सुन्दरकाण्ड within रामायण is focussed on हनुमान् and सीता.  सीता is kidnapped by रावण and kept at अशोक वाटिका – throughout this time, She constantly remembers राम. Further, within the सुन्दरकाण्ड, सीता invokes the blessings of ten famous couples (wife & husband) who are revered throughout history for their love for each other – and नल and दमयन्ती is one such famed couple. But that is the real history of नल and दमयन्ती that was seen as an inspiration by सीता?

Within the वनपर्व of the महाभारत, युधिष्ठिर laments his condition of living in the forest – and he asks ऋषि बृहदश्व as to whether there was anyone in history who has experienced life as pitiable as his in the forest. The ऋषि replies that the condition is युधिष्ठिर is much better than the condition of what नल and दमयन्ती went through in their own lives. And the ऋषि then narrates the entire history. This is a famous episode, a long story with a lot of twists and turns, some moments of magic, many moments of intense emotion but ends with a triumph of the deep love which नल and दमयन्ती have for each other. This story of love is eternal and must be read by all Hindus. More importantly, living in कलियुग, reading this story has the benefit of keeping the impact of कलि away from our lives. So, put your seat belts on – and enjoy one of the greatest stories of eternal love.

In the महाभारत, this episode is referred to as नलोपाख्यान पर्व.

Introduction of नल and दमयन्ती and blossoming of their love

आसीद् राजा नलो नाम वीरसेनसुतो बली ⁠। उपपन्नो गुणैरिष्टै रूपवानश्वकोविदः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १ ⁠।⁠।

Said बृहदश्वने — O धर्मराज! निषधदेश ruled by वीरसेन had a son named नल who has attained fame as a powerful king. He was endowed with the highest गुणs, he was good-looking and he was skilled in handling horses. 

अतिष्ठन्मनुजेन्द्राणां मूर्ध्नि देवपतिर्यथा ⁠। उपर्युपरि सर्वेषामादित्य इव तेजसा ⁠।⁠।⁠ २ ⁠।⁠। ब्रह्मण्यो वेदविच्छूरो निषधेषु महीपतिः ⁠। अक्षप्रियः सत्यवादी महानक्षौहिणीपतिः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३ ⁠।⁠।

Just as इंद्र as the king of the देवताs was the highest (in स्वर्ग), नल too was seen as the highest among other kings (during his time). In effulgence (too), he was the highest just as आदित्य. नल, the king of निषधदेश, was a भक्त of the ब्राह्मणs, fully well versed in the वेद, courageous, lover of द्यूत-क्रीड़ा (gambling), aligned to speaking truth, lordly and had one अक्षौहिणी सेना under his control.

ईप्सितो वरनारीणामुदारः संयतेन्द्रियः ⁠। रक्षिता धन्विनां श्रेष्ठः साक्षादिव मनुः स्वयम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४ ⁠।⁠।

He was popular among civilized women, generous, had control over his इंद्रिय, protector of his citizens and was as skilled in archery as मनु.

तथैवासीद् विदर्भेषु भीमो भीमपराक्रमः ⁠। शूरः सर्वगुणैर्युक्तः प्रजाकामः स चाप्रजः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५ ⁠।⁠।

स प्रजार्थे परं यत्नमकरोत् सुसमाहितः ⁠। तमभ्यगच्छद् ब्रह्मर्षिर्दमनो नाम भारत ⁠।⁠।⁠ ६ ⁠।⁠।

During this time, the विदर्भदेश was ruled by a king named भीम who was strong and valiant. He was courageous and fully endowed with सद्गुण. He had no children and always yearned for having children.

Oभारत! King भीम had made focussed efforts to have children. During this time a ब्रह्मर्षि having the name दमन entered his kingdom.

तं स भीमः प्रजाकामस्तोषयामास धर्मवित् ⁠। महिष्या सह राजेन्द्र सत्कारेण सुवर्चसम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ७ ⁠।⁠।

तस्मै प्रसन्नो दमनः सभार्याय वरं ददौ ⁠। कन्यारत्नं कुमारांश्च त्रीनुदारान् महायशाः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ८ ⁠।⁠।

दमयन्तीं दमं दान्तं दमनं च सुवर्चसम् ⁠। उपपन्नान् गुणैः सर्वैर्भीमान् भीमपराक्रमान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ९ ⁠।⁠।

O राजेन्द्र! King भीम who was the knower of धर्म and harboured desire to have children took good care of the ब्रह्मर्षि and made him happy. The famous ब्रह्मर्षि दमन then granted the wish of the king following which the king was blessed with three boys and one girl.

The name of the girl was दमयन्ती and the names of the boys was दम, दान्त and दमन. All of them were effulgent – the three sons of the king were fully endowed with (good) गुणs, highly valiant and highly courageous.

दमयन्ती तु रूपेण तेजसा यशसा श्रिया ⁠। सौभाग्येन च लोकेषु यशः प्राप सुमध्यमा ⁠।⁠।⁠ १० ⁠।⁠।

अथ तां वयसि प्राप्ते दासीनां समलंकृताम् ⁠। शतं शतं सखीनां च पर्युपासच्छचीमिव ⁠।⁠।⁠ ११ ⁠।⁠।

दमयन्ती was famed across all three लोक for being wonderfully slender, beauty, effulgence, fame, grandeur and good fortune.

