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A terrible serpent.

Birth.

This serpent was born to °­²¹Å›²â²¹±è²¹ by his wife °­²¹»å°ùÅ«.

The curse.

Once °­²¹°ù°ì´Çá¹­a°ì²¹ cheated the sage ±·Äå°ù²¹»å²¹. The angry sage cursed him and said that he would have to remain without the power of movements in the forest till Nala came to rescue him. From that day °­²¹°ù°ì´Çá¹­a°ì²¹ lived in that forest, awaiting the arrival of Nala.

Nala and °­²¹°ù°ì´Çá¹­a°ì²¹.

Once a wild fire spread all over the forest. °­²¹°ù°ì´Çá¹­a°ì²¹ whose power of movement was destroyed by ±·Äå°ù²¹»å²¹â€™s curse, cried aloud, calling upon Nala to come and save him. It was at this time that Nala arrived at the spot after leaving ¶Ù²¹³¾²¹²â²¹²Ô³ÙÄ« in the forest. Nala came to him, on hearing his cries. The serpent informed Nala about the story of ±·Äå°ù²¹»å²¹â€™s curse and reducing himself to the size of a thumb sat on the ground. Nala removed him to a safe spot away from the fire. The serpent asked Nala to walk a few steps counting his footsteps. Nala did so and at the tenth step, °­²¹°ù°ì´Çá¹­a°ì²¹ stung him and his whole body was turned blue. Suddenly °­²¹°ù°ì´Çá¹­a°ì²¹ assumed his own original shape and spoke to Nala as follows:â€�"I have changed your appearance so that people may not be able to recognize you. Kali who is troubling you, still lives within you. It is he who is affected by my poison. You need not fear danger from poison any more. You will never be defeated in battle. Go and engage yourself as the charioteer of Ṛt³Ü±è²¹°ùṇa, King of ´¡²â´Ç»å³ó²âÄå. You will teach him AÅ›vahá¹›daya mantra. In return for it he will teach you Aká¹£ahá¹›daya mantra. Here are two garments which I give you. If you put them on, you will be restored to your own shape. May you be blessed again with a happy family life." After saying this, °­²¹°ù°ì´Çá¹­a°ì²¹ vanished. (²Ñ²¹³óÄå²ú³óÄå°ù²¹³Ù²¹ Vana Parva, Chapter 66).