“Lord Kali,” said Indra, “tell me, I pray you, where you are going with Dwapara as your companion.” “Lord Indra,” said Kali, “the fame of the beauty of Damayanti, princess of Vidarbha, has reached my ears and has filled me with longing for her. Now it so happened that as Indra and Agni and Varuna and Yama were returning from the Swayamvara they met the god Kali and with him was his companion Dwapara. Nor was there anywhere a king so glad or so fortunate as Nala. There he gave her as a dwelling a beautiful palace surrounded by woods and pleasure grounds so that in all India there was no happier queen than Damayanti. A few days later King Nala took leave of King Bhima and in his chariot bore Damayanti away to the country of the Nishadas. The downfall after MarriageĪfter the Swayamvara was over, King Bhima called together his Brahmans and they joined the youth and maid in marriage. With confidence, the princess went on to secure the garland on Nala’s neck and was soon married. While King Nala sat rosy-cheeked with tiny beads of perspiration. Damyanti being the ever so wise princess could spot out the Gods with their static eyelids and bodies that did not sweat. Some legend has it that the Gods took the form of Nala, which meant 5 Nalas could be seen visiting to marry Damyanti. Among all gods, She chose Nala because of his shadow. She calls after Hari and is bestowed with an idea. “Anguished, she calls upon Hari who guides her actions and enables her to know which is truly Nal. Damayanti is presented with two Nala and so she must choose the one she loves. This was attended by gods and humans alike. Damayanti’s Swayamvaraĭamayanti father’s announces a swayamvara. However, Indra realizes that he must resort to deceit in order to win Damayanti, and so he decides to take the form of Nal. Lord Indra finds out that Nal is in love with Damayanti and demands him not to marry her or else he will have to pay for his actions. The swan flew to Damayanti’s palace and finding her alone in the garden, sang praises of Nala When the swan arrived inured, Nala takes care of the goose and instead of continuing its journey, the goose decides to choose Nala as the rightful husband of Damayanti. However, despite being one of the most handsome men of his time, he was still unmarried. He was also very fond of playing dice, but not adept at it. He was a very capable king, and his country prospered under his rule. However, the goose that had been sent to Indra holding the invitation to the marriage was hit by a storm and lands in the kingdom of a handsome king named Nala. They considered Lord Indra to be the perfect match for Damayanti and so a swan with the invitation was sent to God. Their story also runs parallel with the Pandavas. Like all great stories, this comes with their share of love, opposition, deceit, war, and finally sweet reunion in the end.
The story runs parallel with Bhakti raas that means complete belief and undying faith in the divine. Sage Brihadasva in his attempt to console the Pandavas over their loss in gambling stated the story of King Nala and Queen Damyanti and their sufferings and faith during their trail of adversities, according to the Vana Prava book of Mahabharata. But one such story emerges from the epic Mahabharata where love doesn’t just mean attraction or lust, but perseverance and hope, and that is the story of Nala and Damayanti. Wars were fought, curses have been thrown all in the name of Love.
Even Gods weren’t immune to the charm of love. While the newer generation begs to differ, examples have been set about the undying love in history books and religious ones as well. Love conquers all, the high and the lows the joys, and the sorrows.
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