By the time she entered her youth, she had 100 helpers and 100 friends who were adorned with beautiful clothes and ornaments and always engaged in taking care of her. Their presence (around दमयन्ती) was similar to how देवी शची is (also) worshipped by दैवी females. 

तत्र स्म राजते भैमी सर्वाभरणभूषिता ⁠। सखीमध्येऽनवद्याङ्गी विद्युत्सौदामनी यथा ⁠।⁠।⁠ १२ ⁠।⁠।

अतीव रूपसम्पन्ना श्रीरिवायतलोचना ⁠। न देवेषु न यक्षेषु तादृग् रूपवती क्वचित् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १३ ⁠।⁠।

मानुषेष्वपि चान्येषु दृष्टपूर्वाथवा श्रुता ⁠। चित्तप्रसादनी बाला देवानामपि सुन्दरी ⁠।⁠।⁠ १४ ⁠।⁠।

When दमयन्ती, the daughter of भीम, who possessed beautiful arms with no blemish and fully adorned with beautiful ornaments, used to move around her many friends, it used to look like similar to a spark of lightning in the middle of dark clouds.

Her appearance was as beautiful as लक्ष्मी. She had broad eyes. Even among the देवताs or यक्षs, there was no one who were as beautiful as her.

Even among the human beings and the various classes of people, no one was seen or heard about who was as beautiful as her. One’s mind becomes joyful just by looking at her. Even among the various classes of देवs, she was seen as most beautiful.

नलश्च नरशार्दूलो लोकेष्वप्रतिमो भुवि ⁠। कन्दर्प इव रूपेण मूर्तिमानभवत् स्वयम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १५ ⁠।⁠।

Even the greatest of all human beings, नल, was seen as most handsome among all people in this world. When one used to look at him, it felt as if कामदेव embodied himself on the earth by taking the form of नल.

तस्याः समीपे तु नलं प्रशशंसुः कुतूहलात् ⁠। नैषधस्य समीपे तु दमयन्तीं पुनः पुनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १६ ⁠।⁠।

तयोरदृष्टः कामोऽभूच्छृण्वतोः सततं गुणान् ⁠। अन्योन्यं प्रति कौन्तेय स व्यवर्धत हृच्छयः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १७ ⁠।⁠।

अशक्नुवन् नलः कामं तदा धारयितुं हृदा ⁠। अन्तःपुरसमीपस्थे वन आस्ते रहोगतः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १८ ⁠।⁠।

स ददर्श ततो हंसान् जातरूपपरिष्कृतान् ⁠। वने विचरतां तेषामेकं जग्राह पक्षिणम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १९ ⁠।⁠।

Out of curiosity, people used to go to दमयन्ती and sing praises of बल as well as go across to नल, the king of निषध, and used to sing praises of दमयन्ती’s beauty.

O कुन्तीनन्दन! In this way, after continually listening to the गुणs of each other, they developed longing/ attraction for each other. And this longing kept rising (within each other) day after day.

One day, when king नल was no longer able to keep his intensity/ longing (for दमयन्ती) with his हृदय, he walked across to a garden within the palace and सत् there alone.

At around this time, his eyes fell on a flock of swans who were waving their golden wings. These swans were moving around the same garden and the king caught hold of one of the swans.

ततोऽन्तरिक्षगो वाचं व्याजहार नलं तदा ⁠। हन्तव्योऽस्मि न ते राजन् करिष्यामि तव प्रियम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २० ⁠।⁠।

दमयन्तीसकाशे त्वां कथयिष्यामि नैषध ⁠। यथा त्वदन्यं पुरुषं न सा मंस्यति कर्हिचित् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २१ ⁠।⁠। ‘

एवमुक्तस्ततो हंसमुत्ससर्ज महीपतिः ⁠। ते तु हंसाः समुत्पत्य विदर्भानगमंस्ततः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २२ ⁠।⁠।

Then, the sky-flying swan told नल – O राजन्! Please do not kill me. I will do a work that will be loved by you.

O निषधनरेश! I will go across to दमयन्ती and will praise you so much that she will not be able think of any man (other than you).

King नल released the swan when she made that statement. The swan immediate flew and went across to the विदर्भ देश.

विदर्भनगरीं गत्वा दमयन्त्यास्तदान्तिके ⁠। निपेतुस्ते गरुत्मन्तः सा ददर्श च तान् खगान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २३ ⁠।⁠।

सा तानद्भुतरूपान् वै दृष्ट्वा सखिगणावृता ⁠। हृष्टा ग्रहीतुं खगमांस्त्वरमाणोपचक्रमे ⁠।⁠।⁠ २४ ⁠।⁠।

अथ हंसा विससृपुः सर्वतः प्रमदावने ⁠। एकैकशस्तदा कन्यास्तान् हंसान् समुपाद्रवन् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २५ ⁠।⁠।

Reaching the city of विदर्भ , the swam immediately flew down towards दमयन्ती. दमयन्ती also looked at the swan in a wonderstruck manner.

Surrounded by her friends, the princess दमयन्ती became very happy looking at the extraordinary birds and immediately set forth trying to catch those birds.

The swans were moving around in the beautiful garden when, at the same time, the attendants started trying to catch each swan one-for-one.

