Damayanthi and Nala were happily married for 12 years when Nala, in a game of Dice with his cousin, lost all he possessed and was forced to leave his palace with just a single garment to cover his body. Against Nala’s wishes, Damayanthi followed him into the forest. Desperately hungry, Nala tried to use the cloth he was wearing to catch a few birds, but unfortunately lost his garment to the birds, who flew away with it. Feeling helpless and shamed, the naked Nala fell to the ground. Damayanthi ripped into two the cloth that draped her body, and covered her husband. Unable to see his wife suffer in such poverty, the foolish man runs away while she slept. After many terrible days of misfortune and separation, the two are reunited and Nala wins back all that he had once lost – family and fortune.

We see in Damayanthi a strong-willed woman who is unafraid to share husband’s misfortunes. She never stops loving him and always stands by him. Nala on the other hand, is consumed by shame and guilt. His ability to cope with misfortune leaves much to be desired.

Pattanaik