Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.98

c5.98

Once the swans which came to the palace of Damayantī from Nala, began to praise Nala. They sang about the glory of Nala. Nala also knew about the beauty and the other good qualities of Damayantī. Thus they fell in love with each other. Nala also started for Kuṇḍinapurī, the capital city of Vidarbha, to marry Damayantī. The devas (gods) Indra, Agni, Varuṇa and Yama, having heard of the beauty of Damayantī from Nārada, had gone Kuṇḍinapurī, to take part in the marriage. On the way they met Nala. They were aware of the fact that Damayantī was in love with Nala. So they called Nala and sent him to Damayantī with a message that Damayantī should accept one of the four gods as her husband. By the boon of invisibility, given by the Gods, Nala entered the room of Damayantī unseen by others and gave the message to Damayantī. But Damayantī did not agree to it. The Gods also entered the nuptial hall and took their seats in the shape of four Nalas. Damayantī entered the hall with the nuptial garland in her hands. She saw five Nalas including the real Nala, and prayed to the gods to show her the real Nala her lover. So the devas assumed their real forms and Damayantī put the garland on the neck of the real Nala and accepted him as her husband. Being much pleased with the behaviour and character of both Nala and Damayantī, the four gods blessed them. Agni promised to be near Nala whenever he thought of him. Yama said that Nala would always be righteous. Varuṇa said that Nala would obtain water at the thought of it. Indra blessed him saying that he would get mokṣa immediately after the completion of a yāga. The gods remained till the end of the marriage ceremony and then they departed. Nala and Damayantī lived in Kuṇḍinapurī.