दमयन्ती तु यं हंसं समुपाधावदन्तिके ⁠। स मानुषीं गिरं कृत्वा दमयन्तीमथाब्रवीत् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २६ ⁠।⁠।

दमयन्ति नलो नाम निषधेषु महीपतिः ⁠। अश्विनोः सदृशो रूपे न समास्तस्य मानुषाः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २७ ⁠।⁠।

The swan towards whom दमयन्ती ran to then spoke aloud in a human voice –

O राजकुमारी दमयन्ती! Listen – There is a king by the name, नल, who lives in निषधदेश – he is as good-looking as (both) the अश्विनीकुमार. There is no single human being who can match him in good looks.

कन्दर्प इव रूपेण मूर्तिमानभवत् स्वयम् ⁠। तस्य वै यदि भार्या त्वं भवेथा वरवर्णिनि ⁠।⁠।⁠ २८ ⁠।⁠।

सफलं ते भवेज्जन्म रूपं चेदं सुमध्यमे ⁠। वयं हि देवगन्धर्वमनुष्योरगराक्षसान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २९ ⁠।⁠।

दृष्टवन्तो न चास्माभिर्दृष्टपूर्वस्तथाविधः ⁠। त्वं चापि रत्नं नारीणां नरेषु च नलो वरः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३० ⁠।⁠।

O ‘सुन्दरि! In terms of looks, he looks as if he is the physical expression of कामदेव. O सुमध्यमे! If you become his wife, your birth and your glorious form will become successful. We have seen all kinds of beings – देवता, गन्धर्व, मनुष्य, नाग and राक्षस but in our opinion, there is no man like him who was born earlier (who is like him). Among the most beautiful, you are the expression of a pearl and नल may also be seen as a crown jewel among men. If a special woman comes together with a special man, such a coming together is seen as specially beneficial.

विशिष्टया विशिष्टेन संगमो गुणवान् भवेत् ⁠। एवमुक्ता तु हंसेन दमयन्ती विशाम्पते ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३१ ⁠।⁠।

अब्रवीत् तत्र तं हंसं त्वमप्येवं नले वद ⁠। तथेत्युक्त्वाण्डजः कन्यां विदर्भस्य विशाम्पते ⁠। पुनरागम्य निषधान् नले सर्वं न्यवेदयत् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३२ ⁠।⁠।

O राजन्! When the swan spoke like this, दमयन्ती asked the swan – O पक्षिराज! Kindly go over the king नल and express the same words to him too. O राजन्! The swan replied ‘तथास्तु’ to the daughter of the king of विदर्भ and again returned to निषध-देश and conveyed all the discussions with नल.

बृहदश्व उवाच

दमयन्ती तु तच्छ्रुत्वा वचो हंसस्य भारत ⁠। ततः प्रभृति न स्वस्था नलं प्रति बभूव सा ⁠।⁠।⁠ १ ⁠।⁠।

ततश्चिन्तापरा दीना विवर्णवदना कृशा ⁠। बभूव दमयन्ती तु निःश्वासपरमा तदा ⁠।⁠।⁠ २ ⁠।⁠।

ऊर्ध्वदृष्टिर्ध्यानपरा बभूवोन्मत्तदर्शना ⁠। पाण्डुवर्णा क्षणेनाथ हृच्छयाविष्टचेतना ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३ ⁠।⁠।

न शय्यासनभोगेषु रतिं विन्दति कर्हिचित् ⁠। न नक्तं न दिवा शेते हाहेति रुदती पुनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४ ⁠।⁠।

Said बृहदश्व मुनि — O भारत! Ever since दमयन्ती listened to the words of the swan, she became attached to king नल and (in the process of continuous thinking), became unwell.

Since then, she became very worried in her own mind. She became wretched, her skin colour paled and over time, she also lost weight. Again and again, she used to sigh letting out gasps again and again.

Gazing up in sky, her mind was always focussed on नल. When one used to look at her, she seemed frantic (or even insane) and her whole body became pale-coloured. In her state of excessive longing, her energy kept on depleting moment after moment.

She used to feel unsettled even on her own bed, her (regular) seat and her personal objects of pleasure no longer held any appeal to her. She lost sleep both during night time as well as day time. She used to express the words – ‘हाय-हाय’ and kept on crying.

तामस्वस्थां तदाकारां सख्यस्ता जज्ञुरिङ्गितैः ⁠। ततो विदर्भपतये दमयन्त्याः सखीजनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५ ⁠।⁠।

न्यवेदयत् तामस्वस्थां दमयन्तीं नरेश्वरे ⁠। तच्छ्रुत्वा नृपतिर्भीमो दमयन्तीं सखीगणात् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ६ ⁠।⁠।

चिन्तयामास तत् कार्यं सुमहत् स्वां सुतां प्रति ⁠। किमर्थं दुहिता मेऽद्य नातिस्वस्थेव लक्ष्यते ⁠।⁠।⁠ ७ ⁠।⁠।

Looking at her form and poor health state, her friends figured out that something was certainly amiss. Then they went ahead and informed the king of विदर्भ (her father) about the state of दमयन्ती. Listening to the friends (of her daughter), king भीम thought hard but was unable to make up his mind on the key course of action that he must adopt. He thought “Why is it that my daughter looks unwell?”

स्वयंवर

स समीक्ष्य महीपालः स्वां सुतां प्राप्तयौवनाम् ⁠। अपश्यदात्मना कार्यं दमयन्त्याः स्वयंवरम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ८ ⁠।⁠।

स संनिमन्त्रयामास महीपालान् विशाम्पतिः ⁠। एषोऽनुभूयतां वीराः स्वयंवर इति प्रभो ⁠।⁠।⁠ ९ ⁠।⁠।

After considering the state thoroughly, the king came to the conclusion that the daughter has entered youth-hood and it becomes his duty to organize a स्वयंवर for दमयन्ती.

