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3 – Damayanti – a Sanskrit word that means one who’s calm and serene

The northern king also rejoiced, as he was blessed with a baby boy radiating a peculiar glow. Like his father, the prince grew up guided by the virtues of life. The boy transformed into a handsome and valiant young man, a physique that rivaled the chiseled marbles adorning the royal gardens. The prince amassed boundless knowledge and wisdom through years of penance. He was an astute marksman and the swiftest charioteer. Well-versed in ancient texts, he was a favorite pupil of revered sages and saints. He held a special place in his heart for animals, and it almost seemed as if he could communicate with them in their own language. Proficient in the arts of war and peace, the prince embodied greatness and humility. Every woman he passed by deeply admired him, enthralled by his presence. They would surrender their every sense to their beloved prince Nal.

Peerless among men,

Peerless among the living beauty,

Blessed be their reunion.

"Have you heard about the Princess and the Prince? A queen and her only king? Have you heard about Nal and Damayanti?" – asked not only humans but also animals, birds, and even the elements to one another. Beasts began to howl in a soothing melody and the wind carried the fragrance of sandalwood and jasmines. Rivers flowed along their beautiful curves with renewed excitement, and birds sang a peculiar harmony. The barren foothills of the Vindhyas transformed into an oasis of love and musings. Rumormongers gathered from both sides of the mountains, sharing their stories. Every tree in the forest bloomed with fruits and flowers, while every beast seemed to have become gentle and kind. Flocks of birds flew up and down between the two kingdoms, perhaps searching for the peerless lovers, intrigued by the stirring rumuors that kept spreading in all ten directions.

The Love was born,

Long before it had a heartbeat.

Nal and Damayanti soon became the audience to their own rumors. Deeply fascinated by each other, they couldn't contain their silent passions any longer. Impatient for love, just a glimpse of each other was all they needed to ignite a bonfire of love that was meant to be. They began to drift away from their daily routines, sinking slowly into a world of disbelief. The once radiant glow that emanated from their bodies was lost in the haze of the unknown as they gazed toward each other, attempting to transcend the boundaries of the horizons that constrained the reach of their eager eyes, yearning to indulge in the sight of one another.