Mahabharata curse & boon stories Nal & Damyanti's love story

The Tale of Nala and Damayanti.

Indian mythology English stories. English moral stories for kids. Nal & Damyanti ki kahani. Story from Mahabharata Nal Aur Damyanti. Curse and boon stories from indian mythology stories. a first love story in mythology that is Nal Damyanti's story. English Love story Nal & Damyanti. Mahabharata curse & boon stories Nal & Damyanti's love story.

When the great Arjuna went to Indraloka to obtain divine weapons, the Pandavas were residing in the Kamyaka forest. They were deeply distressed by the loss of their kingdom and the separation from Arjuna. One day, the Pandavas and Draupadi were discussing these matters. During this time, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira was consoling Bhimasena when they saw the sage Brihadashva approaching their hermitage.

Seeing Sage Brihadashva, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira went forward, greeted him according to the scriptures, and offered him a seat. After the sage had rested, Yudhishthira began to share his story. He said, "O great sage! The Kauravas deceitfully called me and tricked me into gambling. They defeated me and took away everything I owned. Not only that, but they also dragged my beloved Draupadi and humiliated her in a full assembly. In the end, they forced us to wear deer skin and sent us to this harsh forest. O great sage, tell me, is there any king on this earth as unfortunate as I am? Have you ever seen or heard of anyone as miserable as me?"

Sage Brihadashva replied, "Dharmaraja, it is not right for you to say that no king has ever suffered more than you. I know of a king who was more unfortunate and suffered more than you. If you wish, I can tell you his story." At Yudhishthira's request, the sage began to narrate the story.

The Swayamvara and Marriage of Damayanti

Dharmaraja, in the land of Nishadha, there was once a king named Nala, the son of Veerasena. He was virtuous, extremely handsome, truthful, self-controlled, beloved by all, a knower of the Vedas, and devoted to Brahmins. He had a large army and was highly skilled in the art of weaponry. He was brave, generous, and a mighty warrior. However, he had a slight fondness for gambling. During the same time, there was a king named Bhima ruling in the land of Vidarbha. He was as virtuous and powerful as Nala. By pleasing the sage Daman, King Bhima was blessed with four children—three sons and one daughter. The sons were named Dama, Danta, and Daman; the daughter was named Damayanti. Damayanti was as beautiful as the goddess Lakshmi, with large eyes. There was no one as beautiful as her among gods or celestial beings. 

During that time, many people from Vidarbha would visit Nishadha and speak highly of Damayanti's beauty and virtues before King Nala. Likewise, those who traveled from Nishadha to Vidarbha would praise King Nala's appearance, qualities, and noble character in front of Damayanti. As a result, mutual affection began to blossom in their hearts. One day, King Nala saw some swans in his palace garden. He caught one of them, and the swan said, "If you let me go, we will go to Damayanti and speak of your virtues in such a way that she will undoubtedly choose you as her husband." Nala released the swan, and the swan flew to the land of Vidarbha.

Seeing the swans, Damayanti was delighted and ran towards them to catch one. As she tried to catch a swan, it spoke, "O Damayanti! In the land of Nishadha, there is a king named Nala. He is as handsome as the Ashwini twins. There is no man as beautiful as him. He is like the incarnate god of love. If you become his wife, your life and beauty will be truly fulfilled. We have traveled among gods, celestial beings, humans, serpents, and demons, but we have never seen anyone as handsome as Nala. Just as you are a gem among women, Nala is an ornament among men. The two of you would make a very beautiful pair." Damayanti said, "Swan, tell Nala the same thing." The swan returned to Nishadha and conveyed Damayanti's message to King Nala.

Hearing the swan's praise of King Nala, Damayanti fell in love with him. Her longing for him grew so much that she spent her days and nights thinking only of him. She became pale and thin, appearing forlorn. Her companions noticed the change in her and informed King Bhima, "Your daughter has fallen ill." King Bhima deeply pondered over his daughter's condition. Finally, he concluded that his daughter had reached the age of marriage and decided to arrange a Swayamvara (a ceremony where a princess chooses her husband). He sent invitations to all the kings for the Swayamvara, inviting them to attend and fulfill his wish. Kings from various lands, with the sounds of their elephants, horses, and chariots, adorned in splendid attire, began to arrive in the land of Vidarbha. King Bhima made proper arrangements to welcome and honor all of them.