O राजन्! The king of विदर्भ then sent an invitation which reads as – “O वीर men! I am organizing a स्वयंवर at my place. Kindly do come over to enjoy the celebrations”.

श्रुत्वा तु पार्थिवाः सर्वे दमयन्त्याः स्वयंवरम् ⁠। अभिजग्मुस्ततो भीमं राजानो भीमशासनात् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १० ⁠।⁠। हस्त्यश्वरथघोषेण पूरयन्तो वसुन्धराम् ⁠। विचित्रमाल्याभरणैर्बलैर्दृश्यैः स्वलंकृतैः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ११ ⁠।⁠।

When the kings heard about स्वयंवर of दमयन्ती, listening to the message of भीम, the king of  विदर्भ, they arrived at the kingdom in their horses and chariots making a tumultuous sound that shook the earth. Their soldiers also accompanied the kings wearing ornaments and special garlands.

तेषां भीमो महाबाहुः पार्थिवानां महात्मनाम् ⁠। यथार्हमकरोत् पूजां तेऽवसंस्तत्र पूजिताः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १२ ⁠।⁠।

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु सुराणामृषिसत्तमौ ⁠। अटमानौ महात्मानाविन्द्रलोकमितो गतौ ⁠।⁠।⁠ १३ ⁠।⁠।

नारदः पर्वतश्चैव महाप्राज्ञौ महाव्रतौ ⁠। देवराजस्य भवनं विविशाते सुपूजितौ ⁠।⁠।⁠ १४ ⁠।⁠।

King भीम welcomed all kings who entered his kingdom with due gratitude and rituals. And the kings who were thus welcomed remained stationed there.

At the same time, both the महात्माs – नारद और पर्वत, who are the most exalted among the देवर्षिs, greatly disciplined and highly intelligent, came over the इंद्रलोक. And they entered the palace of देवराज (इंद्र). They were welcomed fondly and with due rituals in that palace.

तावर्चयित्वा मघवा ततः कुशलमव्ययम् ⁠। पप्रच्छानामयं चापि तयोः सर्वगतं विभुः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १५ ⁠।⁠।

नारद उवाच आवयोः कुशलं देव सर्वत्रगतमीश्वर ⁠। लोके च मघवन् कृत्स्ने नृपाः कुशलिनो विभो ⁠।⁠।⁠ १६ ⁠।⁠।

After their पूजा was done, इंद्र asked both of them about the well-being and health of the entire universe.

Then नारद replied — O प्रभो! O देवेश्वर!  We are doing well and in all लोकs, the king and their people are doing well.

बृहदश्व

उवाच नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा पप्रच्छ बलवृत्रहा ⁠। धर्मज्ञाः पृथिवीपालास्त्यक्तजीवितयोधिनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १७ ⁠।⁠। शस्त्रेण निधनं काले ये गच्छन्त्यपराङ्मुखाः ⁠। अयं लोकोऽक्षयस्तेषां यथैव मम कामधुक् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १८ ⁠।⁠।

Says बृहदश्व — O राजन्! Listening to नारद, इंद्र, the slayer of वृत्रासुर asked him – O मुने! If those kings aligned to धर्म who engage in wars setting aside attachment to their lives and do not show their backs while fighting, die when facing any शस्त्र, they will certainly attain to स्वर्गलोक and enjoy all joys of this लोक like me. 

क्व नु ते क्षत्रियाः शूरा न हि पश्यामि तानहम् ⁠। आगच्छतो महीपालान् दयितानतिथीन् मम ⁠।⁠।⁠ १९ ⁠।⁠।

Where are such courageous क्षत्रिय these days? I am unable to see such ones coming over to my place. When इन्द्र asked this question, नारद replied.

नारद उवाच

एवमुक्तस्तु शक्रेण नारदः प्रत्यभाषत ⁠।  शृणु मे मघवन् येन न दृश्यन्ते महीक्षितः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २० ⁠।⁠।

विदर्भराज्ञो दुहिता दमयन्तीति विश्रुता ⁠। रूपेण समतिक्रान्ता पृथिव्यां सर्वयोषितः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २१ ⁠।⁠।

Said नारद — O मघवन्! Listen to the reason why the various kings are not being seen here (in इंद्रलोक). दमयन्ती was born to the king of विदर्भ who is famed for her beauty among all young maidens on Earth.

तस्याः स्वयंवरः शक्र भविता न चिरादिव ⁠। तत्र गच्छन्ति राजानो राजपुत्राश्च सर्वशः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २२ ⁠।⁠।

तां रत्नभूतां लोकस्य प्रार्थयन्तो महीक्षितः ⁠। काङ्क्षन्ति स्म विशेषेण बलवृत्रनिषूदन ⁠।⁠।⁠ २३ ⁠।⁠।

एतस्मिन् कथ्यमाने तु लोकपालाश्च साग्निकाः ⁠। आजग्मुर्देवराजस्य समीपममरोत्तमाः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २४ ⁠।⁠।

ततस्ते शुश्रुवुः सर्वे नारदस्य वचो महत् ⁠। श्रुत्वैव चाब्रुवन् हृष्टा गच्छामो वयमप्युत ⁠।⁠।⁠ २५ ⁠।⁠।

O इन्द्र! All kings of the land are going to the स्वयंवर which is getting conducted right now.

