In the ancient kingdom of Nishadha, ruled a just and noble king named Nala. Renowned for his valor and skill in chariotry, Nala was also a man of great wisdom and compassion. His fame spread far and wide, drawing the admiration of many. Despite his prowess, Nala's heart was tender, and it longed for a companion who would share his life and throne.
Far away, in the kingdom of Vidarbha, the beautiful princess Damayanti lived. Daughter of King Bhima, Damayanti was known throughout the land for her unparalleled beauty and grace. Her eyes sparkled with the light of a thousand stars, and her presence was like the dawn breaking over the horizon, bringing warmth and joy to all who beheld her.
The fame of Damayanti's beauty reached Nala, and tales of Nala's virtues reached Damayanti. Though they had never met, a bond began to form between them, ignited by the stories of each other's nobility and allure. Each day, Nala's heart yearned more for the sight of Damayanti, and Damayanti's thoughts often drifted to the heroic king of Nishadha.
One day, as Nala wandered in his garden, he came across a flock of golden swans. Mesmerized by their beauty, he managed to capture one of the swans, which then spoke to him. To his astonishment, the swan offered to fly to Damayanti and extol Nala's virtues to her, in exchange for its freedom. Nala, sensing divine intervention, agreed.
True to its word, the swan flew to Damayanti's palace and sought an audience with the princess. Damayanti, intrigued by the speaking swan, listened as it narrated tales of Nala's bravery, kindness, and charm. The swan spoke of his unmatched skill in chariotry, his wisdom in governance, and the fairness with which he ruled his kingdom. Damayanti, captivated by the image of Nala painted by the swan's words, fell deeply in love with him without having seen him.
As fate would have it, King Bhima announced a swayamvara for his daughter. In this grand event, princes and kings from across the land would gather, and Damayanti would choose her husband from among them. The news spread like wildfire, reaching even the gods in their heavenly abodes. Indra, the king of gods, and his companions—Agni, the god of fire, Varuna, the god of water, and Yama, the god of death—decided to attend the swayamvara, each hoping to win the heart of the beautiful princess.
Nala, too, received the news and set out for Vidarbha, his heart brimming with hope and love. On his way, he encountered the four gods, who, recognizing him, sought his help. They requested Nala to act as their messenger and convey their intention to participate in the swayamvara to Damayanti. Torn between his duty to the gods and his love for Damayanti, Nala reluctantly agreed.
Upon reaching Vidarbha, Nala found his way to Damayanti's chambers. As soon as she saw him, Damayanti's heart recognized the man she had fallen in love with. Nala, though torn by his promise to the gods, delivered their message. Damayanti, however, declared her unwavering love for Nala, saying she would accept no one else but him as her husband.
On the day of the swayamvara, the hall was filled with kings and princes, each vying for Damayanti's hand. Among them were the four gods, who, out of respect for Damayanti's love for Nala, decided to test her devotion. They assumed the form of Nala, making it impossible to distinguish the real Nala from the divine impersonators.
Damayanti, however, was not deterred. She observed the five identical figures closely. She noticed that while the gods, in their divine forms, cast no shadows, had feet that did not touch the ground, and exhibited an ethereal glow, Nala was human in every sense. With unwavering faith and love, she approached the real Nala and placed the garland around his neck, choosing him as her husband. The gods, impressed by her devotion and discernment, blessed the couple and returned to their celestial abodes.
Nala and Damayanti's union was celebrated with great joy and festivities. Their love, tested and blessed by the gods, was now eternal. They returned to Nishadha, where Nala ruled with Damayanti by his side. Their reign was marked by prosperity and happiness, and they were beloved by their subjects.
However, their blissful life was soon to face a severe trial. Kali, the demon of discord, who had also desired Damayanti, harbored a grudge against Nala. Enraged by his failure to win Damayanti, Kali waited for an opportune moment to exact his revenge. One day, as Nala performed his ablutions without washing his feet first, Kali saw his chance. He entered Nala, corrupting his mind and sowing seeds of misfortune.
Under Kali's influence, Nala's personality began to change. His judgments became clouded, and he grew increasingly irritable and rash. Sensing the shift, his brother Pushkara challenged Nala to a game of dice. The game, driven by Kali's malevolent influence, turned disastrous for Nala. He lost his kingdom, his wealth, and his status. In the end, Nala and Damayanti were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
Forced into exile, Nala and Damayanti wandered the forests, their hearts heavy with sorrow but their love for each other undiminished. One night, unable to bear seeing Damayanti suffer, Nala, driven by a mixture of despair and a desire to protect her, decided to leave her while she slept, hoping she would find a safer and better life without him.
When Damayanti awoke and found Nala gone, her heart broke, but her determination to find him remained unshaken. She roamed the forests, facing dangers and hardships with unwavering courage. Her path led her to a caravan of merchants who were attacked by wild elephants. Displaying remarkable bravery, Damayanti helped save many lives, and the grateful merchants took her to the kingdom of Chedi.
In Chedi, Damayanti found refuge with Queen Vrihadrathi, who recognized her noble bearing and took her in. Meanwhile, Nala, burdened with guilt and sorrow, continued to wander alone. His journey brought him to a snake named Karkotaka, who, in gratitude for being saved from a fire, bit Nala, injecting him with venom that transformed his appearance, making him unrecognizable. Karkotaka also bestowed upon Nala a magical garment that would restore his true form when the time was right.
Nala, now disguised as Bahuka, found employment as a charioteer with King Rituparna of Ayodhya. His skill with horses soon earned him the king's favor, but his heart remained heavy with thoughts of Damayanti.
Back in Vidarbha, Damayanti's father, King Bhima, was desperate to find his daughter. He sent out search parties and eventually learned of Damayanti's whereabouts. Reunited with her family, Damayanti's thoughts were solely focused on finding Nala. She devised a plan to lure him out by announcing a second swayamvara, knowing that Nala would not be able to resist coming to see her.
The announcement reached Rituparna's court, and Bahuka (Nala) was asked to drive the king to Vidarbha in a single day, a feat that seemed impossible but for Nala's unmatched skill. On the journey, Nala, in his guise as Bahuka, displayed extraordinary prowess in chariotry, which aroused Rituparna's curiosity. Upon reaching Vidarbha, Damayanti's plan worked. She recognized Nala despite his disguise, and with the help of the magical garment, Nala's true form was restored.
Their reunion was a moment of immense joy and relief. The trials and tribulations had only strengthened their love and commitment to each other. With Kali's influence gone, Nala's wisdom and valor returned. King Bhima sent his forces to Nishadha, where they defeated Pushkara and restored Nala to his throne. Nala forgave his brother, showing the depth of his compassion and magnanimity.
Nala and Damayanti ruled Nishadha with renewed vigor and wisdom, their bond unbreakable and their hearts forever entwined. Their story, a testament to the enduring power of love, faith, and resilience, became a beacon of hope and inspiration for generations to come.
And so, the tale of Nala and Damayanti, marked by divine interventions, harrowing trials, and unwavering love, remained etched in the annals of time as one of the greatest love stories ever told.
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