Narada and Parvata Inform Indra of the Swayamvara
The rishis Narada and Parvata visit Indra's celestial court, and Indra notices that the brave kshatriya kings no longer come to him. Narada explains that Damayanti's svayamvara is imminent — and the lokapalas (guardians of the world), overhearing, decide to go as well. On their way to Vidarbha, the gods encounter Nala and ask him to become their messenger.
The two great rishis, Narada and Parvata — ancient, supreme, rigid in their vows — were roaming the worlds and came to Indra's celestial realm. They entered the palace of the king of the gods and were received with homage. Indra, the lord with a thousand eyes, worshipped them and asked about their welfare.
Narada said: "O lord, we are well in every respect. The entire world is well, and so are the kings."
Indra heard this. Then he asked a question that had been troubling him.
"The righteous lords of the earth give up their lives in fighting. When the time for death arrives through weapons, they go towards it without hesitation. This eternal world is theirs — every object of desire, as it is for me. But I no longer see those brave kshatriyas. Why do those kings no longer come to me as my beloved guests?"
Narada answered: "O illustrious one, listen. The king of Vidarbha has a famous daughter named Damayanti. In her beauty, she surpasses all the women on earth. Her svayamvara is due to take place soon. All the kings and princes are going there. They crave this jewel of the world and desire her immensely."
While they were speaking, the lokapalas — the guardians of the world — arrived before Indra, together with Agni, the god of fire. All of them heard Narada's words. And all of them, happily, said they would go too.
With their followers and their vehicles, the gods set out for Vidarbha, where all the lords of the earth had already gathered.
On their way, they saw a man on the ground. He was like Manmatha (the god of love) personified in his richness of beauty. The lokapalas saw that he was as resplendent as the sun. They wondered at the richness of his beauty and forgot, for a moment, their own resolution.
It was Nala, king of Nishadha, on his way to Damayanti's svayamvara, happy in his heart and with his mind fixed on her.
The gods stopped their vimanas (celestial chariots) in the sky. They descended and addressed the king of Nishadha: "O Nala, you are always devoted to the truth. Help us. Become our messenger." Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 348