O Slayer of वृत्रासुर, इंद्र! दमयन्ती is an extraordinary pearl in this entire universe. This is why all the kings are specifically seeking to get married to her.

During this talk, the various prominent लोकपाल (protectors of लोकs) along with अग्नि came over to देवराज (इंद्र).

And after coming, they heard all the special news conveyed by नारद and listening to this, they too became excited with joy and exclaimed – “we too will go over to the स्वयंवर”

ततः सर्वे महाराज सगणाः सहवाहनाः ⁠। विदर्भानभिजग्मुस्ते यतः सर्वे महीक्षितः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २६ ⁠।⁠।

नलोऽपि राजा कौन्तेय श्रुत्वा राज्ञां समागमम् ⁠। अभ्यगच्छददीनात्मा दमयन्तीमनुव्रतः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २७ ⁠।⁠।

अथ देवाः पथि नलं ददृशुर्भूतले स्थितम् ⁠। साक्षादिव स्थितं मूर्त्या मन्मथं रूपसम्पदा ⁠।⁠।⁠ २८ ⁠।⁠।

तं दृष्ट्वा लोकपालास्ते भ्राजमानं यथा रविम् ⁠। तस्थुर्विगतसंकल्पा विस्मिता रूपसम्पदा ⁠।⁠।⁠ २९ ⁠।⁠।

O महाराज! And then all the देवताs along with their attendants and vehicles went over to the विदर्भदेश where all the other kings had gathered.

O कुन्तीनन्दन! The generous hearted नल too who was enamoured by दमयन्ती went over to विदर्भ नगर where all the other kings had gathered. 

At this time, the देवताs saw king नल on the way (to विदर्भ). In looks and personality, he was looking like a physical embodiment of कामदेव.

Looking at the effulgence of king नल who was shining like सूर्य, the लोकपाल were stunned to see his personality and lost their hope of gaining दमयन्ती.

ततोऽन्तरिक्षे विष्टभ्य विमानानि दिवौकसः ⁠। अब्रुवन् नैषधं राजन्नवतीर्य नभस्तलात् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३० ⁠।⁠।

भो भो निषधराजेन्द्र नल सत्यव्रतो भवान् ⁠। अस्माकं कुरु साहाय्यं दूतो भव नरोत्तम ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३१ ⁠।⁠।

O राजन्! Then the देवताs halted their vehicles in the sky and after getting down from their vehicles, approached the king of निषध and told him –

O King of निषध नरश्रेष्ठ नल! You are a speaker of truth, you need to help us. Kindly become our messenger (दूत).

तेभ्यः प्रतिज्ञाय नलः करिष्य इति भारत ⁠। अथैतान् परिपप्रच्छ कृताञ्जलिरुपस्थितः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १ ⁠।⁠।

के वै भवन्तः कश्चासौ यस्याहं दूत ईप्सितः ⁠। किं च तद् वो मया कार्यं कथयध्वं यथातथम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २ ⁠।⁠।

Said बृहदश्व मुनि — O भारत! Having taken a vow to assist the देवताs who had sought his help, king नल folded his hands and asked them – “Who are all of you? And who is this person to whom you wish me to approach as a दूत and what is the work which can be accomplished by me, kindly tell me clearly”. 

एवमुक्तो नैषधेन मघवानभ्यभाषत ⁠। अमरान् वै निबोधास्मान् दमयन्त्यर्थमागतान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३ ⁠।⁠।

अहमिन्द्रोऽयमग्निश्च तथैवायमपां पतिः ⁠। शरीरान्तकरो नॄणां यमोऽयमपि पार्थिव ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४ ⁠।⁠। त्वं वै समागतानस्मान् दमयन्त्यै निवेदय ⁠। लोकपाला महेन्द्राद्याः समायान्ति दिदृक्षवः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५ ⁠।⁠।

प्राप्तुमिच्छन्ति देवास्त्वां शक्रोऽग्निर्वरुणो यमः ⁠। तेषामन्यतमं देवं पतित्वे वरयस्व ह ⁠।⁠।⁠ ६ ⁠।⁠।

When नल, the king of निषध, asked this question, इंद्र replied — Oभूपाल! You may know us as देवताs, we have come here to gain दमयन्ती.

I am इंद्र, this is अग्नि देव, this other person is ruler of water, वरुण and this other one is यम, the destroyer of the bodies of all beings. You need to go across to दमयन्ती, convey to her about our arrival and tell her that इंद्र and other लोकपाल have come over to see you.

 इन्द्र, अग्नि, वरुण and यम— these देवताs are keen to marry you. From among them, you may choose any one. देवता as your husband.

एवमुक्तः स शक्रेण नलः प्राञ्जलिरब्रवीत् ⁠। एकार्थं समुपेतं मां न प्रेषयितुमर्हथ ⁠।⁠।⁠ ७ ⁠।⁠।

कथं तु जातसंकल्पः स्त्रियमुत्सृजते पुमान् ⁠। परार्थमीदृशं वक्तुं तत् क्षमन्तु महेश्वराः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ८ ⁠।⁠।

When इंद्र conveyed this, नल folded his hands and stated – “O देवताs! Even I am come here with the same aim as what you all have come here for; hence, kindly do not send me as a दूत to her since both have come for the same intent.

