Nala-Damayanti: Love Story Against All Odds
- nasturtus
- Dec 28, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 26
Nala and Damayanti: More than a Love Story
The story of Nala and Damayanti, nestled within the vast epic of the Mahabharata, is much more than a simple love story. It's a tale of love defying misfortune, of gambling's perils, and the transformative power of exile.
Told by the sage Brihadashva to a despondent Yudhisthira during the Pandavas' exile, and when Arjuna was away in Indraloka seeking astras for the coming war, it serves as a source of solace and guidance.
Nala—King of the Nishadas
While the story is renowned for its romantic elements, it begins with a portrayal of Nala's inner turmoil even before he sets eyes on Damayanti. Though a powerful and righteous king, Nala had a love for gambling. When the time came, this weakness, combined with his extraordinary handsomeness and prowess, made him a prime target for malevolent forces.
A Swan's Love Song
Damayanti, the princess of Vidarbha, and Nala hear about each other through their maidservants, travelling storytellers, and acquaintances. Their virtues were praised throughout the land and captivated each other's heart, even though they had never met.
One day, while wandering in a grove, Nala encountered a flock of swans with golden wings. He captured one, and the swan, in exchange for its freedom, promised to sing Nala's praises to Damayanti, ensuring her heart would be filled with thoughts of him alone. True to its word, the swan flew to Vidarbha and, in human language, extolled Nala's virtues to Damayanti, igniting a reciprocal yearning in her heart.
Damayanti's Distress
Consumed by thoughts of the unseen Nala, Damayanti fell into a deep melancholy. She lost interest in her usual pleasures, grew pale and thin, and spent her days sighing and gazing at the sky.
Alarmed by her daughter's deteriorating condition, Damayanti's mother informed King Bhima, who, recognizing the signs of lovesickness, decided to arrange a swayamvara for his daughter, hoping she would find solace in choosing a husband.
A Divine Errand
News of Damayanti's swayamvara reached the celestial realm, piquing the interest of the gods themselves. Indra, along with Agni, Varuna, and Yama, decided to attend, each hoping to win Damayanti's hand.
On their way, they encountered Nala, whose radiant beauty astounded them. Indra, recognizing Nala's noble character, tasked him with being their messenger to Damayanti and asked him to to convince Damayanti to choose one of the devas.
Nala, bound by his word, reluctantly agreed and was granted access to Damayanti's heavily guarded chamber through Indra's divine power.
Kali's Curse and Nala's Downfall
Nala delivered the gods' proposal, but Damayanti, her heart set on Nala, boldly declared her love for him and devised a plan to choose him at the swayamvara without offending the gods.
While the gods accepted her choice, Kali, the spirit of vice and strife, felt slighted and enraged by Damayanti's preference for a mortal over celestial beings. He vowed to exact revenge on both Nala and Damayanti.
True to his word, Kali possessed Nala and exploited his weakness for gambling. With Dwaparas's help, he manipulated a game of dice between Nala and his brother, Pushkara, leading to Nala's devastating loss. Blinded by Kali's influence, Nala gambled away his kingdom, riches, and possessions, much to the despair of his subjects and Damayanti.
A Test of Love and Resilience
Stripped of their worldly belongings, Nala and Damayanti wandered into the forest, facing hardship and humiliation. Yet, Damayanti remained steadfast in her devotion, choosing to share her husband's fate rather than return to the comfort of her father's kingdom.
One fateful night, as they slept in a deserted dwelling, Nala, consumed by guilt and despair, decided to abandon Damayanti, believing she would be better off without him. He tore off half of her garment and fled into the darkness.
Awakening to find herself alone, Damayanti was plunged into a sea of grief and fear. She wandered through the perilous forest, calling out for Nala, her heart torn between anger and enduring love. In a cruel twist of fate, she was attacked by a giant boa constrictor. Fortunately, a hunter appeared and rescued her.
A Glimmer of Hope
While wandering in search of Nala, Damayanti encountered a group of sages who, through their ascetic powers, prophesied that she would be reunited with Nala, free from Kali's influence.
Filled with renewed hope, Damayanti continued her journey and eventually found refuge in the kingdom of Chedi, where she served as a maidservant in the royal palace.
Damayanti is eventually reunited with her family. She instructs her father King Bhima to send a search party to look for Nala, providing a poignant message as the only means of identification.
