Did you know that the story of Nala – Damayanti figures in the Hindu epic Mahabharata? This story is told in the ‘episode of Nala’ – Nalopakhyana of the epic. This story was narrated by Rishi Brihadashva to Yudhishthira during the latter’s exile in the forest (Mahabharata, Vana Parva).The tale never gets old and is timeless because it celebrates love and the strength of the human spirit. Artists from the Pahari school, mostly hilly kingdoms represented by Guler, Kangra Basohli, Chamba, Mandi, Nurpur, Garhwal and Bilaspur have captured the sequences in paintings and as illustrations because of the storyline’s vast range of events and the pathos of the situations in it. The story is very interesting. Nala, son of Veerasena is the king of the kingdom of Nishadha (in Central India), and is an expert with horses and culinary matters and is known for his righteousness.
आसीद्राजा नळो नाम वीरसेनसुतो बली…………….उपपन्नो गुणैरिष्टै रूपवानश्वकोविदः
“There was a King by name Nala, the son of Virasena, strong, endowed with desirable qualities, handsome and well-skilled in (the science of horses”… … .. translation of the verse from Nalopakhyana by Paramu Kurumathur.
He gets married to Princess Damayanti, daughter of King Bhima of the kingdom of Vidarbha. She is very beautiful and wise and was in love with Nala because she had heard about his virtues from a golden swan. Nala is blessed with some exceptional qualities as well. He could make himself invisible, cook without fire and water. His simple glance made vessels to get filled with water. He could crush flowers and yet it would stay fresh. Damayanti knew of these virtues even before she met Nala. Let’s know some more details along with Pahari paintings of this fantastic tale of yore!
The same golden swan had been caught by Nala who had released it on hearing about Damayanti ‘s exceptional beauty and the swan having promised to convey to her, Nala’s message of love. The swan was thus a messenger between them.
“Possessing a lustre resembling that of an object coloured with turmeric, was she not extracted from the clay of the River of Gold? Because, on her body not even the unevenness marking the joint of two limbs can be guessed’’………….on the beauty of Damayanti, translation from 1956 by Krishna Kanta Handiqui of the Naishadha-charita by Shriharsha of Ujjain from the 12th century which is an adaptation of the same story.
The tale is one of love, virtue, trials, and destiny. Some other characters who figure in the story are Pushkara, Nala’s brother who later becomes an adversary, Kali, the spirit of the age of Kali (the age of strife and discord), who curses Nala, Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Yama, the gods of the Vedic pantheon who play a significant role in the story full of twists and turns which include challenges the couple face. The story of Nala and Damayanti is rich with moral lessons as well. The sheer power of love and devotion; Damayanti’s loyalty and love for Nala never waver, even in the face of severe hardships. Both Nala and Damayanti face severe tests, but their perseverance and faith lead them to a happy reunion. Let’s see some events and related artworks in the story from the school of Pahari miniature painters, an important genre in Indian painting.
‘’With the sole exception of Damayantī, what beautiful woman, no longer proud of her beauty, after having seen him, did not darken with her sighs the mirror, which she had taken up in her hand, to look at herself, thinking, “I am worthy of Nala in beauty?’’……………………translation from 1956 by Krishna Kanta Handiqui of the Naishadha-charita by Shriharsha from the 12th century.
Nala and Damayanti
Nala, the handsome and virtuous king of Nishadha, hears about the beauty and grace of Damayanti, likewise, Damayanti hears of Nala’s virtues and falls in love with him. They have never met but are deeply in love through the stories they’ve heard about each other. A description of Nala in Naishadha-charita by Shriharsha, 12th century of Ujjain; which is an adaptation of the same story reads thus-
‘’Nala, whose story by the varieties of its sweetness surpasses nectar, was the lord of the earth, marvellous in his virtues. The flaming trail of his might and the circle of his fame served as a sceptre of gold and a unique, white umbrella’’……….. translation from 1956 by Krishna Kanta Handiqui.
The Swayamvara
A swayamvara, where the bride chooses her husband, was set up for the hand of Damayanti. The Gods Indra, Agni, Varuna and Yama too wanted her hand. Nala had met the Gods on his way to the event and had been asked by the Gods to be their messenger. They wanted Damayanti to choose one of them. However, in spite of wearing a robe which made him invisible to all except Damayanti, she recognised him and selected him as her husband. The Gods even disguised themselves as Nala, but she saw though them and chose Nala in the swayamvara ceremony. The Gods leave blessing the couple.
Nala and Damayanti’s Marriage
After the swayamvara, Nala and Damayanti get married and are blissfully happy. They have children, whom they name as Indrasena and Indrasenaa, a boy and a girl. Their kingdom prospers as Nala rules righteously. And they lead a happy marital life for a few years.
‘’Surrounded by chariots, the charioteer king then started for the home of the king of Vidarbha, taking auspicious objects with him, and in two ways putting the priest Gautama, a perfect knower of the self, to the fore.’’……………….. as translated in 1956 by Krishna Kanta Handiqui from the Naishadha-charita of Shriharsha from the 12th century.