O देवेश्वरs! Once a man has decided to acquire a woman, how can such a man abandon the pursuit of the same woman another person? Therefore, kindly forgive me for speaking to you all like this.

देवा ऊचुः करिष्य इति संश्रुत्य पूर्वमस्मासु नैषध ⁠। न करिष्यसि कस्मात् त्वं व्रज नैषध मा चिरम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ९ ⁠।⁠।

The देवताs replied – O King of निषध!  You have already taken a vow to assist us in our endeavour, then how can you abandon this promise? Therefore O King of निषध!, you go over quickly and do not delay.

बृहदश्व उवाच

एवमुक्तः स देवैस्तैर्नैषधः पुनरब्रवीत् ⁠। सुरक्षितानि वेश्मानि प्रवेष्टुं कथमुत्सहे ⁠।⁠।⁠ १० ⁠।⁠।

Said बृहदश्व मुनि— O राजन्! In response to what देवताs conveyed to him, the king of निषध asked them again – all the rooms in the palace of विदर्भ kingdom are under protection (of their security guards). How then will I be able to enter the palace?

प्रवेक्ष्यसीति तं शक्रः पुनरेवाभ्यभाषत ⁠। जगाम स तथेत्युक्त्वा दमयन्त्या निवेशनम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ११ ⁠।⁠।

ददर्श तत्र वैदर्भीं सखीगणसमावृताम् ⁠। देदीप्यमानां वपुषा श्रिया च वरवर्णिनीम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १२ ⁠।⁠।

अतीवसुकुमाराङ्गीं तनुमध्यां सुलोचनाम् ⁠। आक्षिपन्तीमिव प्रभां शशिनः स्वेन तेजसा ⁠।⁠।⁠ १३ ⁠।⁠।

तस्य दृष्ट्वैव ववृधे कामस्तां चारुहासिनीम् ⁠। सत्यं चिकीर्षमाणस्तु धारयामास हृच्छयम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १४ ⁠।⁠।

Then इंद्र replied again – You will be able to enter the palace. King नल then stated ‘तथास्तु’ and entered the palace of दमयन्ती.

(On entering the palace), he saw the daughter of the king of विदर्भ, the extremely beautiful दमयन्ती surrounded by her attendants whose beautiful body and divine aura was radiating effulgence.

Her body looked extremely delicate, the part over her waist was very thin and her eyes were beautiful; her glow was putting the glow of the moon to shame.

Just by looking at the princess who sported a pleasant smile, he was overcome with the fire of attraction within his heart; however, since he had to fulfil the promise given to the देवताs, he controlled the feelings of attraction within his mind.

ततस्ता नैषधं दृष्ट्वा सम्भ्रान्ताः परमाङ्गनाः ⁠। आसनेभ्यः समुत्पेतुस्तेजसा तस्य धर्षिताः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १५ ⁠।⁠।

प्रशशंसुश्च सुप्रीता नलं ता विस्मयान्विताः ⁠। न चैनमभ्यभाषन्त मनोभिस्त्वभ्यपूजयन् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १६ ⁠।⁠।

अहो रूपमहो कान्तिरहो धैर्यं महात्मनः ⁠। कोऽयं देवोऽथवा यक्षो गन्धर्वो वा भविष्यति ⁠।⁠।⁠ १७ ⁠।⁠।

Looking at the king of निषध enter the palace, the beautiful attendant woman were shocked and immediately got up from their seats awed by his effulgence.

Extremely happy and stunned, they will praised the magnificence of king नल. While they did not converse with him, they accorded respect to him in their own minds.

They were thinking – अहो! This person’s form is extra-ordinary, effulgence is attractive and his courage also seems unique. Not sure who this person is – it is possible that this person is a देवता or a यक्ष or a गन्धर्व.

वे न तास्तं शक्नुवन्ति स्म व्याहर्तुमपि किंचन ⁠। तेजसा धर्षितास्तस्य लज्जावत्यो वराङ्गना ⁠।⁠।⁠ १८ ⁠।⁠।

अथैनं स्मयमानं तु स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिणी ⁠। दमयन्ती नलं वीरमभ्यभाषत विस्मिता ⁠।⁠।⁠ १९ ⁠।⁠।

कस्त्वं सर्वानवद्याङ्ग मम हृच्छयवर्धन ⁠। प्राप्तोऽस्यमरवद् वीर ज्ञातुमिच्छामि तेऽनघ ⁠।⁠।⁠ २० ⁠।⁠।

कथमागमनं चेह कथं चासि न लक्षितः ⁠। सुरक्षितं हि मे वेश्म राजा चैवोग्रशासनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २१ ⁠।⁠।

Unable to bear the effulgence of नल, the bashful women were unable to speak anything.

दमयन्ती, who always spoke with a pleasant smile, was astonished (seeing नल) and addressed नल bearing a smile in this manner –

“Who are you? All parts of your body are blemish-less and extremely beautiful to look at. You are increasing my longing within my heart. O वीर who has done no पाप! You have entered this palace like a देवता. I wish to have your introduction. How were you able to enter the women’s quarters? How has no one not been able to see you? My quarters are heavily guarded and the king’s rule here is also very strict – since he gives strong punishment to anyone who is convicted.” To the question raised by the princess of विदर्भ, नल replied as follows –

एवमुक्तस्तु वैदर्भ्या नलस्तां प्रत्युवाच ह ⁠। नल उवाच नलं मां विद्धि कल्याणि देवदूतमिहागतम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २२ ⁠।⁠।

देवास्त्वां प्राप्तुमिच्छन्ति शक्रोऽग्निर्वरुणो यमः ⁠। तेषामन्यतमं देवं पतिं वरय शोभने ⁠।⁠।⁠ २३ ⁠।⁠।

तेषामेव प्रभावेण प्रविष्टोऽहमलक्षितः ⁠। प्रविशन्तं न मां कश्चिदपश्यन्नाप्यवारयत् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २४ ⁠।⁠।

नलने said – O कल्याणि! You may know me as नल. I have come here as a messenger of the देवताs. इंद्र, अग्नि, वरुण & यम are keen to marry you. O शोभने! You may select any one of them as your husband.

