55. NALA-DAMAYANTI MEET

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > AARANYA PARVA > NALOPAAKHYAANA PARVA > CHAPTER 55 - NALA-DAMAYANTI MEET

“Brihadashwa continued, ‘O Bharata (Yudhishthira), Nala pledged his word to Devas saying, ‘I will do it.’ Then approaching these, he asked with folded hands ‘Who are you? And who also is he that desires me to be his messenger? And what, further, shall I have to do for you? O tell me truly!’ When the king of the Nishadhas (Nala) spoke thus, Maghavat (Lord Indra) replied, saying, ‘Know us as the immortals (Amaraa in Sanskrit) arriving here for Damayanti’s sake. I am (Lord) Indra, this one is Agni, this the lord of waters, and this, O king (Nala), is Yama the destroyer of the bodies of men. You do inform Damayanti of our arrival, saying, ‘The guardians of the world (Lokapaalaas in Sanskrit), (consisting of) the great Indra and the others, are coming to the sabha, desirous of seeing (the Swayamvara). Devas, Shakra, Agni, Varuna and Yama, desire to obtain you. You do, therefore, choose one of them for your lord.’

“Thus, addressed by Shakra, Nala said with joined hands, ‘I have come here with the same objective. It is your duty not to send me (on this purpose). How can a person who is himself under the influence of love bring himself to speak thus to a lady on behalf of others? Therefore, spare me, O Devas.’

“Devas, however, said, ‘O ruler of the Nishadhas (Nala), having promised first, saying, ‘I will!’ why will you not act accordingly now? O ruler of the Nishadhas, tell us this without delay.’

“Brihadashwa continued, ‘Thus addressed by those Devas, the ruler of Nishadhas (Nala) spoke again, saying, ‘Those mansions are well-guarded. How can I hope to enter them?’ (Lord) Indra replied, ‘You shall be able to enter.’ Saying, ‘So be it.’ Nala immediately went to the palace of Damayanti. Having arrived there, he saw the daughter of the king of Vidarbha surrounded by her hand-maids, blazing in beauty and excelling in symmetry of form, of bodyparts exceedingly delicate, of slender waist and fair eyes. She seemed to shy away the light of the moon by her own splendour. As he gazed on that lady of sweet smiles, Nala’s love increased, but desirous of keeping his truth, he suppressed his passion. At the sight of Naishadha (Nala), overpowered by his brightness, those first of women sprang up from their seats in amazement. Filled with wonder (at his sight), they praised Nala in gladness of heart. Without saying anything, they mentally paid him homage, ‘Oh, what an appearance! Oh, what gentleness belongs to this Mahatma! Who is he? Is he some Deva or Yaksha or Gandharva?’

“Those foremost of women, confounded by Nala’s splendour and bashfulness would not welcome him at all in speech. Damayanti although herself struck with amazement, smilingly addressed the warlike Nala who also gently smiled at her, saying, ‘Who are you, O you of faultless features, that have come here awakening my love? O sinless one, O hero of divine form, I am anxious to know who you are that have come here. Why have you come here? How is it that you have not been discovered by any one, considering that my apartments are well-guarded and the king’s mandates are stern?’

“Thus addressed by the daughter of the king of the Vidarbhas, Nala replied, ‘O beautiful lady, know that my name is Nala. I come here as the messenger of Devas. Devas, Shakra (Lord Indra), Agni, Varuna and Yama, desire to have you. O beautiful lady, you do choose one of them for your lord. It is through their power that I have entered here unperceived, and it is for this reason that none saw me on my way or obstructed my entrance. O gentle one, I have been sent by the foremost of Devas for this objective. Hearing this, O fortunate one, do what you please.’”