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Dharmic Tales from the Mahabharata - 6 | #dharma #santanadharma #bhagwan #vedavyasa

Writer's picture: YaDuYaDu

Updated: Jan 26



The Mahabharata is regarded as the 'Panchama Veda' or the fifth Veda, signifying that it encapsulates the wisdom of the Vedas through its stories in a summarized manner. This story gives insights on astral realms and spiritual concepts by shedding light on Purusha-Prakriti, Niyata-Dampatitva in Demi-Gods, manifestation (reproduction) process in astral realm (Devaloka) along with deeper interpretations of Nala-Damayanti Narrative.



Summary of the Previous Post:



In the previous post, Nala and Damayanti were in love with each other without ever meeting simply by hearing the admiration of others. The flock of swans facilitated their virtual union. Meanwhile, King Bhīma (not the Pandava, the father of Damayanti) decided it was time for Damayanti to marry invited kings and princes from various realms to participate in her 'Swayamvara'. In heavens, Indra learned of the event through Narada, the great sage. Agni, Varuna, and Yama also expressed their desire too. Together, they descended to Earth and encountered Nala on the way, instructing him to convey Indra's marriage proposal to Damanti. Reluctantly, Nala obeyed and delivered the message to Damayanti.


We also discussed Celestial Messages and Global Dimensions. For further information, please refer to the previous post listed in the related posts section.


The story continues with Damayanti's reply to Nala.


Damayanti clasped her trembling hands, her tear-streaked face tilted toward Nala as her voice quavered with desperation.


“What am I to do now, O King?” she whispered, her heart breaking with every word. “I have given you everything—my heart, my soul. If you abandon me, I will have nothing left. I would rather drink poison or throw myself into the fire than live a life without you.”


Nala's dark eyes softened, even as heart ached. He extended his hand to comfort her, but restrained, his sense of duty holding him back.


“Damayanti,” he said softly, his voice filled with sorrow. “Why do you cling to a mere mortal when the gods themselves desire you? I am nothing compared to them, unworthy even of the dust beneath their feet. How can a man like me defy the divine and hope to survive? Turn your heart to them, for they can give you what I never could—a life of unparalleled glory, filled with heavenly fragrances, eternal beauty, and splendor beyond imagination.”


Damayanti's breath caught as more tears streamed down her cheeks. She shook her head, her voice steady despite the tempest raging within her.No, my lord,” she said with a quiet resolve. “I will bow to the gods, but my heart is yours, and yours alone. I will marry none but you.”


Nala’s hand clenched at his side; his anguish apparent. “Damayanti,” he murmured, “I am their messenger. It is my duty to serve the gods, not my desires.”


But Damayanti refused to yield. Her dark, doe-like eyes blazed with defiance, her love for him shining brighter than ever. “O King,” she said firmly, “I have a plan—a way to honor both the gods and my heart’s yearning. Were you not also on your way to claim my hand? Come with the gods to the swayamvara. When I choose you in their presence, no blame will fall upon you.”



Torn between his duty and his love, he returned to the gods and relayed her plan. Together, they made their way to the Swayamvara Mantapa, a place shimmering with anticipation.



And then, she appeared. Damayanti walked into the hall; her beauty so radiant it seemed to draw every breath from the room. In her delicate hands, she held the garland that would seal her choice. Her every step was poetry in motion, her every glance enough to steal the hearts of even the most stoic of men.



She moved with purpose, stopping before each suitor, her friend introducing their name, kingdom, and lineage. But when her gaze fell upon five figures—each identical to Nala—her world tilted.



How could this be? How could she find her beloved when the gods themselves had taken his form? Her heart pounded in confusion and despair. Closing her eyes, she let her love guide her.



“If my love for Nala is true,” she prayed silently, “reveal him to me. If I have remained steadfast in my devotion, both in word and thought, grant me this blessing. O gods, show me the one I am meant to marry.”



The gods, moved by her sincerity, answered her plea. One by one, they revealed their true forms. Their radiant celestial features stood apart: their garlands never withered, their bodies never perspired, their forms glowed with divine brilliance.



And then she saw him. Her Nala. With a joyous gasp, Damayanti’s eyes filled with tears of relief. She turned to the gods, her gratitude boundless, and bowed before them in reverence. With their silent blessing, she stepped forward, her heart racing with certainty, and placed the garland around Nala’s neck.


The hall erupted in a symphony of cheers and blessings. Elders, sages, and celestial beings alike showered the couple with their goodwill. The gods themselves bestowed gifts upon the newlyweds:



Indra promised Nala the ability to appear at any sacred ritual instantly. Agni vowed to be present whenever Nala called upon him. Yama blessed them with endless sustenance and prosperity.



Their union was blessed, their love now sanctified by the heavens themselves. But as the gods departed, a shadow lingered at the edge of the celebration. Kali (demon) the spirit of envy and discord, watched with a dark fury in his heart. “How could a mere mortal win the hand of a woman so virtuous, so radiant?” he snarled, his jealousy burning like fire.



