Western Province.
This story is a variant of the Indian tale of King Nala and Queen Damayantī. The two dice, Kali and Dwāpara, personified, as well as several Gods, were in love with Damayantī, but she married Nala, selecting him at a Swayamvara (at which a Princess makes her own choice of a husband). In order to separate them, Kali entered Nala when he had neglected his religious practices one day; and he became a drunkard and a gambler, and thus lost his kingdom, which was won by his brother at dice. He and his wife wandered away, and after showing her the path to her father’s kingdom, he abandoned her while she was asleep. He met with Kārkōṭaka, a snake King, and carried him from a fire which scorched him. The snake then bit him on the forehead, causing him to become deformed, and gave him garments which restored his original form when worn; and he entered the service of a King as cook and horse-keeper. Damayantī joined a caravan, and then became a palace attendant of a Queen who proved to be her mother’s sister. A Minister of her father’s recognised her; and on her story’s becoming known her uncle sent her back to her father. She heard of a clever cook and horse-keeper whom she suspected to be Nala; when she got a false notice of a Swayamvara to be sent to the King his employer he made Nala drive him there. Nala was tested in various ways by Damayantī, who at last felt sure of his identity; she then sent for him, and Kali having now left him he told his story, put on his magic garments, and they were re-united. He afterwards recovered his kingdom from his brother.
In the Sinhalese version which has been given, the dice are not mentioned, and the reason why Senasurā brought about the misfortunes of the King and Queen,—that is, his jealousy,—is also not explained.
In Folklore of the Santal Parganas (Rev. Dr. Bodding), p. 144, the story is given without any intervention of the deities or personified dice. After being abandoned, the Princess was engaged as a servant at a palace, and the Prince became a groom at the same place. She saw and recognised him, and afterwards the younger brother restored half the kingdom to him.
[1] The deity of the planet Saturn. [↑]