Owing to the influence of the देवताs, I have been able to enter the interior of this palace without getting detected. While entering here, no one has been able to see me and no one has therefore stopped me.

एतदर्थमहं भद्रे प्रेषितः सुरसत्तमैः ⁠। एतच्छ्रुत्वा शुभे बुद्धिं प्रकुरुष्व यथेच्छसि ⁠।⁠।⁠ २५ ⁠।⁠।

इति श्रीमहाभारते वनपर्वणि नलोपाख्यानपर्वणि नलस्य देवदौत्ये पञ्चपञ्चाशत्तमोऽध्यायः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५५ ⁠।⁠।

O भद्रे! This is why the prominent देवताs have sent me here. Listening to this message, you may decide as you wish.

बृहदश्व मुनि said — O राजन्! In line with her श्रद्धा, दमयन्ती bowed down (in her mind) to the देवताs and then laughingly told नल – O महाराज! You only must take my hand (in marriage) and please tell me how can I be of help to you.

अहं चैव हि यच्चान्यन्ममास्ति वसु किंचन ⁠। तत् सर्वं तव विश्रब्धं कुरु प्रणयमीश्वर ⁠।⁠।⁠ २ ⁠।⁠।

हंसानां वचनं यत् तु तन्मां दहति पार्थिव ⁠। त्वत्कृते हि मया वीर राजानः संनिपातिताः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३ ⁠।⁠।

यदि त्वं भजमानां मां प्रत्याख्यास्यसि मानद ⁠। विषमग्निं जलं रज्जुमास्थास्ये तव कारणात् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४ ⁠।⁠।

एवमुक्तस्तु वैदर्भ्या नलस्तां प्रत्युवाच ह ⁠। तिष्ठत्सु लोकपालेषु कथं मानुषमिच्छसि ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५ ⁠।⁠।

O नरेश्वर! Me as well as whatever little wealth I have, all of it is for you only. Kindly be fully assured and be married to me.

O भूपाल! I have heard the swans and their words still keep burning my heart. O वीर! To gain you only, I have organized this event by calling all the kings here.

O मानद! Consider me as your भक्त of your feet and if you are not willing to accept me as your humble servant, then I will give up my life taking to poison or burning in fire or drowning in water or hanging on a noose.

When दमयन्ती spoke this way, King बल asked her – given that the लोकपाल are themselves keen to wed you, you can you consider making a normal human being like me as your husband?

येषामहं लोककृतामीश्वराणां महात्मनाम् ⁠। न पादरजसा तुल्यो मनस्ते तेषु वर्तताम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ६ ⁠।⁠।

विप्रियं ह्याचरन् मर्त्यो देवानां मृत्युमृच्छति ⁠। त्राहि मामनवद्याङ्गि वरयस्व सुरोत्तमान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ७ ⁠।⁠।

विरजांसि च वासांसि दिव्याश्चित्राः स्रजस्तथा ⁠। भूषणानि तु मुख्यानि देवान् प्राप्य तु भुङ्क्ष्व वै ⁠।⁠।⁠ ८ ⁠।⁠। ‘

In front of the creators of various लोकs who are very great, I am not even as big as a speck of dust at their feet, you may need to focus your mind towards them only.

O सुन्दरी with blemish-less arms! Whosoever goes against the will of the देवताs is certainly bound to die; kindly save me and get married to those superior देवताs.

And on marrying the देवताs, you can enjoy life wearing beautiful clothes, divine and wonderful garlands and many special ornaments.

य इमां पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां संक्षिप्य ग्रसते पुनः ⁠। हुताशमीशं देवानां का तं न वरयेत् पतिम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ९ ⁠।⁠।

यस्य दण्डभयात् सर्वे भूतग्रामाः समागताः ⁠। धर्ममेवानुरुध्यन्ति का तं न वरयेत् पतिम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १० ⁠।⁠। ‘

धर्मात्मानं महात्मानं दैत्यदानवमर्दनम् ⁠। महेन्द्रं सर्वदेवानां का तं न वरयेत् पतिम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ११ ⁠।⁠।

क्रियतामविशङ्केन मनसा यदि मन्यसे ⁠। वरुणं लोकपालानां सुहृद्वाक्यमिदं शृणु ⁠।⁠।⁠ १२ ⁠।⁠। ‘

Who will say no to अग्नि who is capable of converting the entire Earth into a miniature version and then devour it.

Fearing the punishment, all beings on Earth follow their individual धर्म; who will not want यम as one’s own husband.

इंद्र is the one who destroys all दैत्यs and दानवs – how can anyone not the lord of all देवताs as one’s own husband?

If you are able to think correctly, you will certainly be willing to make वरुण, who is famed across all the लोकपाल, as your husband without a doubt. Kindly listen to this advice as coming from one who is your benefactor and friend.

