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In Hindu mythology, Nala and Damayanti were lovers who overcame various obstacles to marry and live happily. Their story appears in the Hindu epiclong poem about legendary or historical heroes, written in a grand style the Mahabharata and in the Naiadhiyacarita, a poem written by the poet Shriharsha.

According to legend, Nala was the young, handsome, and skillful king of Nishadha in central India. Damayanti, said to be the most beautiful girl in the world, was the daughter of King Bhima of Vidarbha, a neighboring country. One day Nala captured a swan. In return for freedom, the swan flew to Vidarbha and praised the virtues of Nala to Damayanti. After hearing about him, Damayanti hoped that he would fall in love with her.

Soon after, Damayanti's father decided to find a suitable husband for his daughter and invited many princes to his palace. Several...