Karkotaka transforms Nala
Nala, on the other hand, encounters Karkotaka, a mighty snake, after he abandons Damayanti in the forest. Karkotaka is trapped in a fire due to a curse. Nala helps Karkotaka escape the fire, and in return, Karkotaka bites Nala, transforming him into a dwarf to disguise him from his enemies.
Karkotaka explains that he has absorbed Nala's beauty, and that Kali, who is responsible for Nala's misfortunes, will suffer from Karkotaka's venom as long as he resides within Nala. Karkotaka also asks Nala to go to King Rituparna of Ayodhya to learn the art of dice in exchange for Nala's skills with horses.
Nala, now disguised as an ugly dwarf named Bahuka, finds employment as a cook and charioteer in the kingdom of Ayodhya. Later, when Nala learns the art of dice from King Rituparna, Kali leaves Nala's body, vomiting Karkotaka's venom. This event frees Nala from Kali's influence.
Reunited by Wit and Resilience
Damayanti eventually learns of Nala's whereabouts through a traveler, who unwittingly reveals the location of the best cook he had encountered. Recognizing the possibility of this being Nala, she hatches a clever plan. Using the rumor of a second svayamvara, she lures Nala/Bahuka to Vidarbha, knowing his love for her would compel him to come.
Upon Nala's arrival, Damayanti's conviction that Bahuka is indeed Nala is confirmed by his royal aura that even inanimate objects seem to acknowledge. Nala, transformed by Karkotaka the Naga into this deformed state as punishment for his flaws, reveals his true identity.
Karkotaka, a significant character in this subplot, represents a force of retribution and transformation. Through his intervention, Nala is forced to confront his actions and learn from his mistakes.
Finally reunited, Nala reclaims his kingdom and they live happily ever after. The story ends with Brihadashva assuring Yudhishtira that he too will regain his lost glory, just as Nala did.
Enduring Significance and Cultural Impact
The story of Nala and Damayanti has transcended the confines of the Mahabharata to become a celebrated tale in South Asian literature and art.
It resonates culturally and emotionally due to its timeless themes:
Love against all odds: Nala and Damayanti's love endures separation, disguise, and misfortune, offering a powerful message of hope and resilience.
The perils of gambling: The story serves as a cautionary tale against the destructive nature of gambling, a vice that can strip individuals of their dignity and possessions.
The transformative power of exile: Both Nala and the Pandavas experience exile as a period of self-discovery, forcing them to confront their flaws and emerge as stronger individuals.
Lessons from Exile: Nala, Pandavas, and Personal Growth
The transformative power of exile is a key theme. Both Nala and the Pandavas are stripped of their identities and forced to confront their vulnerabilities.
Nala, disguised as Bahuka, learns humility and masters the art of dice, skills that ultimately help him reclaim his kingdom. Similarly, the Pandavas, during their incognito exile, learn to live amongst common people, developing empathy and understanding that will shape their future rule.
Damayanti's "Cup Half Full" Perspective
Damayanti's strength lies not only in her unwavering loyalty but also in her ability to maintain a positive outlook amidst adversity.
When Nala loses everything, she helps him to focus on the fact that he still has her.
When abandoned in the forest, she actively searches for him, trusting in their love and eventual reunion.
Even when faced with a serpent attack, she expresses concern for Nala's well-being more than her own.
Quiz
Who narrated the story of Nala-Damayanti to Yudhisthira when Arjuna was away in Indraloka to secure astras?
Rishi Vaisampayana
Rishi Brihadashva
Rishi Vyasa
Vidura
Answer
Rishi Brihadashva
What task did Indra assign to Nala?
To find a suitable husband for Damayanti
To arrange the swayamvara ceremony
To protect Damayanti from danger
To convince Damayanti to choose one of the devas
Answer
To convince Damayanti to choose one of the devas
Why did Damayanti's mother become concerned about her daughter's condition?
Damayanti was spending too much time outdoors
Damayanti was neglecting her royal duties
Damayanti was eating less and losing weight
Damayanti was showing signs of madness
Answer
Damayanti was eating less and losing weight
Who collaborated with Kali to make life difficult for Nala and Damayanti?
Dwapara
Yama
Treta
Kreta
Answer
Dwapara
Who transformed Nala into a dwarf named Bahuka?
Takshaka
Ananta
Vasuki
Karkotaka
Answer
Karkotaka
Who was Damayanti?
Daughter of the king of Vidarbha
Daughter of the king of Kashi
Daughter of the king of Magadha
Daughter of the king of Hastinapura
Answer
Daughter of the king of Vidarbha
