Vyasa

Aranyaka Parva›The Tale of Nala and Damayanti

The Gods Grant Nala Eight Boons

Why "Major"?

Causal ReachTop 80%
Character WeightTop 80%
State ChangeTop 95%
Narrative RecallTop 50%

~1 min read

After Damayanti chooses Nala, the four gods — delighted by her choice — each grant Nala two boons: Indra gives him presence at sacrifices and supreme sacred goals; Agni gives him his presence whenever desired and resplendent worlds; Yama gives him taste of food and establishment in dharma; Varuna gives him his presence and a fragrant garland. The gods return to heaven, the kings depart, and Nala marries Damayanti, ruling righteously like Yayati.

When Bhima's daughter chose Nishadha, the lords of the worlds were delighted. They had come to the svayamvara hoping to win Damayanti for themselves, but they had seen her devotion, heard her prayer, and witnessed her choice. They were not displeased. Together, they decided to give Nala eight boons. Shachi's husband Shakra — Indra, king of the gods — spoke first. He granted Nala that he would be able to see him at sacrifices and would attain the supreme of sacred goals. Agni, the fire god, gave him the boon that he would be present whenever Nishadha desired it. Hutashana, the eater of offerings, also gave him worlds as resplendent as himself. Yama, the god of dharma and death, gave him the capacity to taste the essence of food and supreme establishment in dharma. The lord of the waters — Varuna — promised to be present whenever Nishadha desired and also gave a fragrant garland. Thus each of the four gods gave two boons. Having granted them, they returned to the world of the gods. The kings who had assembled for the svayamvara had witnessed Damayanti's wedding in great wonder. They were extremely happy and returned whence they had come. Nala had obtained a gem among women. He pleasured with her like the slayer of Bala and Vritra with Shachi — like Indra himself with his queen. The king was extremely happy and as resplendent as the sun. He pleased his subjects by protecting them in accordance with the dharma of the brave. Like Yayati, the son of Nahusha, he performed ashvamedha and many other sacrifices, offering large quantities of gifts. With Damayanti, Nala — like an immortal — again pleasured himself in woods and groves full of flowers. That lord of men sacrificed and sported thus. The lord of the earth protected the earth and all its treasures.

Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 351