The romance of Nala and Damayanti is one of the most enthralling love stories of ancient Indian mythology. From the epic of Mahabharata comes this ageless narrative of love, destiny, and tenacity. The affair between the virtuous princess Damayanti and the noble king Nala was tried by the malicious hands of destiny, but their steadfast devotion finally overcame all trials. Their affair is replete with trial, passion, separation, and final reunion, and it is one of India’s most beloved love stories.
Nala and Damayanti: A Fated Love
Nala, the king of Nishadha, was famous for his courage, virtue, and horse racing skills. His reputation as a fair and virtuous king spread far and wide. Damayanti, the princess of Vidarbha, was renowned for her divine beauty and wisdom. She was sought after by numerous kings, but fate had other things in store.
One day, in Nala’s court, Damayanti was praised highly for her beauty by the celestial sage Narada. The mere mention of her name kindled deep admiration in the heart of Nala. Similarly, Damayanti had also heard stories of Nala’s virtues and fell in love with him even without seeing him.
Their love was so great that even before meeting each other, their souls got attached.
The Swayamvara of Damayanti
In ancient times, princesses used to select their husbands by a grand ceremony known as Swayamvara, where the suitors would contend for their hand in marriage. When Damayanti attained the marriage age, her father, King Bhima of Vidarbha, hosted a grand swayamvara and invited all the virtuous kings of the kingdom.
However, the gods themselves were enamored by Damayanti’s beauty. Four celestial deities—Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Yama—decided to attend the swayamvara to win her hand. To ensure their victory, they devised a plan to prevent Nala from reaching the event.
One night, while Nala slept, these gods came to see him. They asked him to go as their messenger and tell Damayanti that they wanted to marry her. Reluctant as he was, but being an honest man, Nala consented to convey their message.
With the gods’ blessings, he entered Damayanti’s chambers. Upon seeing him, Damayanti was mesmerized by his charm and nobility. When he conveyed the gods’ proposal, she firmly declared that she had already chosen him as her husband. She prayed that her swayamvara would allow her to choose Nala over the gods.
A Test of Love and Wit
The four gods on the day of the swayamvara disguised themselves as Nala, and it became impossible for Damayanti to identify the real one. But her love and devotion endowed her with divine vision. She watched carefully and saw that the gods did not blink or perspire, but the real Nala, being human, exhibited these natural characteristics.
With unflinching determination, Damayanti crowned Nala with flowers, and he became her husband. The gods, gratified by her wisdom and loyalty, blessed the couple and departed. Her love had won in this first test of destiny.
The Curse of Kali and Nala’s Downfall
Though their love was admired by all, not everybody was happy. The evil force Kali, the personification of conflict and evil, was deeply resentful towards Nala. He had desired Damayanti for himself but had come too late to the swayamvara. Seething with anger, Kali swore to destroy Nala’s life.
He patiently waited for Nala to make a slip. Years went by, and one evening Nala forgot to wash his hands before prayer. This small fault gave Kali an opportunity to enter his heart, infusing him with greed and rashness.
Influenced by Kali, Nala grew to have an uncontrollable urge to gamble. His brother Pushkara took every opportunity to tease him and issued a challenge to a dice game. Nala, driven by an unnatural compulsion, wagered away his riches, kingdom, and ultimately, his very self.
Defeated and bereft of all possessions, Nala was compelled to become an exile. Sorrowful but loyal, Damayanti decided to follow him, even during his most trying periods.
Separation and Trials in the Wilderness
While roaming in the woods, hunger and sorrow began to take its toll on Nala’s morale. In desperation, he left Damayanti when she was asleep, believing that she would be safer without him. When she awoke to find herself abandoned, she was heartbroken but not lost to hope.
Damayanti roamed about in the dense forests, battling wild beasts and unfavorable weather. She finally came to the kingdom of Chedi and took refuge in the palace of Queen Sunanda, who made her a maid.
While Nala was traveling, he met a supernatural serpent called Karkotaka, who perceived his agony. Karkotaka bit Nala, not to kill him, but to remove the effect of Kali. Due to this, Nala’s transformation became so dramatic that he was no longer recognizable. The serpent told him to work for the king of Ayodhya, Rituparna, and master the game of dice from him.
The Reunification of Nala and Damayanti
Back in Vidarbha, Damayanti’s father, King Bhima, learned of her suffering and vowed to find Nala. He devised a clever plan—he announced another swayamvara for Damayanti, hoping it would lure Nala out of hiding.
When Rituparna heard this news, the dice master attended the function along with his mysterious charioteer (Nala in disguise). On the way, Nala demonstrated his unparalleled horse racing skills by traveling a huge distance in one day.
It being this special gift, Damayanti had suspicions that the charioteer was indeed Nala. She came up with a test—she sent half-cooked food to him, for she knew that only Nala could finish cooking it perfectly. When she got the food back, perfectly cooked, she knew she had her husband.
Damayanti confronted Nala, who revealed his identity. They were filled with joy and reunited, and with the assistance of King Bhima, Nala regained his kingdom by winning a just dice game against Pushkara.
The Victory of Love and Destiny
Nala governed wisely and happily with Damayanti after his kingdom was restored. Their love had overcome fate’s trials, demonstrating that pure devotion overcomes all challenges.
The story of Nala and Damayanti is not merely a love story; it is a lesson in perseverance, trust, and the strength of love. In spite of the heartless turns of fate, their unshakeable devotion to one another finally brought them together again, proving that true love is timeless and indestructible.
Conclusion
The story of Nala and Damayanti remains an inspiration to generations through its message of love, sacrifice, and endurance. It is a reminder that though fate will challenge us in ways beyond imagination, righteousness and true love never fail. Their tale remains one of the finest love sagas in Indian folklore, a testament to the fact that no power, not even destiny, can keep two hearts apart.
