Pushkara () is a character in the ancient Indian epic, the

Mahabharata The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...

, known primarily for his role in the episode of ''

Nala and Damayanti ''Nala and Damayanti'', also known as ''Nalopakhyana'' (Sanskrit title: नलोपाख्यान ''Nalopākhyāna'', i.e., "Episode of Nala"), is an episode from the Culture of India, Indian epic ''Mahabharata''. It is about King Nala and h ...

''. He is the younger brother of King

Nala Nala () is a legendary king of ancient Nishadha kingdom and the central protagonist of the '' Nalopakhyana'', a sub-narrative within the Indian epic '' Mahabharata'', found in its third book, '' Vana Parva'' (Book of the Forest). He is renown ...

of Nishadha and serves as a pivotal antagonist during a key episode of Nala’s life. Scheming with the gandharva

Kali Kali (; , ), also called Kalika, is a major goddess in Hinduism, primarily associated with time, death and destruction. Kali is also connected with transcendental knowledge and is the first of the ten Mahavidyas, a group of goddesses who p ...

, he defeates Nala in a manipulated game of dice, robbing him of his kingdom and riches. Nala later defeats him in a rematch, and is restored as the king. Despite his actions and lust for Nala's wife,

Damayanti Damayanti () is a heroine in ancient Indian literature, primarily known for her role in the episode of ''Nala and Damayanti, Nalopakhyana'', which is embedded within the ''Vana Parva'' (the third book) of the epic ''Mahabharata'' (c. 400 BCE – ...

, Pushkara is forgiven, and the brothers make their peace with each other.

Biography

Pushkara is born to Virasena and is the younger brother of Nala. Twelve years after the marriage of Nala and Damayanti, Nala becomes spiritually defiled, which allows the malevolent spirit Kali to enter and possess him. In this corrupted state, Pushkara chemes with Kali and challenges Nala to a game of dice. Unknown to Nala, Dvāpara, an ally of Kali, has entered the dice themselves, ensuring that Pushkara wins consistently. Nala, under Kali's influence, accepts the challenge and engages in the game, losing repeatedly to Pushkara. The citizens of Niṣadha protest these developments, but Nala, gripped by his addiction and manipulated by supernatural forces, pays no heed. As the losses accumulate, Nala’s position deteriorates drastically. Eventually, he gambles away his entire kingdom to Pushkara, retaining only Damayanti. After this, Pushkara becomes king of Niṣadha. Nala departs the city, wearing only a single garment, and is followed by Damayanti. Pushkara announces execution if anyone tries to help the couple. Three years later, after a series of transformative experiences for Nala, including the loss of his identity and eventual restoration, he returns to Niṣadha. Now restored to his true form and free of Kali’s influence, Nala challenges Pushkara to another game of dice. Confident in his previous success and hopeful of winning Damayanti for himself, Pushkara accepts the rematch. This time, however, the outcome is reversed. Nala defeats Pushkara decisively in the game. Displaying magnanimity and a sense of justice, Nala chooses to forgive Pushkara rather than punish him, and dispatches him from the kingdom. Nala then reclaims his throne and resumes his kingship over Niṣadha.

Sources

* Dowson's Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology

References

Characters in the Mahabharata {{Hindu-myth-stub

Biography

See also

Sources

References