03.054
bṛhadaśva uvāca॥
Bṛhadaśva said.
atha kāle śubhe prāpte tithau puṇye kṣaṇe tathā। ājuhāva mahīpālān bhīmo rājā svayaṃvare ॥03-54-1॥
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)
tacchrutvā pṛthivīpālāḥ sarve hṛcchayapīḍitāḥ। tvaritāḥ samupājagmur damayantīm abhipsavaḥ॥03-54-2॥
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)
kanakastambharuciraṁ toraṇena virājitam। viviśuste mahāraṅgaṁ nṛpāḥ siṁhā ivācalam॥03-54-3॥
Adorned with an archway and brilliant with golden pillars, those kings entered the great assembly-hall like lions entering a mountain. (03-54-3)
tatrāsaneṣu vividheṣvāsīnāḥ pṛthivīkṣitaḥ। surabhisragdharāḥ sarve sumṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalāḥ ॥03-54-4॥
There, all were seated on various seats, looking down at the earth, adorned with fragrant garlands and polished gemstone earrings. (03-54-4)
tāṃ rājasamitiṃ pūrṇāṃ nāgair bhogavatīm iva। sampūrṇāṃ puruṣavyāghrair vyāghrair giriguhām iva ॥03-54-5॥
That royal assembly, filled with elephants like Bhogavatī, (and) crowded with tiger-like men, resembled a mountain cave teeming with tigers. (03-54-5)
tatra sma pīnā dṛśyante bāhavaḥ parighopamāḥ। ākāravantaḥ suślakṣṇāḥ pañcaśīrṣā ivoragāḥ॥03-54-6॥
There, indeed, thick arms are seen, resembling iron bars, well-formed, very smooth, like serpents with five heads. (03-54-6)
sukeśāntāni cāruṇi sunāsāni śubhāni ca। mukhāni rājñāṃ śobhante nakṣatrāṇi yathā divi॥03-54-7॥
The faces of the kings, with beautiful hair, charm, lovely noses, and auspiciousness, shine like stars in the sky. (03-54-7)
damayantī tato raṅgaṃ praviveśa śubhānanā। muṣṇantī prabhayā rājñāṃ cakṣūṃṣi ca manāṃsi ca॥03-54-8॥
Then Damayanti, resplendent and beautiful-faced, entered the arena, stealing by her radiance the eyes and minds of the kings. (03-54-8)
tasyā gātreṣu patitā teṣāṃ dṛṣṭir mahātmanām। tatra tatraiva saktābhūn na cacāla ca paśyatām॥03-54-9॥
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)
tataḥ saṅkīrtyamāneṣu rājñāṃ nāmasu bhārata. dadarśa bhaimī puruṣān pañca tulyākṛtīn iva ॥03-54-10॥
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)
tān samīkṣya tataḥ sarvān nirviśeṣākṛtīn sthitān। saṃdehād atha vaidarbhī nābhyajānān nalaṃ nṛpam ॥ yaṃ yaṃ hi dadṛśe teṣāṃ taṃ taṃ mene nalaṃ nṛpam ॥03-54-11॥
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)
sā cintayantī buddhyātha tarkayāmāsa bhāminī। kathaṁ nu devāñjānīyāṁ kathaṁ vidyāṁ nalaṁ nṛpam ॥03-54-12॥
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)
evaṃ sañcintayantī sā vaidarbhī bhṛśaduḥkhitā। śrutāni devaliṅgāni cintayāmāsa bhārata ॥03-54-13॥
Thus, the lady of Vidarbha, greatly afflicted, was reflecting; having heard the divine omens, she considered them, O Bhārata. (03-54-13)
devānāṃ yāni liṅgāni sthavirebhyaḥ śrutāni me। tānīha tiṣṭhatāṃ bhūmāvekasyāpi na lakṣaye॥03-54-14॥
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)
sā viniścitya bahudhā vicārya ca punaḥ punaḥ। śaraṇaṃ prati devānāṃ prāptakālam amanyata ॥03-54-15॥
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)
vācā ca manasā caiva namaskāraṃ prayujya sā। devebhyaḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā vepamānedamabravīt॥03-54-16॥
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)
haṁsānāṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā yathā me naiṣadho vṛtaḥ। patitve tena satyena devās taṁ pradiśantu me॥03-54-17॥
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)
vācā ca manasā caiva yathā na abhicarāmy aham। tena satyena vibudhās tam eva pradiśantu me॥03-54-18॥
By the truth that I do not transgress in speech or mind, may the wise gods grant him to me. (03-54-18)
yathā devaiḥ sa me bhartā vihito niṣadhādhipaḥ। tena satyena me devās tameva pradiśantu me॥03-54-19॥
