Now having the attention of both Yudhishthira and Draupadi, Vyasa continued the story of Nala and Damayanti.

************************************

It was exactly at this moment that the opportunity arose. Nala said his prayers and then went to his bedroom.

“There, we must go now. Nala has dirty feet!” exclaimed Kali. “Finally, I can enter his body and take over his soul. The royal dice lie on that table. Possess them now! We will play a game that ruins his life.”

Now excited by the prospect of some fun, Dwapara moved with speed. “Certainly. It will take but a moment’s time. I will wait patiently,” he responded.

As demons do, Kali quickly flew into Nala’s body and attached himself to his soul causing a sharp twinge of pain for Nala as he did so.

“Ouch!” Nala groaned. His vision changed, as if he had put on the blinders a horse wears. His body no longer felt like he was in control of it. He was worried. “Damayanti?" he called.

“Yes," she replied. She could hear the concern in his voice. “What is wrong, my love?” she asked.

Nala replied gruffly, “Nothing is wrong! Go. Get my brother, Pushkara. I am bored and want to play a game of dice.”

“But it is late. Aren’t you ready for us to go to bed?” Damayanti asked. She knew he enjoyed the game, but did not like to lose. Should he lose, his mood would be sour tomorrow. She didn’t want her wonderful husband to have a bad day.

“Damayanti, do not question me. Do as I say, and get Pushkara,” Nala said sternly.

“As you wish,” she replied in wonder. “I will be back shortly.”

As Damayanti left, Nala wondered why he was being so short with his caring and supportive wife. Deep inside him, Kali laughed, “I am already enjoying this.”

“Nala,” Damayanti called, “Pushkara waits for you in the royal game room.”

“Good. I need no more assistance from you. Stay out of my sight! This is for men,” he growled.

Damayanti was taken aback by his comment. She had no desire to watch him play, but he had never treated her so low, as if she was only a servant girl. “Why do you talk to me this way? Nala, you have not ever treated me like I’m unworthy of being in your presence. I don’t understand why you are acting so different. Are you sure you are all right?” she asked in astonishment.

Nala pondered the question for a moment but couldn’t put his finger on why he was acting in such a manner. “I have already told you there is NOTHING wrong. Never mind your insecurities; they are nonsense. I am going to see my brother,” he said stomping angrily out of the room.

Kali was purposely allowing Nala some control over his thoughts. It was controlling his reactions that brought him devious pleasure.

When Nala entered the game room, Pushkara greeted him. “Good evening, Nala.”

“Let us play dice now,” snipped Nala.

Surprised by his gruff attitude Pushkara asked, “Why at this hour? You know I have not much to wager.”

“Let’s start with your steed. You wager your single steed, and I shall wager twenty of mine. Should you lose, we will continue with the same wager until your first win, or I am ready to go to sleep. I do not wish to sleep and feel lucky, so this should be entertaining. You have nothing to lose until you begin to win,” explained Nala.

Contemplating the proposal, Pushkara replied, “Nala, I have bested you only a few times. However, I do like to play, and your offer is intriguing. Sure! Let’s throw the dice.”

Already in his soul, Kali took complete control of Nala’s body. With a scheming smile and dark black eyes, he picked up the dice enchanted by Dwapara. “Fantastic! Let’s begin,” he said.

Two rolls into the game and Pushkara had won the first wager. As promised, the wager went up from twenty horses to two hundred. When Nala lost all horses, he bet elephants. Each bet increased as promised. They began including other treasures of the kingdom. For two months, Nala ignored his councilmen, Brahmins, even Damayanti when they pleaded with him to stop his careless gambling.

Damayanti was certain something was amiss in Nala’s mind. She called for her charioteer. “Varshneya, please take my children to Vidarbha. Let them know what has happened, and I have asked for you to deliver them to my father’s kingdom for safety until Nala and I arrive. You may stay there or travel on to wherever you want,” she said with tears in her eyes.

He knew this request meant Nala had lost his mind. With sadness in his voice he replied, “Yes. I will do so right now,” and away he ran to prepare the steeds.

Pushkara, now high from winning the whole kingdom, pointed out Nala’s loss. Offering one last bet he said, “Nala, wager Damayanti for the kingdom. Perhaps your luck has turned around.”

It was that fateful moment, Nala’s life as he knew it would drastically change. Kali and Dwapara were ecstatic.

************************************

“Why do men make such ignorant decisions when playing dice?” asked Draupadi. “It doesn’t make sense why the gods interfere in so many events in our life, yet they do not put a stop to such awful ones. They do not appreciate women!”

Vyasa replied, “Draupadi, I understand how it may seem that they do not help, but they always watch and assist when needed. Many times, they have even helped you. It is when you stop believing that it feels like they are not walking with you.”

Now understanding what Vyasa was trying to teach them both, Yudhishthira asked, “Was he able to overcome betting everything?”