‘’The priest (Gautama) brought the rites concerning Nala to a most successful issue, while he was married to Damayantī, even as the great sage Bṛhaspati did those relating to Indra, when he married Sachi.’’………………………..as translated in 1956 by Krishna Kanta Handiqui from the Naishadha-charita of Shriharsha from the 12th century.
‘’ The king of Vidarbha, hastening on account of the close approach of the auspicious moment, sent kings as heralds every moment, one after another, whose throng added to the immensity of Nala’s army on the way.’’……………………………….. as translated in 1956 by Krishna Kanta Handiqui from the Naishadha-charita of Shriharsha from the 12th century.
These translated verses above reveal the joyousness, excitement, pomp and glory of the event of the Nala- Damyanti wedding.
Kali’s curse and Nala’s exile
Nala’s marital happiness attracts the envy of Kali, the spirit of the age of strife. The demon Kali (evil spirit of Kaliyuga) also wanted to marry Damayanti. But on hearing of her choice, he vows to ruin Nala and decides to separate them and ensure that Nala leaves the path of dharma or righteousness. Damayanti and Nala are happily married and have two children. It takes Kali twelve years to trap Nala. Nala is fond of gambling and under the influence of evil plays a game of dice with his brother Pushkara. He ends up gambling away his kingdom and wealth. Nala-Damayanti have to go to the forest where they live in poverty for three years and even get separated; Nala starts worrying for Damayanti, and abandons her to protect her from his bad fortune. Nala abandons Damayanti, thinking she would be safer without him. He leaves her with half of his garment as a token of his love and to help her identify him later.
Nala’s Trials
On his way away from Damayanti, Nala saves a naga (snake) Karkotaka from a fire; the naga bites him and the poison transforms him to a dwarf called Bahuka. The naga also gives him a magic incantation to get back his original form. Nala reaches Ayodhya after wandering around. He becomes a charioteer to King Rituparna. During his time in Ayodhya, Nala learns the art of dice from Rituparna, hoping to one day reclaim his kingdom.
Damayanti’s Search
Meanwhile Damayanti takes refuge in the palace of the Princess of Chedi, Bhanumati, actually an aunt of Damayanti, offering to serve her. She hails from Dasarna kingdom which they both come to know during their meeting and also about their relationship. Damayanti is thus discovered and taken back to her father’s house where she is reunited with her children, Indrasena and Indrasenaa. They search for Nala, but cannot locate him.
Reunion of Nala and Damayanti
Damayanti starts thinking that the only way Nala will come back would be for fear that she would not be his wife anymore. Thus, she requests a fake second swayamvara. She is still of such great beauty that many kings attend it. Damayanti sends a riddle to King Rituparna to confirm Nala’s presence. On hearing that Damayanti might find another husband, Rituparna who had attended her first swayamvara asks Bahuka to take him to Vidarbha. He drives the chariot very fast to reach Vidarbha from Ayodhya in a short time. Damayanti recognizes Nala and he reverts to his original form. Rituparna also comes to know who his charioteer really was. Nala teaches his skills to Rituparna, who in turn teaches him to magically control dice. He finally overcomes the influence of Kali. In spite of numerous hardships, Nala never leaves the path of dharma or righteousness. He gets back his kingdom by defeating Pushkara in a re-match. Nala and Damayanti are reunited, their love stronger than ever after enduring so many trials.
There have been many adaptations of this classic story in India and other countries. It is accepted as a great work of literature. The best-known adaptation is the Naishadha-charita – ‘Deeds of the Nishadha King’, from the 12th century by Shriharsha in Kannauj. Some translations have been used in this essay. This story will keep getting retold because it has an intrinsic message about the resilience of the human spirit and depicts true love which faces severe trials and tribulations but is a winner at the end without resorting to unrighteous ways!
References:
- https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/arts/the-timeless-tale-of-nala-and-damayanti-102070 (accessed 02.06.2024)
- Indian paintings from the Punjab Hills: a survey and history of Pahari miniature painting / by W. G. Archer, London: Delhi: Sotheby Parke Bernet: Oxford University Press, 1973.
- https://deccanviews.in/category/nala-damayanti/ (accessed 28.5.2024)
- Epics, myths and legends of India/Thomas, P, Bombay: D.B. Taraporevala and Sons,1942.
- https://tamilandvedas.com/2018/08/28/science-in-nala-damayanthi-story-of-mahabharata-post-no-5371/ (accessed 02.06.2024)
- https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/nala-and-damayanti (accessed 03.06.2024)
- https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-naishadha-charita-of-shriharsha/d/doc371793.html (accessed 03.06.2024)
- https://oursanskrit.com/2016/10/05/na%E1%B8%B7opakhyanam/(accessed 03.06.2024)
- Pahari paintings of the Nala Damayanti theme in the collection of Dr. Karan Singh/B.N Goswamy, New Delhi: Publications Division, 1975.
Very beautiful story and great article. Thank you
Thanks Smita 🙂