Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 3.54
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3.54.1
अथ काले शुभे प्राप्ते तथौ पुण्ये क्षणे तथा ।
आजुहाव महीपालान्भीमो राजा स्वयंवरे ॥ ३.५४.१ ॥
Then, when the auspicious time, the sacred day and the holy moment had come, King Bhīma summoned the protectors of the earth to the svayaṁvara.
3.54.2
तच्छ्रुत्वा पृथिवीपालाः सर्वे हृच्छयपीडिताः ।
त्वरिताः समपाजग्मुर्दमयन्तीमभीप्सवः ॥ ३.५४.२ ॥
Hearing that, all the rulers of the earth, afflicted in their hearts by the arrow of desire and longing for Damayantī, hastened there and came together.
3.54.3
कनकस्तम्भरुचिरं तोरणेन विराजितम् ।
विविशुस्ते नृपा रङ्गं महासिंह इवाचलम् ॥ ३.५४.३ ॥
Splendid with golden pillars and adorned with an arch, into that arena those kings entered, as a great lion enters a mountain.
3.54.4
तत्रासनेषु विविधेष्वासीनाः पृथिवीक्षितः ।
सुरभिस्रग्धराः सर्वे प्रमृष्टमणिकुण्डलाः ॥ ३.५४.४ ॥
There, seated on various seats, the rulers of the earth, bearing fragrant garlands, all wore polished jewelled earrings.
3.54.5
संपूर्णां पुरुषव्याघ्रैर्व्याघ्रैर्गिरिगुहामिव ।
प्रविवेश नलो देवैः पुण्यश्लोको नराधिप ॥ ३.५४.५ ॥
Just as one enters a mountain cave filled with tigers, so Nala, of sacred renown and like the gods, entered that arena filled with tigers among men, O lord of men.
3.54.6
तत्र स्म पीना दृश्यन्ते बाहवः परिघोपमाः ।
आकारवर्णसुश्लक्ष्णाः पञ्चशीर्षा इवोरगाः ॥ ३.५४.६ ॥
There his thick arms could be seen, like iron clubs, fine in shape and colour and smooth, like five-headed serpents.
3.54.7
सुकेशान्तानि चारूणि सुनासानि शुभानि च ।
मुखानि राज्ञां शोभन्ते नक्षत्राणि यथा दिवि ॥ ३.५४.७ ॥
The faces of the kings, with fine hair, lovely noses and auspicious features, shone like the stars in the sky.
3.54.8
दमयन्ती ततो रङ्गं प्रविवेश शुभानना ।
मुष्णन्ती प्रभया राज्ञां चक्षूषि च मनांसि च ॥ ३.५४.८ ॥
Then Damayantī, the fair-faced one, entered the arena, dazzling the eyes and minds of the kings with her radiance.
3.54.9
तस्या गात्रेषु पतिता तेषां दृष्टिर्महात्मनाम् ।
तत्रतत्रैव सक्ताऽभून्न चचाल च पश्यताम् ॥ ३.५४.९ ॥
The gaze of those great-souled kings fell upon her limbs and clung there, here and there; and the eyes of the onlookers did not move.
3.54.10
ततः संकीर्त्यमानेषु राज्ञां नामसु भारत ।
ददर्श भैमी पुरुषान्पञ्च तुल्याकृतीनिह ॥ ३.५४.१० ॥
Then, O Bhārata, as the names of the kings were being proclaimed, Bhaimī saw here five men of identical form.
3.54.11
तान्समीक्ष्य ततः सर्वान्निर्विशेषाकृतीन्स्थितान् ।
संदेहादथ वेदर्भी नाभ्यजानान्नलं नृपम् ॥ ३.५४.११ ॥
Having looked upon them all standing there of indistinguishable form, the Vaidarbhī, in her uncertainty, could not recognize King Nala.
3.54.12
निर्विशेषवयोवेषरूपाणां तत्र सा शुभा ।
यंयं हि ददृशे तेषां तंतं मेने नलं नृपम्।
साचिन्तयन्ती बुद्ध्याऽथ तर्कयामास भामिनी ॥ ३.५४.१२ ॥
There was no difference among them in age, dress or form; whichever of them she looked at, she thought that one to be King Nala. Then, reflecting, the lovely woman reasoned with her intellect.
