The story of Nala and Damayanti is one of the most cherished tales from the Mahabharata, often referred to as the Nala-Damayanti Upakhyanam. It is a story of love, virtue, loyalty, and divine intervention. The story is primarily narrated in the Vana Parva (Book of the Forest) of the Mahabharata when the Pandavas are in exile. Here's a detailed retelling of their story:
Background of Nala
Nala was the king of Nishadha, a prosperous and noble ruler known for his valor, wisdom, and skill in charioteering. He was loved by his people and ruled his kingdom with justice. Apart from being a skilled king, he was also famous for his devotion to dharma and his love for animals, especially horses.
Damayanti's Beauty
Damayanti was the daughter of Bhima, the king of Vidarbha. She was renowned across the lands for her stunning beauty, grace, and intelligence. Suitors from far and wide sought her hand in marriage, but her heart had already been won by the fame and virtues of King Nala, even though they had never met.
Nala and Damayanti Fall in Love
Although Nala and Damayanti had never seen each other, they were deeply in love just from hearing tales of each other’s virtues and beauty. Nala sent a swan to Damayanti, which praised him and relayed his feelings for her. The swan, enchanted by Damayanti’s grace, gladly became the messenger of love between the two.
Upon hearing about Nala's noble qualities, Damayanti fell in love with him even more and decided that she would only marry him.
The Swayamvara of Damayanti
King Bhima organized a Swayamvara (a ceremony where a princess chooses her husband from a group of assembled suitors) for Damayanti, inviting kings and princes from all over. Many gods, including Indra (king of the gods), Agni (god of fire), Varuna (god of water), and Yama (god of death) also attended the Swayamvara, having heard of Damayanti's beauty.
However, Damayanti’s heart was set on Nala. Knowing this, the gods approached Nala and asked him to convey a message to Damayanti, urging her to choose one of them instead. Nala, being a man of high moral character, agreed to convey the gods' message even though he loved Damayanti.
When Nala delivered the gods' message to Damayanti, she made it clear that her heart was firmly set on him. On the day of the Swayamvara, the gods took on Nala's appearance to confuse Damayanti. However, Damayanti, by her wisdom and devotion, managed to recognize the real Nala by the signs of sweat, blinking eyes, and his shadow (which the gods lacked) and placed the garland around his neck, choosing him as her husband.
The gods, impressed by her devotion and loyalty, blessed the couple and departed.
Nala’s Downfall
For a while, Nala and Damayanti lived happily as king and queen in the kingdom of Nishadha. However, Kali, the god of discord, who had also desired Damayanti’s hand in marriage, became furious over her choice and sought revenge on Nala. Kali waited for an opportune moment to strike.
After some time, Kali entered Nala's mind and corrupted his judgment, making him succumb to gambling. Nala lost his kingdom, wealth, and all his possessions to his brother Pushkara in a game of dice. Humiliated and penniless, Nala and Damayanti were forced to leave their kingdom and wander in the forests.
Separation of Nala and Damayanti
One night, overcome with shame and despair, Nala decided to leave Damayanti while she slept, thinking that she would be better off without him. Before leaving, he cut off half of her sari so she could still have some dignity. He then wandered through the forests in a distressed state.
Damayanti woke up to find herself alone and heartbroken. She wandered through the forests in search of Nala, facing many hardships along the way. Despite her trials, she remained devoted to Nala and never lost hope of reuniting with him.
Nala’s Transformation into Bahuka
Meanwhile, Nala encountered a snake, Karkotaka, who bit him. However, instead of harming him, the snake’s bite transformed Nala into an ugly dwarf named Bahuka. Karkotaka told Nala that this was to help him remain in disguise until the right time came for him to regain his kingdom and reunite with Damayanti.
Nala, now in the form of Bahuka, found employment as a charioteer in the court of Rituparna, the king of Ayodhya. Rituparna was a skilled gambler, and Nala, in return for his charioteering skills, learned the secrets of dice and gambling from him.
Damayanti’s Plan
Damayanti, on the other hand, returned to her father’s kingdom and, with the help of her father, began searching for Nala. Eventually, she devised a clever plan to reunite with Nala. She sent a message throughout the kingdoms, stating that she was organizing a second Swayamvara, hoping that news of this would reach Nala.
Upon hearing about the Swayamvara, Rituparna decided to attend it, and he requested Bahuka (Nala in disguise) to drive his chariot to Vidarbha, as Nala was the best charioteer. During the journey, Nala's unmatched skill in controlling the horses made Damayanti suspicious that Bahuka might actually be Nala.
Reunion of Nala and Damayanti
When they arrived at Vidarbha, Damayanti tested Bahuka by asking him a series of questions, which confirmed her suspicions. She finally recognized Bahuka as Nala. Upon seeing her, Nala regained his original form with the help of the snake Karkotaka’s blessing.
The couple joyfully reunited, and Nala revealed the story of his hardships and transformation. Damayanti forgave Nala for leaving her and accepted him wholeheartedly.
Nala’s Return to Power
With the knowledge he had gained from King Rituparna, Nala challenged his brother Pushkara to another game of dice. This time, with his newfound skills, Nala won back his kingdom and his wealth. He forgave Pushkara and allowed him to remain in the kingdom, restoring peace and prosperity to Nishadha.
Nala and Damayanti then ruled the kingdom together, living happily ever after.
Themes of the Story
The story of Nala and Damayanti highlights several themes:
- The power of true love and devotion: Despite the hardships, the love between Nala and Damayanti remains strong and unshaken.
- The dangers of gambling: Nala's downfall serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of gambling and losing control over one’s desires.
- Divine intervention: The gods play a significant role in shaping the lives of Nala and Damayanti, both in their struggles and eventual reunion.
- Loyalty and forgiveness: Despite the trials they face, both Nala and Damayanti remain loyal to each other and ultimately forgive each other's mistakes.
The story of Nala and Damayanti is a timeless tale that continues to resonate with readers for its exploration of love, virtue, and the human spirit.