Through Devarshi Narada and Parvat, the gods also received the news of Damayanti's swayamvara. Indra and the other guardians of the world, along with their entourages and vehicles, set out for the Vidarbha kingdom. King Nala's heart was already captivated by Damayanti, so he too set out for Vidarbha to attend her swayamvara. As the gods descended from heaven, they noticed the incredibly handsome Nala, who was as radiant as Kamadeva, heading toward Damayanti's swayamvara. Even the gods were amazed by Nala's brilliance, comparable to the sun, and his extraordinary beauty. They recognized that this was indeed Nala. The gods halted their chariots in the sky, descended to earth, and approached Nala, saying, "O King Nala, you are known for your great truthfulness. We request you to become our messenger and help us."

Nala, having already made a vow, replied, "I will do as you ask." He then inquired, "Who are you, and what task do you wish me to carry out as your messenger?" Indra responded, "We are the gods. I am Indra, and these are Agni, Varuna, and Yama. We have come here for Damayanti. As our messenger, please go to Damayanti and tell her that Indra, Varuna, Agni, and Yama desire to marry her. She may choose any one of us as her husband."

Nala, with folded hands, said, "O King of the Gods, it would not be appropriate for you to send me as a messenger for this task, as both you and I are headed there for the same purpose. How can a man, who wishes to marry a woman, go to her and propose on behalf of someone else? Please forgive me in this matter." 

The gods replied, "Nala, you have already made a vow to us that you would fulfill our task. Do not break your promise now. Go at once." Nala expressed concern, saying, "There is constant strict security in the royal palace. How will I be able to enter?" Indra assured him, "Go, you will be able to enter."

Following Indra's command, Nala entered the royal palace without obstruction and saw Damayanti. Damayanti and her maidens were stunned to see him. They were captivated by his unparalleled beauty and were too shy to speak.

Damayanti, composing herself, asked Nala, "O warrior, you appear to be very handsome and flawless. First, tell me who you are. What is your purpose in coming here, and why did the gatekeepers not see you when you entered? My father punishes them severely for even the slightest mistake."

Nala replied, "O virtuous lady, I am Nala. I have come to you as a messenger of the gods. O beautiful one, Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Yama—these four gods wish to marry you. You may choose any one of them as your husband. That is the message I bring to you. It was by the gods' power that I was able to enter your palace unnoticed. I have delivered their message. Now, do as you wish."

Damayanti, after respectfully bowing to the gods, smiled gently and said to Nala, "O king, look upon me with love and command what service I may render to you to the best of my ability. My lord, I have already offered everything I have and my entire self at your feet. Please love me with complete trust. From the day I heard the words of the swan, I have been yearning for you. It is for you that I have gathered this assembly of kings. If you refuse my plea, I will take poison, burn in fire, drown in water, or hang myself, but I will die for you."

King Nala said, "When great celestial beings are seeking your love, why do you desire me, a mere mortal? I am not even equal to the dust of those powerful gods. You should set your heart on them. A human who displeases the gods meets with death. Please protect me by choosing one of them."

Hearing Nala's words, Damayanti became distressed, and tears welled up in her eyes. She replied, "I bow to all the gods, but I choose you as my husband. I swear this is the truth." At that moment, Damayanti's body trembled, and her hands were folded in reverence.

King Nala then said, "Very well, do as you wish. But tell me, I came here as their messenger to deliver a message. If I now act in my own interest, it would be a terrible thing. I can only act for my own gain if it does not go against dharma. You should also do the same." With a voice choked with emotion, Damayanti said, "O King, there is a way that will keep you free from any blame. If you follow this plan, you will not be guilty of any wrongdoing. The way is that you must come to the swayamvara pavilion with the gods. I will choose you in their presence. Then you will not be at fault."

King Nala then returned to the gods. When they asked him what had happened, he said, "I went to Damayanti's palace as you commanded. Outside, the elderly gatekeepers were on guard, but due to your divine influence, they did not see me. Only Damayanti and her maidens saw me, and they were astonished. I described you to Damayanti, but she insists on choosing me over you. She has said that all the gods should attend the swayamvara with me, and in your presence, she will choose me. In this way, I will not be at fault. I have told you everything. You are the final judges in this matter."

King Bhima then selected an auspicious time for the swayamvara and invited everyone to attend. All the kings from various lands arrived at the swayamvara pavilion and took their seats. The entire assembly was filled with kings. Once everyone was seated, the beautiful Damayanti entered the pavilion, drawing the attention and admiration of the kings with her radiant beauty. As the kings were introduced, Damayanti began to move forward, looking at each one.

