Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.104

c5.104

7) Nala in Ayodhyā. Nala filled with sorrow was walking along the forest when he saw a wild fire. From the midst of the fire somebody was calling Nala by name and crying. When Nala approached the fire, he saw the great and famous serpent Karkoṭaka lying entwined in the flames. Karkoṭaka the King of the Nāgas had once deceived Nārada, who then cursed him that he would become stationary in a place like an immovable thing till Nala came and rescued him. From that day onwards, Karkoṭaka was remaining in that forest without moving. Then the forest caught fire. Karkoṭaka being unable to move had to remain in the fire. Nala immediately saved Karkoṭaka from the fire and with that he was absolved from the curse of Nārada. Karkoṭaka asked Nala to walk forward, counting the steps. When Nala counted ten, Karkoṭaka bit on the leg of Nala and he became ugly. Then the serpent said to the flurried Nala, "Don't fear. I have made you ugly so that others may not recognize you. Now you are ugly because of my poison. But my poison has affected Kali who is in your body. Because he had harmed you who are blameless, he has to suffer for it. So long as this poison is in you, nobody will harm you. You must go to Ṛtuparṇa the King of Ayodhyā and tell him that you are Bāhuka a charioteer. You must give Ṛtuparṇa the spell 'Aśvahṛdaya mantra' and get from him the spell 'Akṣahṛdayamantra'. After that you will have reunion with your wife and children. Here are two cloths for you. Whenever you want to get your original form you need only wear them." Saying these words Karkoṭaka gave Nala two divine garments and then disappeared.