A Classical Dictionary of Hindu Mythology and Religion, Geography, History, and Literature c5.1227.1

c5.1227.1

NALA. 1. King of Nishadha and husband of Damayantī. The story of Nala and Damayantī is one of the episodes of the Mahā-bhārata, and is well known from having been translated into Latin by Bopp and into English verse by Dean Milman. Damayantī was the only daughter of Bhīma, king of Vidarbha (Birar), and was very lovely and accomplished. Nala was brave and handsome, virtuous, and learned in the Vedas, skilled in arms and in the management of horses, but addicted to the vice of gambling. They loved each other upon the mere fame of their respective virtues and beauty, and Damayantī pined for the presence of her unknown lover. Bhīma determined that his daughter should hold a swayam-vara. Rājas flocked to it in crowds, and among them Nala. Four gods, Indra, Agni, Varuṇa, and Yama, also attended. Nala met them on the way, and reverently promised to do their will. They bade him enter the palace and inform Damayantī that they would present themselves among the candidates, and that she must choose one of them. Nala reluctantly performed his task, but his presence perfected his conquest, and the maiden announced her resolve to pay due homage to the gods, but to choose him for her lord. Each of the four gods assumed the form of Nala, but the lover’s eye distinguished the real one, and she made her choice. They married and lived for some time in great happiness, a son and a daughter, named Indrasena and Indrasenā, being born to them.