Nala – King of Nishadas – Indian Mythology

नल

The story of Nala and Damayanti is one of the most captivating love stories in Hindu mythology, combining elements of divine favor, treachery, redemption, and undying love. Nala, known for his remarkable beauty and his unmatched knowledge of horses, was the king of the Nishadas and the son of Virasena. Below is a detailed account of his life, his relationship with Damayanti, and the many trials they endured, along with related figures and events in Hindu mythology.

Nala: The Handsome King of the Nishadas

Nala was the king of the Nishadas, a tribe often associated with the wilderness and forests. He was not only famous for his handsomeness but also for his exceptional skill with horses, making him a great charioteer. His reputation for virtuous deeds and noble character spread far and wide, reaching even the divine beings. This reputation is what first attracted Damayanti, the princess of Vidarbha, to Nala, even though she had never seen him.

Name	Relation	Role in Hindu Mythology
Nala	King of the Nishadas, Son of Virasena	Handsome, skilled with horses, virtuous ruler, husband of Damayanti
Virasena	Father	King of the Nishadas

The Love Between Nala and Damayanti

Damayanti, the daughter of King Bhima of Vidarbha, was renowned for her divine beauty. She, too, heard of Nala’s virtues and resolved to marry him, despite never having met him. Similarly, Nala had fallen in love with Damayanti simply by hearing about her beauty and grace. Their love for one another was rooted in the stories they had heard, a rare and profound connection that transcended physical interaction.

Character	Role in the Story
Damayanti	Princess of Vidarbha, renowned for beauty and virtue, wife of Nala

The Swayamvara and the Gods’ Intervention

When it came time for Damayanti’s Swayamvara (a self-choice ceremony where the princess selects her husband), not only did mortal princes arrive to seek her hand, but even the gods desired to marry her. Indra (god of rain and king of the gods), Agni (god of fire), Varuna (god of water), and Yama (god of death) all appeared in Vidarbha, intent on espousing her.

However, Damayanti had already resolved to choose Nala. When the gods realized this, they each assumed the form of Nala to confuse her. Unable to distinguish between her beloved and the gods, Damayanti prayed for their mercy. Touched by her devotion to Nala, the gods revealed their true forms and blessed the couple instead of competing for her hand.

God	Role in the Event
Indra	King of the gods, initially sought Damayanti as a wife
Agni	God of fire, present at the Swayamvara
Varuna	God of water, present at the Swayamvara
Yama	God of death, present at the Swayamvara

Kali’s Curse and Nala’s Downfall

Although the gods blessed Nala and Damayanti, Kali, the deity of the Kali Yuga (the dark age), was infuriated by being spurned. Determined to exact revenge, Kali sought to ruin Nala’s life. However, he could not harm Nala as long as the king remained virtuous.

One day, Nala neglected to purify himself before his evening prayers, which gave Kali an opportunity to possess him. Under Kali’s influence, Nala fell into a disastrous gambling habit. He wagered his kingdom in a dice game against his fraternal cousin Pushkara and lost everything. As a result, Nala and Damayanti were forced into exile in the forest, clad only in a single piece of cloth each.

Character	Role in the Event
Kali	Deity of the dark age, possessed Nala and caused his downfall
Pushkara	Cousin of Nala, won Nala’s kingdom through deceitful gambling

Exile and Separation from Damayanti

Nala and Damayanti’s life in the forest was filled with hardship. Though they shared deep love for one another, Nala’s mind was still clouded by Kali’s influence. In a moment of despair, Nala abandoned Damayanti, leaving her to fend for herself in the wilderness. Damayanti endured great suffering but eventually found refuge as a handmaiden in the kingdom of Chedi, keeping her identity a secret.

Meanwhile, Nala wandered alone until he encountered a Naga (serpent) named Karkotaka, who had been cursed by Sage Narada. Nala saved Karkotaka from a fire, and in gratitude, the Naga bit Nala—not to harm him, but to drive out Kali from his body. The bite transformed Nala into an ugly dwarf, giving him a new identity as Vahuka. Nala then took service as a charioteer under King Rituparna of Ayodhya, waiting for an opportunity to reclaim his life.

Event	Details
Karkotaka	Naga saved by Nala, who expelled Kali from Nala’s body through a venomous bite
Vahuka	Nala’s new identity after being transformed into an ugly dwarf
Rituparna	King of Ayodhya, under whom Nala worked as a charioteer

Damayanti’s Second Swayamvara and the Reunion

Back in Vidarbha, King Bhima was searching for his daughter and son-in-law. He eventually found Damayanti and brought her back to the kingdom. In a clever ruse to bring Nala back, Damayanti announced a second Swayamvara, knowing that Nala would hear of it.

Nala, unaware of Damayanti’s true intentions, was deeply hurt by the idea of her remarrying. He drove King Rituparna to Vidarbha in a single day, demonstrating exceptional knowledge of horses. Along the way, Rituparna taught Nala the secrets of gambling in exchange for Nala’s knowledge of horses. This exchange expelled the last traces of Kali from Nala’s body.

Upon arriving in Vidarbha, Nala still did not reveal his identity. With the help of Damayanti’s servant Keshini, Damayanti discovered that Vahuka was actually her husband. The couple was finally reunited, and Nala’s external appearance was restored to his original handsome form.

Event	Details
Second Swayamvara	A ruse created by Damayanti to lure Nala back to her
Rituparna’s Lesson	Taught Nala the secrets of gambling, expelling Kali from his body
Reunion	Damayanti and Nala were reunited with the help of Keshini

Nala’s Return to His Kingdom

With his newfound skill in gambling, Nala returned to challenge his cousin Pushkara. This time, Nala won back his kingdom through a fair game of dice. Pushkara, ashamed of his earlier treachery, was forgiven by Nala. Nala and Damayanti returned to their kingdom, where they ruled justly and lived happily for many years.

Event	Details
Nala’s Victory	Nala won back his kingdom from Pushkara through a fair game of dice
Forgiveness	Nala forgave Pushkara for his earlier betrayal

Key Figures Related to Nala

Character	Relation to Nala	Significance
Damayanti	Wife	Princess of Vidarbha, renowned for her loyalty and devotion to Nala
Kali	Deity of the dark age	Possessed Nala and led to his downfall
Pushkara	Cousin	Deceived Nala into losing his kingdom through gambling
Karkotaka	Naga	Helped Nala expel Kali and regain control of his life
Rituparna	King of Ayodhya	Employed Nala as a charioteer and taught him the secrets of gambling
Keshini	Damayanti’s servant	Aided in the reunion of Nala and Damayanti

Conclusion

The story of Nala and Damayanti is a tale of love, loss, redemption, and the power of virtue. Their unwavering love for each other, despite the influence of evil forces and the hardships they endured, demonstrates the strength of devotion and righteousness. N