Vīrasena of Niṣadha

Vīrasena was the king of Niṣadha and the father of Nala, the hero of the Nala-Damayantī Upākhyāna in the Mahābhārata. The account names him only briefly, as the founder of Nala’s line. His name means “he who has a heroic army”.

In the account

The Mahābhārata introduces Nala in these words:

Vīrasenasya putro

This means “the son of Vīrasena”. Naming the father in this way shows that Nala is rightly the king of Niṣadha, and places him in a line of distinguished kings. Beyond this first mention, Vīrasena takes no active part in the account.

Sources

• Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, Chapter 52