The Legend Of Nala And Damayanti

Krishna Moorthy sheds some more light on the exploits of these two mythological figures.

- Krishna Moorthy

During the exile of the Pandavas, Yudhishtira met Rishi Vrihadashva, who taught him the secret of playing dice. Yudhishtira’s misfortune was his game of dice with the Kauravas, which he lost. He was curious to know from the Rishi whether anyone else had faced similar suffering in life. The Rishi then narrated the story of Nala and Damayanti, which is described in the ‘Mahabharata’.

Nala was the king of Nishada and husband of Damayanti. Damayanti was the daughter of Bhima, the king of Vidarbha. She was lovely and accomplished. Nala was brave and handsome, virtuous, and skilled in arms and the management of horses. But he was addicted to gambling. They loved each other, having known their respective virtues and beauty. Damayanti’s father decided to hold a ‘swayamvara’ for his daughter to choose her husband. Many kings went for the ceremony and among them was Nala. Four gods, namely, Indra, Agni, Vayu, and Yama also wanted to attend and they took the form of Nala. However, Damayanti chose Nala. They were married and lived happily for some years.