03.054
बृहदश्व उवाच॥
Bṛhadaśva said.
अथ काले शुभे प्राप्ते तिथौ पुण्ये क्षणे तथा। आजुहाव महीपालान्भीमो राजा स्वयंवरे ॥०३-५४-१॥
Then, when the auspicious time had arrived on the holy lunar day and at the sacred moment, King Bhīma summoned the kings for the svayaṃvara. (03-54-1)
तच्छ्रुत्वा पृथिवीपालाः सर्वे हृच्छयपीडिताः। त्वरिताः समुपाजग्मुर्दमयन्तीमभीप्सवः ॥०३-५४-२॥
Hearing that, all the kings of the world, overcome with love in their hearts, quickly came together to Damayanti, each wishing to win her. (03-54-2)
कनकस्तम्भरुचिरं तोरणेन विराजितम्। विविशुस्ते महारङ्गं नृपाः सिंहा इवाचलम् ॥०३-५४-३॥
Adorned with an archway and brilliant with golden pillars, those kings entered the great assembly-hall like lions entering a mountain. (03-54-3)
तत्रासनेषु विविधेष्वासीनाः पृथिवीक्षितः। सुरभिस्रग्धराः सर्वे सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डलाः ॥०३-५४-४॥
There, all were seated on various seats, looking down at the earth, adorned with fragrant garlands and polished gemstone earrings. (03-54-4)
तां राजसमितिं पूर्णां नागैर्भोगवतीमिव। सम्पूर्णां पुरुषव्याघ्रैर्व्याघ्रैर्गिरिगुहामिव ॥०३-५४-५॥
That royal assembly, filled with elephants like Bhogavatī, (and) crowded with tiger-like men, resembled a mountain cave teeming with tigers. (03-54-5)
तत्र स्म पीना दृश्यन्ते बाहवः परिघोपमाः। आकारवन्तः सुश्लक्ष्णाः पञ्चशीर्षा इवोरगाः ॥०३-५४-६॥
There, indeed, thick arms are seen, resembling iron bars, well-formed, very smooth, like serpents with five heads. (03-54-6)
सुकेशान्तानि चारूणि सुनासानि शुभानि च। मुखानि राज्ञां शोभन्ते नक्षत्राणि यथा दिवि ॥०३-५४-७॥
The faces of the kings, with beautiful hair, charm, lovely noses, and auspiciousness, shine like stars in the sky. (03-54-7)
दमयन्ती ततो रङ्गं प्रविवेश शुभानना। मुष्णन्ती प्रभया राज्ञां चक्षूंषि च मनांसि च ॥०३-५४-८॥
Then Damayanti, resplendent and beautiful-faced, entered the arena, stealing by her radiance the eyes and minds of the kings. (03-54-8)
तस्या गात्रेषु पतिता तेषां दृष्टिर्महात्मनाम्। तत्र तत्रैव सक्ताभून्न चचाल च पश्यताम् ॥०३-५४-९॥
The gaze of those great-souled ones, having fallen upon her limbs, remained fixed right there and did not move as they looked. (03-54-9)
ततः सङ्कीर्त्यमानेषु राज्ञां नामसु भारत। ददर्श भैमी पुरुषान्पञ्च तुल्याकृतीनिव ॥०३-५४-१०॥
Then, as the names of the kings were being extolled, O Bhārata, Bhīma's daughter saw five men who appeared almost identical. (03-54-10)
तान्समीक्ष्य ततः सर्वान्निर्विशेषाकृतीन्स्थितान्। संदेहादथ वैदर्भी नाभ्यजानान्नलं नृपम् ॥ यं यं हि ददृशे तेषां तं तं मेने नलं नृपम् ॥०३-५४-११॥
Then, having observed them all standing with indistinguishable appearance, the princess of Vidarbha, due to doubt, could not recognize king Nala. Whoever she saw among them, she thought that one was king Nala. (03-54-11)
सा चिन्तयन्ती बुद्ध्याथ तर्कयामास भामिनी। कथं नु देवाञ्जानीयां कथं विद्यां नलं नृपम् ॥०३-५४-१२॥
She, thinking and reasoning with her intellect, the radiant lady began to ponder: "How indeed may I distinguish the gods? How may I recognize King Nala?" (03-54-12)
एवं सञ्चिन्तयन्ती सा वैदर्भी भृशदुःखिता। श्रुतानि देवलिङ्गानि चिन्तयामास भारत ॥०३-५४-१३॥
