NALA AND DAMAYANTHI

Nala, a character in Hindu mythology, is the king of Nishadha Kingdom, son of Veerasena. Nala is known for his skill with horses and culinary expertise. He married princess Damayanti, of Vidarbha Kingdom after a svayamvara , and their story is told in the Mahabharata.

One day Brihadasva, a reputed sage well-versed in the ancient lore came to Yudhisthira to console him on the loss of his kingdom. Yudhisthira received Brihadasva with great reverence and traditional respect due to a realized soul and said to him, "It is very kind of you to come to me when I am reduced to poverty and shame. I think I am the most unfortunate being ever born on this earth." Brihadasva replied, "Adversity is nothing new. People in difficulties may imagine that they are the most miserable beings in the world. For instance King Nala and Queen Damayanthi suffered more privations and underwent greater misery."

Dharamaputra's interest was roused and he requested the sage to narrate to him the story. Brihadasva narrated the long story, detailing the heart rending hardships which Nala and Damayanthi underwent patiently and how in the end they regained their prosperity. This is one of the ancient stories of Indian Literature and is full of pathos. It is an epic inside an epic and can be cited as an example of literature leading to the catharsis of emotions.

Nala was the ruler of the Nishadha. He was the commander of a vast army and conquered many countries and extended the frontiers of his kingdom from coast to coast. He was renowned as an able administrator and a just ruler. One evening Nala went to the royal park for recreation and rest. He saw a number of swans descending into the park. He appreciated their white wings, graceful gait and pearly plumage. He rushed slowly to catch them and all the birds made their escape with the exception of one. Nala was delighted at the catch. However the bird spoke to Nala in human tones, "Great King, I am glad I am caught: you might have noticed my dilatory demeanour. Very recently I have seen a princess, the most beautiful maiden in the three worlds and I was wondering whether any prince could be found to match her accomplishments. At long last I could spot the worthy prince in you. If you set me at liberty, I will go and tell the same thing to Dhamayanthi, the daughter of King of Vidarbha." Immediately Nala freed the bird and said, "I have already heard of the princess and her exceptional beauty. I am happy that fortune has come to me flying, you can fly back, but please forget me not." The swan flew away. However, Nala stood at the same spot silently till darkness. Nala went to bed dreaming about the swan and recollecting her sweet sentiments.


The swan went to Vidharbha and repeated the performance. This time Damayanthi and her maids caught hold of the swans one each. The swan caught by Damayanthi told her in human tones, "I am coming from Nala, the most handsome prince I have seen in the three worlds. I am wondering whether any princess could be found anywhere to match his attainments. At long last, I could spot out a worthy princess in you. You have to set me at liberty in your own interests." Immediately Damayanthi ordered her maids to free all the swans. She requested the swans to take their bath in the pellucid waters of the artificial lake provided in the royal park and feast on the lotus stems. She requested the swan which spoke to her to go to Nala as her ambassador of love. The swan told her, "Princess Vaidhatbhi, I have seen millions and millions of mortal couples. Pardon me if the husband is intelligent, the wife is not; if the wife is beautiful the husband is ugly; if the wife is dynamic the husband is passive; if one is daring the other is timid;if one is pessimistic the other is optimistic; everywhere incompatibilities are clubbed together in weary wedlock. I prefer to be brief. If you both are married I can proclaim without any fear of contradiction that for the first time in the history of creation there would be a human couple ideally matched and made for each other."

Damayanthi was very much pleased with the sweet words of the swan. The swans flew away after feasting in the lake for some time. Damayanthi stood starring at the horizon silently heaving a sigh quite oblivious of the setting sun and the spreading darkness. Damayanthi went to bed dreaming about Nala, the swan and her sweet sentiments. Nala and Damayanthi, though separated by distance, were suffering from love sickness and spending sleepless nights tormented by the floral shafts of cupid, on beds of tender leaves and lotus stems smearing sandal paste mixed with camphor all over their bodies.

The maids in waiting informed Bhima, the king of Vidharbha that the love-lorn Damayanthi was absent minded and not even taking food or drink. He thought over the matter, decided to proclaim Svayamvara of Damayanthi and invited all the Princes including Nala. Many Princes came to the capital city of Vidharbha followed by huge retinues.

Angels reported to Indra the unprecedented commotion caused on earth on account of Damayanthi's Svayamvara. Indra and three other rulers of celestial regions decided to attend the svayamvara. On the way they saw Nala coming to the svayamvara in his chariot shining like the sun god and descended to the earth. They met him and said introducing themselves, "We are the rulers of celestial regions. Noble prince, we request you to do us a favour." Nala replied, "Please tell me if there is anything I could do for you." The gods said, "Truthful soul, we request you to go to Damayanthi as our ambassador of love. She can marry any one of us; tell that it would be the greatest privilege of any mortal maiden to be the spouse of celestial gods." Nala replied, "You see how embarrassing is the mission to me, it is an irony of human life that I, an aspirant myself, am obliged to be an advocate for you. Alright, I will try to do my duty true to my word to the best of my ability." The gods said, "We bless you, noble prince, with divine powers. You can enter the royal palace invisible to outsiders on your mission."

Nala entered the chambers of Damayanthi in the royal palace and ushered himself into her presence abruptly. Damayanthi and her maids stood up in amazement at the sudden intrusion of a princely stranger. She, recollecting her wits, asked him, "Evidently you must be an extraordinary personality to have entered my chambers unobserved by the guards of the royal palace. May I know who you are and why you have chosen this daring feat fraught with danger to your person?

He replied nonchalantly, "I am Nala, the ruler of Nishadha. For the present I have come as an ambassador of the gods Indra, Varuna, Vayu and Agni. They are fascinated by your beauty and want that you should marry any one of them at the svayamvara. Damayanthi told Nala, "In fact I am quite delighted to see the prince of my dreams. I am a mortal maiden and how can I marry a god. Everything the swan told me about you seems to be true." Nala replied, "I endorse your statement that what the swan has told is true. I see, you are coveted even by the gods, attracted by your beauty and accomplishments. How can mortals go against the wishes of mighty gods? Damayanthi said, "I will commit suicide rather than marry anybody other than the man of my choice. Anyway let them come to the svayamvara and I will place the garland around your neck in their immediate presence." Nala met the gods and apprised them with the determination of Damayanthi.

The svayamvara ceremony was started at the appointed hour. All the princes took their seat. The gods wanted to enjoy some serious fun at the expense of Damayanthi and sat next to Nala, all looking exactly like Nala. Damayanthi arrived on the scene with all the royal fanfare, holding the bridal garland by her right hand. When she looked at the princes seated in the royal auditorium, there were five Nalas instead of one seated in a row. She could easily realize that it was a crafty subterfuge devised by the divine beings. She prayed to them in her heart, "O gods, I have every right to choose my husband. You have absolutely no justification for tormenting me like this, great souls, I request you to show mercy on this mortal maiden.

The gods were pleased with her prayer. Damayanthi could spot out the gods with their static eyelids and their non sweating bodies. On the other hand tiny drops of sweat could be observed on the rosy cheeks of real Nala emitting rainbow colours by the diffusion of scattered rays of light. Damayanthi fastened the bridal garland around Nala's neck. The Brahmins chanted the vedic hymns. The marriage of Nala and Damayanthi was celebrated with royal splendor blessed by the Brahmins. The gods conferred on him great boons. Indra said that he would be personally present at his sacrifices, Agni, the fire god, promised him that he would be at his beck and call. Varuna, the water god and Vayu, the air god agreed to do likewise. The couple departed to Nishadha and lived happily.