Nala Damayanti

Damayanti is a Vidharba princess who is in love with king Nala, a Nishada ruler, having heard of his exploits from a golden swan. Damayanti’s beauty is unparalleled, and many men desire her, including the Gods. When her father announces her swayamvara (a wedding where the bride chooses her groom from a host of invited kings), several suitors arrive. Many Gods arrive as guests with the mortals, eager to be the chosen one.

The Gods Indra, Varuna Agni and Yama meet Nala (who is also invited to the swayamvara) on the way. Knowing that they do not stand a chance against Nala, they assign him the task of conveying to Damayanti that she should choose her husband from one of the four Gods. A heart-broken Nala is obliged to carry out their orders. Damayanti is thrilled to meet her hero in the flesh, but is disappointed upon hearing his message. She consoles him and sends him away with a reply to the Gods, ‘I will only choose Nala; my heart is set on him.’ 

Hearing this, the Gods decide to trick Damayanti by disguising themselves as Nala. When the princess enters the hall with the flower garland in her hands, she is puzzled to see not one, but five Nalas! She prays to the Gods to direct her to the correct Nala. Her prayers are answered, and Damayanti is able to make out the differences between the human king and the Gods. Nala’s brow has a fine film of sweat upon it and his feet are firmly upon the ground. The Gods on the other hand have an ethereal perfection, and their feet do not touch the ground. She happily garlands Nala, and the wedding is solemnised. 

The four Gods are unhappy with this, but conceal their feelings and congratulate the new couple. As they are on their return journey, the Gods meet Kali Bhagavan, who was also invited to participate in the swayamvara, but has arrived late. The jealous Gods sow the seed of hatred and jealousy in Kali Bhagavan. An embittered Kali vows to take revenge on Nala. 

Kali lies in wait for years. In the meanwhile, Nala and Damayanti lead a happy life, and bear two children, a son and a daughter. Kali finds the perfect occasion when Nala enters the prayer room without washing his feet, and possesses the king. This possession is believed to be during the seven and a half years of Shani’s influence on the king. 

Nala’s fortunes rapidly decline. He loses his kingdom in a game of dice, and is forced on to the streets with his loyal wife. He is separated from his dear Damayanti when he decides to abandon her to protect her from his misfortunes. He loses his good looks when he is turned into a dark dwarf resulting from the bite of the snake king Karkotakan. The snake king assures him that this is a blessing in disguise, and will come in handy for Nala who is trying to remain incognito.

A broken Damayanti returns to her father’s kingdom with her children. Nala, now in the form of an ugly dwarf, serves in the stables of King Rituparna. By some lucky chance, Damayanti discovers this. In order to make Nala reveal himself, she announces a fake second swayamvaram after a discussion with her father. 

An invitation is sent only to Rituparna, who makes his way to Vidharba in a chariot driven by Nala, who is heart-broken on hearing of his wife’s decision to remarry when he is still alive. Fate and luck help reunite Nala and Damayanti. With the completion of the seven and a half years, Nala is rid of Kali. His original form is restored to him, and he reunites with his family. He is emboldened by his good fortune, and regains his kingdom by playing a second game of dice.

Legend says that Nala pays his respects to Lord Shaneeshwara at the Darbaranyeshwara Swamy temple in Thirunallar in dripping clothes after taking a dip in the tank, which is now called Nalatheertham.