Thus, the lady of Vidarbha, greatly afflicted, was reflecting; having heard the divine omens, she considered them, O Bhārata. (03-54-13)
देवानां यानि लिङ्गानि स्थविरेभ्यः श्रुतानि मे। तानीह तिष्ठतां भूमावेकस्यापि न लक्षये ॥०३-५४-१४॥
I do not see even a single one of the signs of the gods, as I have heard from the elders, here present on earth. (03-54-14)
सा विनिश्चित्य बहुधा विचार्य च पुनः पुनः। शरणं प्रति देवानां प्राप्तकालममन्यत ॥०३-५४-१५॥
She, having determined and considered in many ways again and again, thought that the time to seek refuge with the gods had arrived. (03-54-15)
वाचा च मनसा चैव नमस्कारं प्रयुज्य सा। देवेभ्यः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा वेपमानेदमब्रवीत् ॥०३-५४-१६॥
She, having paid obeisance to the gods both by speech and by mind, and standing with joined palms, trembling, spoke these words. (03-54-16)
हंसानां वचनं श्रुत्वा यथा मे नैषधो वृतः। पतित्वे तेन सत्येन देवास्तं प्रदिशन्तु मे ॥०३-५४-१७॥
Having heard the words of the swans, as I have chosen Nishadha (Nala) for my husband, by that truth, may the gods grant him to me. (03-54-17)
वाचा च मनसा चैव यथा नाभिचराम्यहम्। तेन सत्येन विबुधास्तमेव प्रदिशन्तु मे ॥०३-५४-१८॥
By the truth that I do not transgress in speech or mind, may the wise gods grant him to me. (03-54-18)
यथा देवैः स मे भर्ता विहितो निषधाधिपः। तेन सत्येन मे देवास्तमेव प्रदिशन्तु मे ॥०३-५४-१९॥
Just as my husband was appointed king of Niṣadha by the gods, by that truth, may the gods reveal only him to me. (03-54-19)
स्वं चैव रूपं पुष्यन्तु लोकपालाः सहेश्वराः। यथाहमभिजानीयां पुण्यश्लोकं नराधिपम् ॥०३-५४-२०॥
Let the guardians of the world together with their lords nourish their own form, so that I may recognize the illustrious king. (03-54-20)
निशम्य दमयन्त्यास्तत्करुणं परिदेवितम्। निश्चयं परमं तथ्यमनुरागं च नैषधे ॥०३-५४-२१॥
Having heard that pitiful lament of Damayantī, he formed a supreme, true resolve of love toward Naiṣadha (Nala). (03-54-21)
मनोविशुद्धिं बुद्धिं च भक्तिं रागं च भारत। यथोक्तं चक्रिरे देवाः सामर्थ्यं लिङ्गधारणे ॥०३-५४-२२॥
O Bhārata, as mentioned, the gods endowed purity of mind, intellect, devotion, and attachment, as the power in assuming the form. (03-54-22)
सापश्यद्विबुधान्सर्वानस्वेदान्स्तब्धलोचनान्। हृषितस्रग्रजोहीनान्स्थितानस्पृशतः क्षितिम् ॥०३-५४-२३॥
She saw all the gods, unsweating, with motionless eyes, whose garlands’ pollen was undisturbed, standing without touching the ground. (03-54-23)
छायाद्वितीयो म्लानस्रग्रजःस्वेदसमन्वितः। भूमिष्ठो नैषधश्चैव निमेषेण च सूचितः ॥०३-५४-२४॥
Nala, accompanied by a second shadow, faded garland-dust, and sweat, sitting on the ground, was instantly recognized. (03-54-24)
सा समीक्ष्य ततो देवान्पुण्यश्लोकं च भारत। नैषधं वरयामास भैमी धर्मेण भारत ॥०३-५४-२५॥
O Bhārata, after observing the gods and the one of virtuous fame, the daughter of Bhīma (Damayanti) chose the prince of Niṣadha (Nala) according to righteousness. (03-54-25)
विलज्जमाना वस्त्रान्ते जग्राहायतलोचना। स्कन्धदेशेऽसृजच्चास्य स्रजं परमशोभनाम् ॥ वरयामास चैवैनं पतित्वे वरवर्णिनी ॥०३-५४-२६॥