3.54.13
कथं नु देवाञ्जानीयां कथं विद्यां नलं नृपम् ।
एवं संचिन्तयन्ती सा वैदर्भी भृशदुःखिता ॥ ३.५४.१३ ॥
How shall I recognize the gods? How shall I discern King Nala? Thus reflecting, the princess of Vidarbha was greatly grieved.
3.54.14
श्रुतानि देवलिङ्गानि तर्कयामास भारत ।
देवानां यानि लिङ्गानि स्थविरेभ्यः श्रुतानि मे ॥ ३.५४.१४ ॥
O Bhārata, the signs of the gods that I heard from the elders—those she considered.
3.54.15
तानीह तिष्ठतां भूमावेकस्यापि न लक्षये ।
एवं विचिन्त्य बहुधा विचार्य च पुनः पुनः ॥ ३.५४.१५ ॥
Those signs I do not perceive in even one of those standing here upon the ground. Thus, pondering in many ways again and again,
3.54.16
शरणं प्रति देवानां प्राप्तकालममन्यत ।
वाचा च मनसा चैव नमस्कारं प्रयुज्य सा ॥ ३.५४.१६ ॥
She judged that the time had come to take refuge with the gods; and, offering homage by word and by mind,
3.54.17
देवेभ्यः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा वेपमानेदमब्रवीत् ।
हंसानां वचनं श्रुत्वा यथा मे नैषधो वृतः।
पतित्वे तेन सत्येन देवास्तं प्रदिशन्तु मे ॥ ३.५४.१७ ॥
With palms joined before the gods, trembling, she spoke these words: "As I chose Nala, lord of Niṣadha, as my husband on hearing the words of the swans, by that truth, O gods, point him out to me."
3.54.18
मनसा वचसा चैव यथा नातिचराम्यहम् ।
तेन सत्येन विबुधास्तमेव प्रदिशन्तु मे ॥ ३.५४.१८ ॥
If in mind and in word I have never transgressed, by that truth, O gods, point out to me him alone.
3.54.19
यथा देवैः स मे भर्ता विहितो निषधाधिषः ।
तेन सत्येन मे देवास्तमेव प्रदिशन्तु मे ॥ ३.५४.१९ ॥
As the gods have appointed the lord of the Niṣadhas as my husband, by that truth, O gods, show him to me.
3.54.20
यथेदं व्रतमारब्धं नलस्याराधने मया ।
तेन सत्येन मे देवास्तमेव प्रदिशन्तु मे ॥ ३.५४.२० ॥
As I have begun this vow in devotion to Nala, by that truth, O gods, show him to me.
3.54.21
स्वं चैव रूपं पुष्यन्तु लोकपाला महेश्वराः ।
यथाऽहमभिजानीयां पुण्यश्लोकं नराधिपम् ॥ ३.५४.२१ ॥
May the world-guardians and the great lords show their own forms, so that I may recognize the lord of men of holy fame.
3.54.22
निशम्य दमयन्त्यास्तत्करुणं प्रतिदेवितम् ।
निश्चयंपरमं तथ्यमनुरागं च नैषधे ॥ ३.५४.२२ ॥
Having heard Damayantī's pitiful lament in reply, her supreme and true resolve, and her devotion to the Niṣadha king.
3.54.23
मनोविशुद्धिं बुद्धिं च भक्तिं रागं च नैषधे ।
यथोक्तं चक्रिरे देवाः सामर्थ्यं लिङ्गधारणे ॥ ३.५४.२३ ॥
The gods fulfilled, as had been said, her purity of mind, understanding, devotion and attachment to the Niṣadha, and gave her the power to assume the sign.
3.54.24
साऽपश्यद्विबुधान्सर्वानस्वेदान्स्तब्धलोचनान् ।
अम्लानस्रग्रजोहीनान्स्थितानस्पृशतः क्षितिम् ॥ ३.५४.२४ ॥
She saw all the gods: without sweat, with fixed eyes, with unwithered garlands and free of dust, standing without touching the earth.
3.54.25
छायाद्वितीयो म्लानस्रग्रजःस्वेदसमन्वितः ।
भूमिष्ठो नैषधश्चैव निमेषेण च सूचितः ॥ ३.५४.२५ ॥
Nala, king of the Niṣadhas, standing on the ground with his shadow as his second, his garland faded and his body covered in dust and sweat, was made known in an instant.
