King Nala of Nishada, son of Vipassana, and were known as great lovers in the Puranic literature. They were foresters in their previous births— with the same name, Ahuka and Ahuka. They were granted a boon by Siva that they would be born in royal families in their following birth. According to Siva Purana, Siva helped in their romance as the swan who flew from Nala to tell Damayanti about him.