Nala was the King of the Nishadas and the son of Virasena. Renowned for his wisdom and nobility, Nala was exceedingly handsome and possessed profound knowledge of horses, a skill that would later become instrumental in his life. He heard of the divine beauty of Damayanti, the princess of Vidarbha, and fell deeply in love with her without ever having seen her. Similarly, Damayanti had also resolved to marry Nala, solely by hearing of his virtuous deeds and unmatched beauty, demonstrating a love that transcended mere physical attraction and was rooted in mutual admiration of their qualities.
| Character | Relation | Notable Qualities |
|---|---|---|
| Nala | King of Nishadas, son of Virasena | Handsome, skilled in horsemanship, virtuous |
| Damayanti | Princess of Vidarbha | Known for her divine beauty and unwavering devotion to Nala |
The Swayamvara of Damayanti and the Test of Divine Fidelity
When the Swayamvara (self-choice ceremony) of Damayanti was held, many suitors gathered to win her hand, including the celestial gods Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Yama. These gods, each powerful and illustrious, desired Damayanti and traveled to Vidarbha, intending to marry her. When they learned of Damayanti’s unwavering love for Nala, they decided to test her fidelity. Each of the gods assumed the form of Nala and entered the ceremonial hall, making it impossible for Damayanti to distinguish the real Nala from the gods.
In her devotion and desperation, Damayanti prayed to the gods to reveal their true forms. Moved by her devotion and faithfulness, the gods relinquished their claim on her and blessed the couple, allowing Damayanti to choose Nala as her husband. This divine test not only underscored Damayanti’s unwavering love but also highlighted the gods’ respect for human devotion and the sanctity of true love.
| God | Role in Swayamvara | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Indra | Desired to marry Damayanti | Tested her devotion to Nala |
| Agni | Another suitor | Assumed Nala’s form |
| Varuna | Suitor for Damayanti | Blessed her choice of Nala |
| Yama | God of Death, desired Damayanti | Ultimately respected her decision |
Kali’s Curse and Nala’s Downfall
However, not all the gods were benevolent in their reaction to Damayanti’s choice. Kali, the deity of the fourth (and malevolent) era, felt slighted and sought revenge. He resolved to ruin Nala, but was unable to harm him as long as the king adhered to the path of virtue. Over time, Nala and Damayanti had twin children: a boy named Indrasena and a girl, also named Indrasena.
One day, when Nala went to perform his evening prayers without properly purifying himself, Kali saw his opportunity and entered Nala’s body, corrupting his mind. Under Kali’s malevolent influence, Nala developed a compulsion for gambling, a vice that led him to lose his entire kingdom to his cousin Pushkara. Pushkara, taking advantage of Nala’s misfortune, banished him and Damayanti to the forest, allowing them only a single piece of cloth each. Meanwhile, Damayanti sent their children to her father’s kingdom for safety. In the forest, still under the influence of Kali, Nala abandoned Damayanti, leaving her alone to face the hardships of the wilderness.
| Character | Role in Nala’s Downfall | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Kali | Entered Nala’s body, causing his gambling addiction | Led to Nala’s loss of his kingdom |
| Pushkara | Nala’s cousin who won the kingdom through gambling | Exiled Nala and Damayanti to the forest |
Damayanti’s Trials and Nala’s Transformation
Alone in the forest, Damayanti underwent many hardships before she found asylum in the court of the Princess of Chedi, where she took on the role of a handmaiden, concealing her true identity. Meanwhile, Nala continued his wanderings until he encountered Karkotaka, a Naga (serpent) who had been cursed by sage Narada to suffer in a fire. When Nala rescued the serpent from the flames, Karkotaka repaid his kindness by biting him. However, the venom did not harm Nala but instead afflicted Kali, who had been residing in Nala’s body, forcing him to depart. As a result, Nala was freed from Kali’s influence but was transformed into an ugly dwarf, making it easier for him to move about unnoticed.