However, when she reached a particular spot, she saw five kings seated together, all identical in appearance and attire to Nala. This caused her great confusion, as she could not identify which one was truly Nala. Whenever she looked at one of them, he appeared to be Nala. She pondered, "How can I recognize the gods, and how will I know which one is King Nala?" This thought filled her with sorrow. Finally, Damayanti decided that seeking the gods' help was the best course of action. Folding her hands in prayer, she said, "O gods, after hearing Nala's description from the swan, I chose him as my husband. I desire no one else in my heart or words but Nala. The gods have made Nala the ruler of Nishadha my husband, and I have taken this vow to worship Nala. By the power of my true vow, I ask that the gods reveal him to me. O mighty celestial beings, please reveal your true forms so that I can recognize the virtuous King Nala."

Hearing Damayanti's heartfelt plea, the gods, moved by her unwavering determination, pure love, self-purity, wisdom, devotion, and deep affection for Nala, granted her the ability to distinguish between gods and humans. Damayanti then observed that the gods did not sweat, their eyelids did not blink, the flowers in their garlands did not wither, their bodies were free from dirt, they were seated on thrones, but their feet did not touch the ground, and they cast no shadows.

Meanwhile, Nala's body cast a shadow. His garland had wilted, there was some dust and sweat on his body, and his eyelids blinked regularly as his feet rested firmly on the ground. Recognizing these signs, Damayanti was able to distinguish between the gods and the righteous King Nala. Following the proper customs, she chose Nala as her husband. With a slight hesitation, she drew her veil over her face and placed the wedding garland around Nala's neck. The gods and sages praised her choice, exclaiming "Sadhu! Sadhu!" (Well done!). However, the gathered kings were filled with an uproar.

Overwhelmed with joy, King Nala praised Damayanti, saying, "O virtuous one! Even in the presence of the gods, you chose me instead of them. Therefore, know that you have a husband devoted to you in love. I will honor your words, and as long as there is life in my body, I will love you. This I swear to you truthfully." The two then lovingly honored each other and sought the blessings of the gods. The gods, pleased with them, bestowed eight boons upon Nala. Indra said, "Nala, you shall see me during sacrifices, and you will attain a noble destiny." Agni said, "Wherever you remember me, I shall appear, and you will attain realms as radiant as mine." Yama said, "The food you cook will be incredibly delicious, and you will remain steadfast in your dharma." Varuna said, "Wherever you wish, water will appear, and your garland will always remain fragrant."

After giving these boons, the gods returned to their respective realms, and the invited kings also departed. King Bhima, delighted, conducted the marriage of Damayanti and Nala with all the proper rites. Nala stayed in the capital city of Kundinpur in Vidarbha for some time. Later, with Bhima's permission, he returned to his own capital with his wife Damayanti. There, King Nala ruled his kingdom by dharma, truly justifying the title of "King." He performed many sacrifices, including the Ashwamedha. In due time, Damayanti gave birth to a son named Indrasen and a daughter named Indrasena.

The Malice of Kali Yuga, Nala's Defeat in Gambling, and Exile from the City.

Sage Brihadashva said: "O Yudhishthira! When Indra and the other celestial lords were returning to their respective realms after Damayanti's swayamvara, they encountered Kali Yuga and Dvapara on their way. Indra asked, 'Kali Yuga, where are you going?' Kali Yuga replied, 'I am going to Damayanti's swayamvara to marry her.' Indra laughed and said, 'Ah, that swayamvara has long been completed. Damayanti has chosen King Nala while we all merely looked on.'

Kali Yuga, filled with rage, exclaimed, 'Oh, what a great injustice! She has disregarded the gods and chosen a mere mortal; she must be punished for this!'"

The gods said, "Damayanti has chosen Nala after hearing our command. In truth, Nala is full of virtues and worthy of her. He is well-versed in the essence of dharma, is righteous, and has studied the Vedas along with history and the Puranas. He satisfies the gods through sacrifices according to dharma, never harms anyone, is truthful and resolute. His wisdom, patience, dignity, austerity, purity, self-control, and tranquility are akin to those of the guardians of the worlds. To curse him would be akin to falling into the blazing fires of hell." Saying this, the gods departed.

Then Kali Yuga said to Dvapara, "Brother! I cannot quell my anger. Therefore, I will reside in Nala's body. I will cause him to lose his kingdom, and then he will no longer be able to stay with Damayanti. So, you should also enter the dice and help me." Dvapara agreed to this plan. Both Kali Yuga and Dvapara settled in Nala's capital. They waited for twelve years, looking for any fault in Nala.

One day, during the evening, King Nala, after attending to a natural call, sat down to perform his evening prayers without washing his feet and without purifying himself through proper rites. Observing this impure state, Kali Yuga entered Nala's body. Then, assuming another form, Kali went to Pushkara and said, "You should play dice with Nala, and with my help, you will win and obtain the kingdom of Nishadha." Pushkara agreed and went to Nala. Dvapara also entered the dice and joined them. 

