03.054
Bṛhadaśva said.
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)
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)
Adorned with an archway and brilliant with golden pillars, those kings entered the great assembly-hall like lions entering a mountain. (03-54-3)
There, all were seated on various seats, looking down at the earth, adorned with fragrant garlands and polished gemstone earrings. (03-54-4)
That royal assembly, filled with elephants like Bhogavatī, (and) crowded with tiger-like men, resembled a mountain cave teeming with tigers. (03-54-5)
There, indeed, thick arms are seen, resembling iron bars, well-formed, very smooth, like serpents with five heads. (03-54-6)
The faces of the kings, with beautiful hair, charm, lovely noses, and auspiciousness, shine like stars in the sky. (03-54-7)
Then Damayanti, resplendent and beautiful-faced, entered the arena, stealing by her radiance the eyes and minds of the kings. (03-54-8)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Thus, the lady of Vidarbha, greatly afflicted, was reflecting; having heard the divine omens, she considered them, O Bhārata. (03-54-13)
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)
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)
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)
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)
By the truth that I do not transgress in speech or mind, may the wise gods grant him to me. (03-54-18)
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)
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)
Having heard that pitiful lament of Damayantī, he formed a supreme, true resolve of love toward Naiṣadha (Nala). (03-54-21)
O Bhārata, as mentioned, the gods endowed purity of mind, intellect, devotion, and attachment, as the power in assuming the form. (03-54-22)
She saw all the gods, unsweating, with motionless eyes, whose garlands’ pollen was undisturbed, standing without touching the ground. (03-54-23)
Nala, accompanied by a second shadow, faded garland-dust, and sweat, sitting on the ground, was instantly recognized. (03-54-24)
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)
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)
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)
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)
Śakra, the husband of Śacī, being pleased, gave to Naiṣadha (Nala) direct sight in the sacrifice and the most auspicious state. (03-54-29)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
The king, filled with great joy and shining like the sun, the heroic protector upheld his subjects in righteousness. (03-54-35)
Like Yayāti, Nāhuṣa also performed the aśvamedha sacrifice and many other sacrifices, all with appropriate gifts, being wise. (03-54-36)
Once again, Nala, like a god, enjoyed himself with Damayantī in the beautiful forests and groves. (03-54-37)
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)