3.54.26
सा समीक्ष्य तु तान्देवान्पुण्यश्लोकं च भारत ।
नैषधं वरयामास भैमी धर्मेण पाण्डव ॥ ३.५४.२६ ॥
Having looked at those gods and at Nala of pure renown, O Bhārata, O Pāṇḍava, Damayantī chose the Niṣadha Nala according to dharma.
3.54.27
विलज्जमाना वस्त्रान्तं जग्राहायतलोचना ।
स्कन्धदेशेऽसृजत्तस्य स्रजं परमशोभनाम् ॥ ३.५४.२७ ॥
Bashful, holding the end of her garment, the long-eyed woman placed the most beautiful garland on his shoulder.
3.54.28
वरयामास चैवैनं पतित्वे वरवर्णिनी ।
ततो हाहेति सहसा मुक्तः शब्दो नराधिपैः ॥ ३.५४.२८ ॥
And the fair-complexioned woman chose him as her husband. Then from the kings there suddenly burst forth a cry of 'Alas!'
3.54.29
देवैर्महर्षिभिस्तत्र साधुसाध्विति भारत ।
विस्मितैरीरितः शब्दः प्रशंसद्भिर्नलं नृपम् ॥ ३.५४.२९ ॥
There the gods and great sages, O Bhārata, astonished, cried out 'Well done! Well done!', praising King Nala.
3.54.30
दमयन्तीं तु कौरव्य वीरसेनसुतो नृपः ।
आश्वासयद्वरारोहां प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना ॥ ३.५४.३० ॥
But King Nala, son of Vīrasena, O descendant of Kuru, comforted Damayantī of the fair hips with a joyful heart.
3.54.31
यत्त्वं भजसि कल्याणि पुमांसं देवसन्निधौ ।
तस्मान्मां विद्धि भर्तारमेतत्ते वचने रतम् ॥ ३.५४.३१ ॥
O auspicious one, the man you have chosen in the presence of the gods — know me to be that husband, for I am devoted to your word.
3.54.32
यावच्च मे धरिष्यन्ति प्राणा देहे शुचिस्मिते ।
तावत्त्वयि भविष्यामि सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥ ३.५४.३२ ॥
O pure-smiling one, as long as the breaths of life remain in my body, so long shall I be yours — this I tell you truly.
3.54.33
दमयन्ती तथा वाग्भिरभिनन्द्य कृताञ्जलिः ॥ ३.५४.३३ ॥
Damayantī, having welcomed him with these words, stood with folded hands.
3.54.34
तौ परस्परतः प्रीतौ दृष्ट्वा त्वग्निपुरोगमान् ।
तानेव शरणं देवाञ्जग्मतुर्मनसा तदा ॥ ३.५४.३४ ॥
Seeing the two of them delighted with each other, they then turned in their minds for refuge to the gods, led by Agni.
3.54.35
वृते तु नैषधे भैम्या लोकपाला महौजसः ।
प्रहृष्टमनसः सर्वे नलायाष्टौ वरान्ददुः ॥ ३.५४.३५ ॥
When Bhaimī had chosen Nala of Niṣadha, all the mighty guardians of the worlds, with glad hearts, granted Nala eight boons.
3.54.36
प्रत्यक्षदर्शनं यज्ञे गतिं चानुत्तमां शुभाम् ।
नैषधाय ददौ शक्रः प्रीयमाणः शचीपतिः ॥ ३.५४.३६ ॥
Indra, lord of Śacī, pleased, gave Nala of Niṣadha the direct sight of the gods at sacrifice and a supreme, auspicious destination.
3.54.37
अग्निरात्मभवं प्रादाद्यत्र वाञ्छति नैषधः ।
लोकानात्मप्रभांश्चैव ददौ तस्मै हुताशनः ॥ ३.५४.३७ ॥
Agni gave him a son born of himself, wherever Nala desired; and he gave him worlds radiant with their own light.
3.54.38
यमस्त्वन्नरसं प्रादाद्धर्मे च परमां स्थितिम् ।
अपांपतिरपां भावं यत्रवाञ्छति नैपधः
स्रजश्चोत्तमगन्धाढ्याः सर्वेच मिथुनं ददुः ॥ ३.५४.३८ ॥
Yama gave him the essence of food and the supreme steadfastness in dharma; Varuna, lord of the waters, gave him the nature of water wherever Nala desired; and all of them gave garlands rich in excellent fragrance and a pair.