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)
svaṃ caiva rūpaṃ puṣyantu lokapālāḥ saheśvarāḥ। yathāhamabhijānīyāṃ puṇyaślokaṃ narādhipam॥03-54-20॥
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)
niśamya damayantyās tat-karuṇaṃ paridevitam। niścayaṃ paramaṃ tathyam-anurāgaṃ ca naiṣadhe ॥03-54-21॥
Having heard that pitiful lament of Damayantī, he formed a supreme, true resolve of love toward Naiṣadha (Nala). (03-54-21)
manoviśuddhiṁ buddhiṁ ca bhaktiṁ rāgaṁ ca bhārata। yathoktaṁ cakrire devāḥ sāmarthyaṁ liṅgadhāraṇe ॥03-54-22॥
O Bhārata, as mentioned, the gods endowed purity of mind, intellect, devotion, and attachment, as the power in assuming the form. (03-54-22)
sāpaśyadvibudhānsarvānasvedānstabdhālocanān। hṛṣitasragrajohīnānsthitaānaspṛśataḥ kṣitim ॥03-54-23॥
She saw all the gods, unsweating, with motionless eyes, whose garlands’ pollen was undisturbed, standing without touching the ground. (03-54-23)
chāyādvitīyo mlānasrag-rajah-sveda-samanvitaḥ। bhūmiṣṭho naiṣadhaś-caiva nimeṣeṇa ca sūcitaḥ॥03-54-24॥
Nala, accompanied by a second shadow, faded garland-dust, and sweat, sitting on the ground, was instantly recognized. (03-54-24)
sā samīkṣya tato devān puṇyaślokaṃ ca bhārata। naiṣadhaṃ varayāmāsa bhaimī dharmeṇa bhārata॥03-54-25॥
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)
vilajjamanā vastrānte jagrāhāyatalocanā। skandhadeśe'sṛjaccāsya srajaṃ paramaśobhanām॥ varayāmāsa caivainaṃ patitve varavarṇinī॥03-54-26॥
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)
tato hā heti sahasā śabdo mukto narādhipaiḥ। devair maharṣibhiś caiva sādhu sādhv iti bhārata॥ vismitair īritaḥ śabdaḥ praśaṃsadbhir nalaṃ nṛpam॥03-54-27॥
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)
vṛte tu naiṣadhe bhaimyā lokapālā mahaujasaḥ। prahṛṣṭamanasaḥ sarve nalāyāṣṭau varān daduḥ ॥03-54-28॥
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)
pratyakṣadarśanaṃ yajñe gatiṃ cānuttamāṃ śubhām। naiṣadhāya dadau śakraḥ prīyamāṇaḥ śacīpatiḥ॥03-54-29॥
Śakra, the husband of Śacī, being pleased, gave to Naiṣadha (Nala) direct sight in the sacrifice and the most auspicious state. (03-54-29)
agnir ātmabhavaṃ prādādyatra vāñchati naiṣadhaḥ। lokān ātmaprabhāṃścaiva dadau tasmai hutāśanaḥ॥03-54-30॥
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)
yamastvannarasaṁ prādāddharme ca paramāṁ sthitim। apāmpatirapāṁ bhāvaṁ yatra vāñchati naiṣadhaḥ ॥03-54-31॥
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)
srajaṃ cottamagandhāḍhyāṃ sarve ca mithunaṃ daduḥ। varānevaṃ pradāyāsya devāste tridivaṃ gatāḥ ॥03-54-32॥
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)
pārthivāś cānubhūyāsyā vivāhaṁ vismayānvitāḥ। damayantyāḥ pramuditāḥ pratijagmur yathāgatam ॥03-54-33॥
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)
avāpya nārī-ratnaṃ tat-puṇyaśloko'pi pārthivaḥ। reme saha tayā rājā śacy-eva balavṛtrahā॥03-54-34॥
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)
atīva mudito rājā bhrājamāno'śumān iva। arañjayat prajā vīraḥ dharmeṇa paripālayan ॥03-54-35॥
The king, filled with great joy and shining like the sun, the heroic protector upheld his subjects in righteousness. (03-54-35)
īje cāpy aśvamedhena yayātir iva nāhuṣaḥ। anyaiś ca kratubhir dhīmān bahubhiś cāpta-dakṣiṇaiḥ॥03-54-36॥
Like Yayāti, Nāhuṣa also performed the aśvamedha sacrifice and many other sacrifices, all with appropriate gifts, being wise. (03-54-36)
punaś ca ramaṇīyeṣu vaneṣu upavaneṣu ca. damayantyā saha nalo vijahāra amara-upamaḥ ॥03-54-37॥
Once again, Nala, like a god, enjoyed himself with Damayantī in the beautiful forests and groves. (03-54-37)
evaṁ sa yajamānaś ca viharaṁś ca narādhipaḥ। rarakṣa vasusampūrṇāṁ vasudhāṁ vasudhādhipaḥ॥03-54-38॥
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)
