Brihadashava said: -
1. O king! king Nala, having forsaken Damayanti, beheld a great fire breaking out in that dreadful forest.
2. There in the midst of that great fire he heard the voice of some living object, which cried over and over again unto the righteous Nala, Saying-Come hither.
3. Nala answered him, saying-do not fear. Thus saying, he entered into the conflagration and saw there the king of the snakes lying in coils.
4. Thereupon the Naga (the king of the snakes), with folded hands and trembling with fear, addressed Nala. ‘O king! know me that I am Naga (snake), Karkotaka by name.
5. O lord of men! the great sage, Narada, observing rigid austerity, was once deceived by me; and who, again, filled with rage, coursed me, saying:
6. “Remain here like some immovable thing, until king Nala leads you hence. And, indeed, wherever shall he take you, there shall you be released from my curse.”
7. ‘It is owing to his curse that I am unable to move even a step-father. It behoves you, therefore, to release me; and then I will instruct you as regards your welfare.
8. I have not a peer among the snakes; I will be your companion. I am very light. So do you carry me in your hands and speedily go.’
9. Having thus addressed the king, the prince of the snakes assumed the size of the thumb. King Nala, having thus taken him up, repaired to a country, free from the conflagration.
10. Having approached an open ground, free from the fire, Nala was desirous of leaving him, whereupon the Naga (king of the snakes) again said to him: -
11. “O king of the Nishadhas! do you proceed counting your own steps. O mighty-armed warrior! I will render great good to you.”
12. Thereupon the king commenced counting his own steps; and at the tenth step he was bit. Having thus bitten him, the snake soon assumed a speedy change, viz., his original form.
13. Beholding the change of form, Nala became struck with astonishment. The ruler of the earth also beheld the snake to assume his real form.
14. Thereupon the snake, Karkotaka, consoling him, spoke to Nala: - “I have wrought this change of your beauty for the reason that the people will not recognise you.”
15. As I have done this, O Nala, the person, by whom have you been cast into great distress, will dwell within yourself, oppressed by my venom.”
16. O foremost of the kings! as long as the person will not leave you, he shall have to miserably reside in yourself with the whole body filled with my poison.
17. O king of men! from the person by whom, out of anger or hate, have you been cast into distress, I have saved you.
18. O best of kings! O ruler of men! (hitherto fore) you shall have no fear either from the animals with fangs or from your enemies or the Brahmanas conversant with the texts of the Vedas; for I am most graceful to you.
19. O king! you shall feel no uneasiness owing to my venom. O best of kings! you shall ever gain victory in battles.
20-21. O monarch! O the prince of the Nishadhas! do you go from here this day to the city of Ayodhya before Rituparna, who is most skilled in the game at dice, calling yourself that you are the charioteer, Bahuka by name. That king will exchange his skill at dice for your knowledge in the management of horses.
22. That prosperous one, descended from the line of Ikshvaku, will be your friend. Then shall you obtain skillfulness at dice and meet your prosperity.
23. I tell you the truth that you shall find your wife, son and daughter and also obtain your kingdom back and so be not filled with grief.
24. O king of men! when shall you desire to witness your own form, call me back to your mind; and put on these pieces of cloth.
25. Wearing these pieces of cloth, you shall recover your proper form. Having said this, the king of the snakes then gave to him (Nala) two pieces of cloth of superior worth.”
26.O descendant of Kuru! O king! having thus advised Nala and given to him the celestials garment, the monarch of the snakes disappeared then and there.
Thus ends sixty-sixth chapter, the discourse between king Nala and Karkotaka, in the Nalopakhyana of the Vana Parva.