Damayantī

Damayanti is a character in a love story found in the Vana Parva book of the Mahabharata. She is the daughter of Bhima (not the Pandava) and a princess of the Vidarbha Kingdom, who marries King Nala of the Nishadha kingdom. The character is also found in other Hindu texts by many authors in numerous Indian languages. She, along with Nala, are the central characters in the 12th century text Nishadha Charita, one of the five mahakavyas (great epic poems) in the canon of Sanskrit literature, written by Sriharsha. Legend Marriage Damayanti is described to be a beautiful princess of the Vidarbha Kingdom. Having heard the praises of Nala, the king of the Nishadas, in her presence, she grew attracted to him, even though she had never met him. Nala also developed feelings for Damayanti in the same fashion. Once, Nala observed a few swans with golden wings in a grove, and caught one of them. The swan promised to speak highly of him in Damayanti's presence in return for its life. The swan flew to the princess and exalted Nala, persuading her to become the king's wife. Following this incident, Damayanti grew infatuated with Nala. Her friends, who observed her lovesick state, informed her father, King Bhima, that she was ill. The king arranged a svayamvara (self-choice) ceremony for his daughter's wedding. Meanwhile, Narada visited Indra, informing him of the journey of mortal kings and princes to Vidarbha, all of whom sought Damayanti's hand. A number of deities appeared at Indra's court, hearing Narada's description of the princess. They also conveyed their desire to marry Damayanti. Catching sight of Nala, who was also travelling to Damayanti's svayamvara, they tasked him to be their messenger to Damayanti, to ask her to marry one of them. Despite his objections, Nala promptly found Damayanti amid her friends, introduced himself, and conveyed the deities' message. Damayanti informed Nala that she wished to marry him and him alone, and told him that she would choose him during the svayamvara to dissuade his reluctance. Nala informed the deities of their conversation. During the ceremony, Damayanti observed five men who looked exactly like Nala. After some reflection, she proclaimed her decision to marry the king of the Nishadas, and urged the deities to reveal their true forms to her. Moved by Damayanti's love, they acquiesced, allowing her to marry Nala, to the joy of all the deities.