Driven by rage, Kali vowed to shatter their happiness. He descended upon Nala’s kingdom, searching for a way to sow discord. Yet Nala’s unwavering devotion to Dharma (Vishnu) and his unshakable character thwarted Kali at every turn.



But Kali was patient, for twelve long years, he lingered in the shadows, biding his time, waiting for the slightest misstep that might allow him to strike.



Would Kali succeed in his quest to destroy their love? Or would the bond between Nala and Damayanti prove too strong, too pure, to be undone? Stay tuned for the next chapter in this epic romance.


Insights on Astral Realms and Spiritual Concepts:


While reading the story, a question might be lingering in your mind, similar to Abrahamic religions, 'are mortals allowed to marry immortals (demi-gods)?'. The answer is NO. Even if Damayanti had wished to marry Indra (although she's not a mortal,) she couldn't. Why because in demi-gods, there's the law of 'NIYATA-DAMPATITVA.'


As per the law of 'NIYATA-DAMPATITVA.', demi-gods or even Paramatma (Vishnu) will marry their wives again and again, whenever they incarnate or take forms on earth. They are immortals, 'NIYATA-DAMPATITVA.' signifies that their marriage is eternal. Husband and wife won't be separated from each other, not even for a single second. How is this possible? This question can be answered from the spiritual concept of Yin-Yang (Purusha-Prakriti).


The Spiritual Concept of Yin-Yang:




In recent times, due to shallow culture and transactional lifestyles coupled with divorces, breakups, people yearn for meaningful relationships that fulfill one's emotional as well as other needs. People discovered the term soulmate or twin flame concept, illustrated in Buddhism, Taoism and Zen. But these are originally derived from Vedas and Bhagavad-Gita Chapter-13, stanza 20 -


prakṛitiṁ puruṣhaṁ chaiva viddhy anādī ubhāv api


vikārānśh cha guṇānśh chaiva viddhi prakṛiti-sambhavān


BG 13.20: Know that prakriti (material nature) and purusha (the individual souls) are both beginningless. Also know that all transformations of the body and the three modes of nature are produced by material energy.


In this stanza, Lord Krishna explains that the universe as well as the individual souls (Jeeva:) are composed of purusha-prakriti or yin-yang (as illustrated in Buddhism, Taoism and Zen). Purusha is the divine masculine (Yang) and the Prakriti is the divine feminine (Yin). Purusha is present in the right side of Atman and Prakriti is in the left side. Purusha-Prakriti is the inseparable part of Atman. This makes Atman gender neutral. Gender is for the physical body made of five elements - fire, water, air, earth and ether (sky); not for astral body (made of cosmic energy - known as Kundalini or Chi energy).



Manifestation Process in Demi-Gods (Atman):


Demi-Gods or any Atman are manifested in pairs of divine masculine & divine feminine. Demi-Gods are born in pairs and have two sets of parents. One set act as both parents and in-laws. Together, these parents and in-laws supply the energy that brings forth the souls in pairs—divine masculine and divine feminine. Keep in mind that Atman can neither be created nor destroyed; it always remains constant, composed of energy. Demi-Gods possess astral bodies (made of energy, which is eternal, flawless and imperishable). They don't reproduce like unhygienic humans do.


For ex. - Shiva and Shakti manifest together, Shakti is the inseparable part of Shiva and Shiva is the inseparable part of Shakti. Shiva is the masculine part of Shakti and Shakti is the feminine part of Shiva. In Lord Shiva, Shakti (divine feminine) is less but Shiva (divine masculine) is more. The converse is true with Shakti Maa (Parvati). Shiva-Shakti is an eternal pair husband-wife. This is seen in Ardha-Nareeshwara avatar of Shiva,



Deeper Interpretation of Nala-Damayanti Narrative:


The Puranas and the Mahabharata can be likened to plays performed by Devatas (demi-gods) and Danavas (demons), following the directives and desires of Lord Vishnu. Like Shiva-Shakti (by their grace), Nala-Damayanti (Demi-God) are eternal pairs. Whenever they take avatars, they remain husband wife.


Supreme Lord Vishnu challenges devotees with hardships to cleanse them of ego and the six human enemies: lust, anger, greed, arrogance, envy, and infatuation (represented by Kali Demon, in the story) Similarly, the Lord sent powerful demi-gods, the Indriya-Abhimani devatas (the deities responsible for the proper functioning of the sense organs) such as Agni, Varuna, and Yama, to test Nala-Damayanti. By the Lord's grace, Nala-Damayanti successfully overcame the test, and throughout the Mahabharata, they will face numerous challenges from Lord Vishnu, which they will overcome with his grace. God bestows a lot of favors once you pass his tests.


May the Lord bless you all!


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Thank you so much!

श्रीमध्वेशकृष्णार्पणमस्तु


YaDu,

On behalf of Get Inspired Spiritually.








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