Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.124

c5.124

“Bāhuka, have you seen a man who had left his sleeping wife in the forest ? Who else, but Nala the famous and the righteous would discard his blameless and loving wife who had been sleeping, with fatigue and hunger in a lonely place? Have I done anything wrong to him in my younger days so that he should leave me in the forest when I was sleeping? Leaving aside real gods I married him. I worshipped, him. I had children from his blood and now he has abandoned me. In the presence of Gods and with fire as witness, holding my hands he had taken a vow that he would support and protect me. Where has that vow gone?" At these words Bāhuka shed tears for a long time. Then he told her all that had happened to him since their separation. Damayantī requested Nala, not to have any misconception regarding the idea of a second svayaṃvara; she said to him that she committed no wrong and that her fidelity and loyalty had undergone no change. At that time Vāyu (the wind-god) in an etherial voice said "Damayantī has committed no sin". Immediately Nala put on the divine clothes given by Karkoṭaka and regained his original form. Damayantī embraced Nala and cried aloud. The king her father, mother and the people of the city all ran to them.