Nala proceeds for the swayamvara
- Author: Vid. Shri Ramavittalacharya
- Translator: Smt. Chomini Prakash
At the behest of Lord Krishna, Arjuna proceeded towards Kailasa to obtain celestial weapons from Lord Shiva. The other Pandavas stayed back at the Kamyaka forest. Those were the days of the final year of their exile. Arjuna’s absence made Dharmaraja despondent. Every day, he blamed himself in one way or the other. Although Bheemasena kept giving him sermons on dharma occasionally, he was unable to overcome his grief.
Desirous of meeting the Pandavas, the great ascetic Brhadashva visited the Kamyaka forest. Dharmaraja bemoaned to Brhadashva – “There is none as unfortunate and desolate as me.” Brhadashva replied – “Abandon this lamentation. Nala Chakravarti has faced greater adversities than you. Nala was the son of the King Veerasena of the Nishadha kingdom. He was a victim of deceitful gambling by Pushkara and consequentially, he was relegated to the forest along with his wife Damayanti. You have your valiant brothers and thousands of learned sages with you. Nala and Damayanti had none by their side; not even their attendants. They faced immense hardship but ultimately found happiness. Good times shall ensue in your lives too.”
Dharmaraja was eager to listen to the story of the illustrious Nala-Damayanti and Brhadashva related it in a soul-stirring manner.
Nala was an embodiment of all virtues and sacrifice. There was a King by the name Bhima at Vidarbha. He was childless. Once, the sage ‘Damana’ accepted the respectful hospitality of the King and stated that the royal couple would be blessed with a precious daughter and three sons. Eventually, they begot a daughter and three sons named Damayanti, Dama, Daanta and Damana respectively. Damayanti was a virtuous, beautiful and affluent maiden. Several well-wishers described the nobility and attractiveness of Nala to Damayanti and the charm and grace of Damayanti to Nala. Upon hearing about each other’s sterling qualities, mutual adoration blossomed in the hearts of Nala and Damayanti.
One day, as Nala wandered in his gardens engrossed in thoughts of Damayanti, a flock of swans sauntered near him. Nala gently picked up a swan. The terrified swan said “I shall describe your virtues to Damayanti. Let go of me.” Charmed by the words of the swan, Nala set the bird free. The swan flew to Damayanti and praised Nala’s vigor and valor. At the behest of Damayanti, the swan flew back to Nala and described her elegance and vivacity. The message by the swan brought their hearts closer. The longing was so intense that they could no longer forsake one another.
The lovelorn maiden Damayanti was distressed. Noticing her distraught state, King Bhima arranged for the swayamvara of his daughter. Upon hearing this message, the best of Princes rushed with delight. Nala also proceeded. Having heard about the proclamation of the swayamvara from Sage Narada, Devendra, Agni, Varuna and Yama too departed to participate in it. The demigods saw Nala en route and sought his introduction. Realizing that Damayanti could choose Nala over them, they spoke thus to him “Inform Damayanti that Indra, Agni, Varuna and Yama are attending the swayamvara to seek your hand in marriage. Persuade her to choose one of us as her husband and help us.”
Nala pleaded – “I have been longing to seek her. Is it justified that this mission be assigned to me?” Having agreed to help us, breaking your word now would be wrong. Honoring our dictate would bring you auspiciousness. We have graced you with the ability to enter the highly guarded zenana (antahpura) of Damayanti without being spotted by the sentinels.
Nala entered the zenana (antahpura) of Damayanti. The confidantes around Damayanti noticed Nala, introduced him to her and stepped back in astonishment.
Upon seeing Nala, smiling coyly, an ecstatic Damayanti confessed to being in love him with all her heart ever since she had heard about his illustriousness from the swan.
Nala said – “Devi Damayanti! I have come to you as a messenger of the demigods. Indra, Agni, Varuna and Yama are coming to seek you. Choose one of them as your husband in the swayamvara.”
A disconsolate Damayanti replied – “Mahatma! All the love that my hear bears is devoted to you. This swayamvara has been organized for you. Should you forsake me, I cannot bear to live any longer.”
In a bid to pacify her, Nala said – “I am a mere mortal. They are immortals. I do not match up to the dust of their feet. I cannot survive displeasing the demigods. Beautiful maiden! Pardon me. Save me. Marry one of them and you shall obtain splendorous garments and ornaments. Remain contented and blissful. Indra, Agni, Yama, Varuna – they are all deities of different directions (dikpalakas). Which maiden wouldn’t marry such affluent suitors?
With tears trickling down, Damayanti said that she would render obeisance to the demigods and plead with them that Nala be granted as her consort.
Nala retorted – “Having come as a messenger of the demigods, how can I materialize my own self-interest. Wouldn’t that be wrong?”
Damayanti said – “Do not agonize. There is a harmless way out of this predicament. You should be free from accusation. At the same time, our heart’s desire should be fulfilled too. I shall achieve that.” Having said so, she requested Nala to attend the swayamvara along with the demigods.
Nala approached the demigods and earnestly reported all that had transpired – “I have conveyed your message to Damayanti. However, she claims to be in love with me. She has asked me to accompany thyselves tomorrow. She has said that she would conduct herself in a manner that I would be free from blemish.”
- To be continued.