Pushkara repeatedly urged Nala to play dice, and Nala, unable to resist his brother's constant challenge, decided to gamble, despite Damayanti's presence. At that time, Kali Yuga had already possessed Nala, so whatever Nala wagered—gold, silver, chariots, or vehicles—he kept losing. The citizens and ministers, in great distress, tried to meet with Nala to stop the gambling, and they gathered at the palace gates. Understanding their purpose, the gatekeeper went to Queen Damayanti and said, "Please request the king to meet with the people. You are knowledgeable in matters of dharma and artha (wealth). Your people, unable to bear the king's sorrow, have gathered at the gate."

Damayanti, overwhelmed with grief, was on the verge of fainting. With tears in her eyes and a choked voice, she requested the king, "My lord! The citizens of the city, loyal to the crown, and the ministers have come to meet with you and are waiting at the gates. Please go and meet with them." However, due to the influence of Kali Yuga, Nala remained silent. The ministers and the people, filled with sorrow, returned in despair.

For several months, the gambling between Pushkara and Nala continued, and Nala kept losing consistently. The dice never favored Nala, and he lost all his wealth. When Damayanti learned of this, she summoned King Nala's charioteer, Vaarshneya, through her nurse Brihatsena. She said to him, "Charioteer! You are dear to the king. You are well aware of the great crisis the king is facing. So, harness the horses to the chariot and take my two children to the city of Kundinagar. Leave the chariot and horses there, and you may stay there if you wish, or go wherever else you please."

Following Damayanti's instructions, Vaarshneya consulted with the ministers and safely took the children to Kundinapur, leaving the chariot and horses there. Then he left on foot and eventually arrived in Ayodhya, where he served as a charioteer under King Rituparna.

After Vaarshneya, the charioteer, left, Pushkara won King Nala's kingdom and wealth in the dice game. Laughing, Pushkara addressed Nala, saying, "Will you play more? But you have nothing left to wager. If you consider Damayanti worthy of being staked, then we can continue." Nala's heart began to break. Without replying to Pushkara, he removed all his garments and jewelry, leaving himself only a single cloth, and left the city. Damayanti, too, donned only a single sari and followed her husband. Nala's friends and relatives were deeply grieved. Nala and Damayanti spent three nights outside the city. Pushkara issued a proclamation that anyone who showed sympathy towards Nala would be hanged. Out of fear, the citizens could not even show any hospitality towards their former king. Nala and Damayanti stayed near their city for three days and nights, surviving only on water. On the fourth day, driven by hunger, they ate fruits and roots and continued their journey.

One day, King Nala saw many birds perched nearby, their wings gleaming like gold. Nala thought that their feathers could bring some wealth. With this thought, he threw his garment over them to catch them. However, the birds flew away, taking Nala's garment with them, and leaving him naked. Nala stood there, humiliated and downcast. The birds then spoke, saying, "Foolish one! You left the city wearing only one cloth, and we felt great pity for you. Now, we are taking away the last garment from your body. We are not birds; we are the dice." Nala then explained the nature of the dice to Damayanti.

After this, Nala said, "Dear one, look around; there are many paths here. One leads towards Avanti, and another goes over the Rksha mountain towards the southern country. Ahead is the Vindhya mountain, and this Payoshni river flows into the sea. These are the hermitages of great sages. The path ahead leads to the Vidarbha country, and this is the road to Kosala." King Nala, filled with sorrow and grief, carefully showed Damayanti the various routes and hermitages. Damayanti's eyes filled with tears as she spoke in a choked voice, "My lord, what are you thinking? My limbs are growing weak, and my heart is troubled. Your kingdom is gone, your wealth is gone, you have no clothes left on your body, you are weary and hungry—how can I leave you alone in this desolate forest? I will stay with you and alleviate your suffering. In times of hardship, a wife is like medicine to her husband. She gives him strength and reduces his suffering. Even the physicians acknowledge this."

Nala replied, "Dear one, what you say is true. A wife is a friend, a wife is a medicine. But I do not wish to leave you. Why do you doubt me?" Damayanti responded, "You say you do not want to leave me, yet you show me the way to Vidarbha. I am certain you would never abandon me, but still, I fear your mind has been disturbed, and that is why I doubt it. Your guidance pains me. If you wish to send me to my father's or some relative's home, then so be it, but let us go together. My father will welcome you, and you can live there comfortably." 

Nala replied, "Dear one, your father is a king, and I was once a king too. But I will not go to him in this time of distress." Nala continued to reason with Damayanti, and then both of them, covering themselves with a single cloth, wandered through the forest. Weary and hungry, they finally found shelter in a small inn and decided to rest there.

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