Maharishi Vrihadaswa
Other names: Bṛhadaśva; Brihadashva; Vrihadaswa. A sage who met Yudhishthira during the Pandavas’ exile and narrated the story of Nala and Damayanti to console him after the dice-game calamity. He is also associated with teaching Yudhishthira the mysteries of dice.
“Vrihadaswa said, ‘O king, O thou that never fallest off, listen attentively with thy brothers, I will narrate the history of a prince more miserable than thyself. There was a celebrated king among the Nishadhas, named Virasena. He had a son named Nala, versed in (the knowledge of) virtue and wealth. It hath been heard by us that, that king was deceitfully defeated by Pushkara, and afflicted with calamity, he dwelt in the woods with his spouse. And, O king, while he was living in the forest, he had neither servants nor cars, neither brother nor friends with him. But thou art surrounded by thy heroic brothers like unto the celestials, and also by foremost regenerate ones like unto Brahma himself. Therefore, it behoveth thee not to grieve.’ – The Mahabharata, Book 3: Vana Parva: Nalopakhyana Parva: Section LII
