03.053
Bṛhadaśva said.
She bowed to the gods, smiled, and said to Nala: "Show affection as you see fit, O king; what do you want me to do for you?" (03-53-1)
O Lord, I and indeed, whatever other wealth I have, all of it—confidently dispose of as your own.
O king, the words of the swans burn me. Indeed, O hero, for your sake I have gathered together the kings. (03-53-3)
If you, O bestower of honor, truly reject me who am devoted to you, I will resort to poison, fire, water, or a rope, all for your sake. (03-53-4)
Thus, when addressed by the princess of Vidarbha, Nala replied to her: 'While the world-guardians are present, why do you wish for a mortal?' (03-53-5)
May my mind dwell among those great-souled lords who are the creators of the worlds, to whom even the dust of their feet I am not equal. (03-53-6)
If a mortal performs acts displeasing to the gods, he surely meets with death. Protect me, O flawless one, and choose the best among the gods. (03-53-7)
Then Damayantī, with a pure smile and tear-choked voice, spoke softly and said to King Nala. (03-53-8)
O king, I have perceived a method, free from harm, by which no fault will arise for you in any way. (03-53-9)
You also, O best of men, as well as the gods led by Agni, may you all together come to the place where my self-choice ceremony will be held. (03-53-10)
Thereafter, O king of men, I will choose you in the presence of the protectors of the worlds, O tiger among men; in this way, there will be no fault. (03-53-11)
Thus, when spoken by the princess of Vidarbha, King Nala, O lord of men, again went to the place where the gods were assembled. (03-53-12)
The guardians of the worlds together with the lords saw him thus approaching. Seeing him, they then asked him for the entire account.
The gods said.
O king, have you seen Damayanti with the pure smile? What did she say to all of us? Please tell, O lord of the earth, O sinless one. (03-53-14)
Nala said.
I was sent by you and, instructed by Damayantī, entered the residence—an immense chamber guarded by staff-bearers and elders. (03-53-15)
And when I entered there, no man saw me except her, the princess, due only to your brilliance. (03-53-16)
Her friends were seen by me and I was also noticed by them. All the lords of the gods were astonished upon seeing me. (03-53-17)
And as I describe all of you as options, O lovely-faced one, the foremost of the gods, with her confusion gone, chooses only me. (03-53-18)
She then said to me, "Let the maiden and the gods come together, along with you, O best of men, to where my svayamvara (self-choice ceremony) is." (03-53-19)
O best of men, I will choose you in their presence. Thus, O mighty-armed one, you will not incur any fault. (03-53-20)
O gods, I have narrated only this much as it happened. The rest of the evidence, O lords of the gods, belongs to you. (03-53-21)