3.54.39
वरानेवं प्रदायास्य देवास्ते त्रिदिवं गताः ।
एतत्सर्वं नलोऽपश्यद्दमयन्ती च भारत।
यथा स्वप्नं महाराज तथैव ददृशुर्जनाः ॥ ३.५४.३९ ॥
Having thus granted boons to him, the gods went to heaven. O Bhārata, Nala and Damayantī saw all this; O great king, people saw it as though it were a dream.
3.54.40
ततः स्वयवरं चक्रे भीमो राजाऽतिमानुषम् ।
समागतेषु सर्वेषु भूपालेसु विशांपते ॥ ३.५४.४० ॥
Then King Bhīma held a swayamvara beyond human measure, O lord of men, when all the assembled kings had gathered.
3.54.41
दमयन्त्यपि तद्दृष्ट्वाराजमण्डलमृद्धिमत् ।
अन्वीक्ष्यनैषधं वव्रे भैमी धर्मेण भारत ॥ ३.५४.४१ ॥
Damayantī too, having looked upon the splendid circle of kings and gazing at Nala, son of Niṣadha, O Bhārata, in accordance with dharma chose him, the daughter of Bhīma.
3.54.42
वृते च नैषधे भैम्या निवृत्ते च स्वयंवरे ।
सर्व एव महीपालाः प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥ ३.५४.४२ ॥
When Nala had been chosen by Damayantī and the swayamvara had ended, all the kings returned the way they had come.
3.54.43
पार्थिवाश्चानुभूयास्य विवाहं विस्मयान्विताः ।
दमयन्त्याश्च मुदिताः प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥ ३.५४.४३ ॥
The kings, having witnessed this marriage of Nala, were filled with wonder, and rejoicing in Damayantī, they departed as they had come.
3.54.44
गतेषु पार्थिवेन्द्रेषु भीमः प्रीतो महामनाः ।
विवाहं कारयामास दमयन्त्या नलस्य च ॥ ३.५४.४४ ॥
When the lord kings had departed, Bhīma, great-minded and pleased, arranged the marriage of Damayantī and Nala.
3.54.45
उष्य तत्र तथाकामं नैषधो द्विपदांवरः ।
भीमेन समनुज्ञातो जगाम नगरं स्वकम्।
अवाप्य नारीरत्नं तु पुण्यश्लोकोपि पार्थिवः ॥ ३.५४.४५ ॥
Having stayed there as he pleased, Nala, the Niṣadha king, best of men, departed with Bhīma's leave for his own city, having won the jewel among women; the king of holy renown.
3.54.46
रेमे सह तया राजञ्छच्येव बलवृत्रहा ।
अतीव मुदितो राजा भ्राजमानोंशुमानिव ॥ ३.५४.४६ ॥
O king, he delighted with her as Indra, slayer of Bala and Vṛtra, delighted with Śacī; the king, exceedingly delighted, shone like the sun.
3.54.47
अरञ्जयत्प्रजा वीरो धर्मेण परिपालयन् ।
ईजे चाप्यश्वमेधेन ययातिरिव नाहुषः।
अन्यैश्च बहुभिर्धीमान्क्रतुभिश्चाप्तदक्षिणैः ॥ ३.५४.४७ ॥
The hero pleased his subjects, protecting them with dharma; and, like Yayāti son of Nahuṣa, he performed the horse sacrifice, and the wise one performed many other sacrifices with ample fees.
3.54.48
पुगश्च रमणीयेषु वनेषूपवनेषु च ।
दमयन्त्या सह नलो विजहारामरोपमः ॥ ३.५४.४८ ॥
Nala, like a god, sported with Damayantī in lovely forests and groves.
3.54.49
जनयामास च ततो दमयन्त्यां महामनाः ।
इन्द्रसेनं सुतं चापि इन्द्रसेनां चकन्यकाम् ॥ ३.५४.४९ ॥
Then the great-minded Nala begot upon Damayantī a son named Indrasena and also a daughter named Indrasenā.
3.54.50
एवं स यजमानश्च विहरंश्च नराधिपः ।
ररक्ष वसुसंपूर्णां वसुधां वसुधाधिपः ॥ ३.५४.५० ॥
Thus that lord of men, sacrificing and enjoying himself, as lord of the earth protected the earth filled with wealth.