Once Nala, a powerful Nishada king with a vast kingdom, caught a swan who told him about Damayanti, the daughter of the King of Vidarbha. The swan went to Damayanti and told her about the handsome Nala. The king invited everyone to her swayamvara including Nala. On the way, several gods asked him to plead with her on their behalf, and he did. But she garlanded Nala at the ceremony. The jealous gods made Nala lose everything in gambling. Nala and Damayanti sent their children to her parents, while they roamed forests. One day, feeling guilty, Nala went away. Damayanti returned to Vidarbha after much suffering. Nala had became ugly. He became Bahuka and served the King Rituparna of Ayodhya, who taught him proper gambling. Damayanti held a fake second swayamvara, knowing Nala would come. Nala went with his master. Damayanti recognized him. He won back his kingdom and they lived happily.
Nala and Damayanti