In his new guise as Vahuka, Nala sought employment with King Rituparna of Ayodhya, known for his expertise in dice. While serving as Rituparna’s charioteer, Nala bided his time, learning the secrets of dice from the king in exchange for sharing his own profound knowledge of horses.
| Character | Role | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Damayanti | Endured trials in the forest | Became a handmaiden, concealing her identity |
| Karkotaka | Naga whom Nala saved | Freed Nala from Kali’s influence, transformed him into Vahuka |
| Rituparna | King of Ayodhya, skilled in dice | Nala learned dice skills from him, gaining a way to reclaim his kingdom |
Damayanti’s Plan and the Reunion of Nala and Damayanti
Meanwhile, Damayanti’s father, King Bhima of Vidarbha, sent out messengers in search of his daughter and son-in-law. Eventually, Damayanti was discovered in the kingdom of Chedi and brought home. To find Nala, Damayanti devised a clever plan: she announced a second Swayamvara, hoping to draw Nala back to her. When the news reached Ayodhya, King Rituparna, along with his charioteer Vahuka (Nala), set out for Vidarbha to attend the ceremony. Along the journey, Rituparna taught Nala the art of playing dice skillfully, while Nala shared his knowledge of horses. This exchange proved pivotal, as it expelled the last remnants of Kali’s influence from Nala’s body.
Upon reaching Vidarbha, Nala did not immediately reveal himself, as he believed that Damayanti had moved on from him. However, with the help of her trusted servant Keshini, Damayanti discovered that Vahuka was, in fact, her husband Nala. The two were finally reunited, and their love and devotion to each other remained undiminished despite the trials they had endured.
| Character | Role in Reunion | Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Damayanti | Devised a second Swayamvara as a ruse | Drew Nala back to Vidarbha |
| Rituparna | Shared the art of dice with Nala | Freed Nala from Kali’s lingering influence |
| Keshini | Damayanti’s trusted servant | Helped identify Vahuka as Nala |
Nala’s Victory Over Pushkara and the Restoration of His Kingdom
With his newfound skill in the art of dice, Nala returned to his kingdom and challenged Pushkara to a game. This time, Nala played with confidence and strategy, thanks to the knowledge he had acquired from Rituparna. Nala won back his kingdom from Pushkara, reclaiming his throne and restoring peace and prosperity to his people. In a gesture of forgiveness and magnanimity, Nala spared Pushkara’s life, embodying the ideals of mercy and compassion despite the hardships Pushkara had caused him.
Nala and Damayanti lived happily together, enjoying a life of mutual respect, love, and wisdom. Their trials and eventual reunion symbolize the power of true love and the resilience of dharma, as they overcame adversity with virtue and devotion. The story of Nala and Damayanti is a testament to the strength of love, the importance of steadfastness in the face of suffering, and the value of redemption and forgiveness.
| Event | Outcome | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Challenge to Pushkara | Nala wins back his kingdom | Restoration of justice and dharma |
| Forgiving Pushkara | Nala spares his cousin’s life | Symbolizes compassion and forgiveness |
| Reunion with Damayanti | Nala and Damayanti live happily together | Represents the triumph of love and resilience |
Legacy of Nala and Damayanti’s Story
The story of Nala and Damayanti has remained an enduring tale within Hindu mythology, celebrated for its profound lessons on love, loyalty, dharma, and resilience. Their narrative teaches that true love can withstand trials, that righteousness and self-control lead to eventual victory, and that forgiveness is a virtue that restores peace. Nala’s redemption and his reunion with Damayanti serve as
powerful examples of the journey through adversity, self-transformation, and the eventual restoration of one’s true self.
Their story has been narrated in the Mahabharata and retold in various Hindu texts and folklore, often compared to other tales of devoted love and resilience, such as Rama and Sita and Savitri and Satyavan. Each of these tales underscores the importance of loyalty, devotion, and faith in dharma, even in the face of overwhelming challenges.
| Theme | Other Comparable Stories | Lesson |
|---|---|---|
| Love and Loyalty | Rama and Sita, Savitri and Satyavan | True love endures adversity |
| Self-Transformation | Nala’s journey from king to Vahuka | Strength found in humility and self-discovery |
| Resilience and Forgiveness | Nala’s compassion towards Pushkara | The power of forgiveness and resilience in overcoming karma |
Through the trials of Nala and Damayanti, Hindu mythology reveals the cyclical nature of human experiences, the inescapable influence of karma, and the strength that comes from enduring adversity with virtue. Their story continues to inspire and remind us that dharma and devotion ultimately lead to redemption and fulfillment.