Sages & Others
Damayanti
दमयन्ती
The Princess of Vidarbha
Who was Damayanti?
Damayanti (दमयन्ती): The Princess of Vidarbha, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. Daughter of the king of Vidarbha, who fell in love with Nala on the word of a golden swan and, at her swayamvara, picked the mortal man out of five identical figures when four gods had taken his form.
Quick Facts
| Sanskrit name | दमयन्ती |
|---|---|
| Title / Epithet | The Princess of Vidarbha |
| Faction | Sages & Others |
| Key traits | Constant, Resourceful, Enduring, Clever |
| Notable relationships | Husband: Nala, Chronicler of her story: Brihadashva |
| Featured in | 1 story |
About Damayanti
Daughter of the king of Vidarbha, who fell in love with Nala on the word of a golden swan and, at her swayamvara, picked the mortal man out of five identical figures when four gods had taken his form. When Nala lost his kingdom at dice and abandoned her sleeping in the forest, she walked on alone, cursed a hunter to ashes, served as a queen's attendant under a false name, and drew her husband back by a swayamvara she never meant to hold.
In Their Words
I chose you knowing you were only a man. I have not changed my choice.
Damayanti
Traits
- Constant
- Resourceful
- Enduring
- Clever
Story Appearances
Character Arc
- The ChoicePicks Nala from among four gods wearing his shape
- The WakingFinds half her garment cut away and her husband gone
- The SummonsAnnounces a second swayamvara to flush Nala out
Key Relationships
- HusbandNala
- Chronicler of her storyBrihadashva
Places in Damayanti's Story
Drawn from the story Damayanti appears in.
Related Characters
Others counted among the Sages & Others.