Damayantī‑Kathā‑Campū – Analysis

Summary

This article studies the Damayantī‑Kathā‑Campū, a narrative that combines prose and verse to recount the legendary story of King Nala and Princess Damayantī. The campū genre allows the author to shift between descriptive prose and ornate poetry, enriching the storytelling. The study analyses the structure of the narrative, noting how the introduction sets the scene, the central section develops the protagonists’ trials, and the conclusion brings about reunion and moral resolution. It highlights the skilful use of metres, alliteration and rhetorical figures in the verses, as well as the economy of language in the prose portions. Comparisons are drawn with earlier versions of the Nala–Damayantī story in the Mahābhārata and the Nalacampū of Trivikramabhaṭṭa. The author argues that the Damayantī‑Kathā‑Campū stands out for its sensitive portrayal of Damayantī’s steadfastness and Nala’s redemption. The article concludes that this work exemplifies the flexibility of the campū form, which could be adapted to various narratives and audiences.