Ashamed, the wide-eyed woman grasped the end of her garment. She placed a most beautiful garland on his shoulder, and the beautifully complexioned woman chose him as her husband. (03-54-26)
ततो हा हेति सहसा शब्दो मुक्तो नराधिपैः। देवैर्महर्षिभिश्चैव साधु साध्विति भारत ॥ विस्मितैरीरितः शब्दः प्रशंसद्भिर्नलं नृपम् ॥०३-५४-२७॥
Then suddenly, the kings uttered sounds of 'alas! oh!'; the gods and great sages also exclaimed 'bravo, bravo!' O Bhārata. Amazed onlookers uttered words of praise for King Nala. (03-54-27)
वृते तु नैषधे भैम्या लोकपाला महौजसः। प्रहृष्टमनसः सर्वे नलायाष्टौ वरान्ददुः ॥०३-५४-२८॥
But when Nala was chosen by Damayantī (the daughter of Bhīma), the mighty guardians of the world, all with delighted hearts, gave eight boons to Nala. (03-54-28)
प्रत्यक्षदर्शनं यज्ञे गतिं चानुत्तमां शुभाम्। नैषधाय ददौ शक्रः प्रीयमाणः शचीपतिः ॥०३-५४-२९॥
Śakra, the husband of Śacī, being pleased, gave to Naiṣadha (Nala) direct sight in the sacrifice and the most auspicious state. (03-54-29)
अग्निरात्मभवं प्रादाद्यत्र वाञ्छति नैषधः। लोकानात्मप्रभांश्चैव ददौ तस्मै हुताशनः ॥०३-५४-३०॥
Agni granted to Nala (the king of Nishadha) whatever he desired, and to him Agni also gave worlds that shine by their own light. (03-54-30)
यमस्त्वन्नरसं प्रादाद्धर्मे च परमां स्थितिम्। अपाम्पतिरपां भावं यत्र वाञ्छति नैषधः ॥०३-५४-३१॥
But Yama granted the essence of food, and the supreme state to Dharma. The Lord of Waters (Varuṇa) gave the nature of waters, as Naiṣadha desired. (03-54-31)
स्रजं चोत्तमगन्धाढ्यां सर्वे च मिथुनं ददुः। वरानेवं प्रदायास्य देवास्ते त्रिदिवं गताः ॥०३-५४-३२॥
The gods gave him a pair and a garland endowed with excellent fragrance; and thus, after granting him boons, they went to heaven. (03-54-32)
पार्थिवाश्चानुभूयास्या विवाहं विस्मयान्विताः। दमयन्त्याः प्रमुदिताः प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥०३-५४-३३॥
The kings, having witnessed Damayanti's wedding and filled with wonder and delight, returned to their homes just as they had come. (03-54-33)
अवाप्य नारीरत्नं तत्पुण्यश्लोकोऽपि पार्थिवः। रेमे सह तया राजा शच्येव बलवृत्रहा॥०३-५४-३४॥
Having obtained that jewel among women, the virtuous king delighted together with her, just as Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, did with his consort Śacī. (03-54-34)
अतीव मुदितो राजा भ्राजमानोऽशुमानिव। अरञ्जयत्प्रजा वीरो धर्मेण परिपालयन् ॥०३-५४-३५॥
The king, filled with great joy and shining like the sun, the heroic protector upheld his subjects in righteousness. (03-54-35)
ईजे चाप्यश्वमेधेन ययातिरिव नाहुषः। अन्यैश्च क्रतुभिर्धीमान्बहुभिश्चाप्तदक्षिणैः ॥०३-५४-३६॥
Like Yayāti, Nāhuṣa also performed the aśvamedha sacrifice and many other sacrifices, all with appropriate gifts, being wise. (03-54-36)
पुनश्च रमणीयेषु वनेषूपवनेषु च। दमयन्त्या सह नलो विजहारामरोपमः ॥०३-५४-३७॥
Once again, Nala, like a god, enjoyed himself with Damayantī in the beautiful forests and groves. (03-54-37)
एवं स यजमानश्च विहरंश्च नराधिपः। ररक्ष वसुसम्पूर्णां वसुधां वसुधाधिपः ॥०३-५४-३८॥
Thus, that king, who was both the sacrificer and one who moved about, protected the earth that was full of riches, being its lord. (03-54-38)
