Nala () is a legendary king of ancient Nishadha kingdom and the central protagonist of the Nalopakhyana, a sub-narrative within the Indian epic Mahabharata, found in its third book, Vana Parva (Book of the Forest). He is renowned for his valor, wisdom, and exceptional skill in charioteering. His story revolves around his love for Damayanti, the princess of Vidarbha, and his struggle to reclaim his lost fortune.

According to Nalopakhyana, despite his virtues, Nala falls victim to a curse from the malicious deity Kali, who influences him to lose his kingdom in a game of dice against his brother Pushkara. Forced into exile, he abandons Damayanti in the forest, believing she would suffer less without him. Wandering in disguise under the name Bahuka after being transformed by a serpent’s bite, Nala takes service as a charioteer in the court of King Rituparna of Ayodhya, where he acquires new skills in gambling and horsemanship. Meanwhile, Damayanti devises a plan to find him. Their eventual reunion leads to Nala reclaiming his true identity, allowing him to challenge Pushkara in a new game and restore his kingdom.<!--This citation was C&Ped from Damayanti -->

The story of Nala has had a profound influence on Indian literature, folklore, and performing arts. It has been retold in various Sanskrit and regional texts, including adaptations in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Bengali literature. The 12th-century poet Sriharsha composed Naishadhiya Charita, an epic based on Nala’s tale, which is considered one of the five great Sanskrit mahakavyas. Nala is also regarded as a great cook and the cookbook Pakadarpanam () is attributed to him.

Biography

Nala's biography is attested in the Nalopakhyana section of Vana Parva, the third book of the Mahabharata.

thumb|An illustration of Damayanti's svayamvara, where the gods assume identical forms of Nala to test her devotion.

Early life and marriage

Nala is born to Virasena, the king of Nishada Kingdom, and grows up into an extremely handsome youth, renowned for his righteousness, exceptional charioteering skills, and devotion to dharma. His virtues are widely extolled, and his reputation reaches far and wide, desired by many women. Meanwhile, Damayanti, the princess of Vidarbha, grows into a woman of exceptional beauty. She and Nala hear tales of each other’s qualities and fall in love despite never having met. While Nala is in the palace garden, a group of golden-winged swans arrives at the lake. Amused, he captures one of them, which then addresses him with a proposal: if released, it will fly to Vidarbha and speak of his virtues to Damayanti. Accepting this offer, Nala sets the swan free. The swan fulfills its promise, flying to Vidarbha and praising Nala before Damayanti, further fostering her admiration for him. In return, the swans carry her admiration back to Nala. Deeply drawn to each other, Nala prepares to attend Damayanti’s svayamvara, the ceremony where she will choose her husband. Meanwhile, the gods Indra, Agni, Varuna, and Yama, having heard of Damayanti’s beauty, also desire to marry her. On their way to the svayamvara, they encounter Nala and request that he deliver their proposal to Damayanti. Granted invisibility, Nala enters her chamber and conveys their message. However, Damayanti remains steadfast in her love for Nala and chooses him over the gods. To test her devotion, the gods assume Nala’s form during the svayamvara, making it difficult for her to distinguish him. Through divine intuition, she identifies the real Nala and places the nuptial garland around his neck. Pleased with their love, the gods bestow blessings upon Nala: Agni promises to aid him whenever called, Yama grants him unwavering righteousness, Varuna ensures he will never lack water, and Indra guarantees him moksha (liberation) upon completing a sacrifice.

Translations and student editions

  • Norman Mosley Penzer translated the tale of Nala and Damayanti in 1926.
  • The story of Nala and Damayanti has introduced students to the study of Sanskrit since at least the early 19th century, when Franz Bopp published an introductory text Nalus, carmen sanscritum e Mahabharato edidit, Latine vertit, et adnotationi illustravit, Franciscus Bopp (1819).
  • Later, the American Sanskrit scholar Charles Rockwell Lanman used the story of Nala and Damayanti as the first text in his introductory A Sanskrit Reader: Text and Vocabulary and Notes (1883).

See also

  • The Story of Nal and Damayanti in Bhakti and Sufism Accounts
  • Nalodayam Kavyam
  • Nala and Damayanti

References

Further reading

  • Jours d'amour et d'épreuve, l'histoire du roi Nala, pièce de Kathakali (Nalacaritam) de Unnâyi Vâriyar, (XVIIè-XVIIIè siècle), traduction du malayâlam, introduction et notes par Dominique Vitalyos, Gallimard, Connaissance de l'Orient, 1995.
  • The Naishadha-charita (story of Nala and Damayanti) English translation by K. K. Handiqui [proofread] (includes glossary)
  • Hindi Story of Nal Damyanti at ajabgjab.com