नैषधेनैवमुक्ता सा दमयन्ती वचोऽब्रवीत् ⁠। समाप्लुताभ्यां नेत्राभ्यां शोकजेनाथ वारिणा ⁠।⁠।⁠ १३ ⁠।⁠।

देवेभ्योऽहें नमस्कृत्य सर्वेभ्यः पृथिवीपते ⁠। वृणे त्वामेव भर्तारं सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते ⁠।⁠।⁠ १४ ⁠।⁠।

तामुवाच ततो राजा वेपमानां कृताञ्जलिम् ⁠। दौत्येनागत्य कल्याणि तथा भद्रे विधीयताम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १५ ⁠।⁠।

Then, after listening to नल, दमयन्ती replied with her eyes full of tears in this way –

“O पृथ्वीपते! I will do नमस्कार to all the देवताs and then will select you only as my husband. I am telling you the truth.”

After saying this, shivering profusely, दमयन्ती folded both her hands. Seeing her in this state, King नल told her – “O कल्याणि! I have come here now to act in the capacity of a दूत and therefore, O भद्रे! At this time, you must only do what is aligned to my current role.”

कथं ह्यहं प्रतिश्रुत्य देवतानां विशेषतः ⁠। परार्थे यत्नमारभ्य कथं स्वार्थमिहोत्सहे ⁠।⁠।⁠ १६ ⁠।⁠।

एष धर्मो यदि स्वार्थो ममापि भविता ततः ⁠। एवं स्वार्थं करिष्यामि तथा भद्रे विधीयताम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १७ ⁠।⁠।

I have taken a vow in front of the देवताs that I will specifically favour them and given this, how can I get excited to following my own selfish drives?

Taking your message (to the देवताs) will certainly protect my धर्म (as a दूत) is protected, but such an action will facilitate pursuit of my own selfish needs. O भद्रे! You must try in a way that both my धर्म (as a दूत) along with my own selfish need are protected.

 ततो बाष्पाकुलां वाचं दमयन्ती शुचिस्मिता ⁠। प्रत्याहरन्ती शनकैर्नलं राजानमब्रवीत् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १८ ⁠।⁠।

उपायोऽयं मया दृष्टो निरपायो नरेश्वर ⁠। येन दोषो न भविता तव राजन् कथंचन ⁠।⁠।⁠ १९ ⁠।⁠।

Listening to this, दमयन्ती, the lady who always sports a smile that is sacred, replied slowly to नल in shakily with eyes filled with tears – O नरेश्वर! I have come up with a solution that is without दोष and O राजन्! You will not incur any दोष if you follow this.

त्वं चैव हि नरश्रेष्ठ देवाश्चेन्द्रपुरोगमाः ⁠। आयान्तु सहिताः सर्वे मम यत्र स्वयंवरः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २० ⁠।⁠।

ततोऽहं लोकपालानां संनिधौ त्वां नरेश्वर ⁠। वरयिष्ये नरव्याघ्र नैवं दोषो भविष्यति ⁠।⁠।⁠ २१ ⁠।⁠।

एवमुक्तस्तु वैदर्भ्या नलो राजा विशाम्पते ⁠। आजगाम पुनस्तत्र यत्र देवाः समागताः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २२ ⁠।⁠।

O नरश्रेष्ठ! You along with all देवताs may enter the रंगमण्डप (the platform or location) where स्वयंवर is planned to be held.

O नरेश्वर! O नरव्याघ्र! Then, in front of the लोकपाल, I will select you as my husband. If the event happens this way, you will not incur any दोष.

O युधिष्ठिर! Listening to the princess of विदर्भ, King नल returned to the place where he had met the देवताs earlier.

तमपश्यंस्तथाऽऽयान्तं लोकपाला महेश्वराः ⁠। दृष्ट्वा चैनं ततोऽपृच्छन् वृत्तान्तं सर्वमेव तम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २३ ⁠।⁠।

कच्चिद् दृष्टा त्वया राजन्‌ दमयन्ती शुचिस्मिता ⁠। किमब्रवीच्च नः सर्वान् वद भूमिप तेऽनघ ⁠।⁠।⁠ २४ ⁠।⁠।

When the देवताs saw King नल return, they asked him to relay all that had happened.  

O राजन्! Did you happen to meet दमयन्ती, the lady who always sports a sacred smile? Please convey what is the message she has relayed to us.

नल उवाच

भवद्भिरहमादिष्टो दमयन्त्या निवेशनम् ⁠। प्रविष्टः सुमहाकक्षं दण्डिभिः स्थविरैर्वृतम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २५ ⁠।⁠।

प्रविशन्तं च मां तत्र न कश्चिद् दृष्टवान् नरः ⁠। ऋते तां पार्थिवसुतां भवतामेव तेजसा ⁠।⁠।⁠ २६ ⁠।⁠।

सख्यश्चास्या मया दृष्टास्ताभिश्चाप्युपलक्षितः ⁠। विस्मिताश्चाभवन् सर्वा दृष्ट्वा मां विबुधेश्वराः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २७ ⁠।⁠।

Said नल — O देवताs ! After taking your message, I went across to the palace room where दमयन्ती is staying. The entrance hall of the place was huge and surrounded by aggressive security guards.  

Thanks to your influence, while entering the palace, no human being was able to see me other than the princess दमयन्ती.

(of course) the attendants of दमयन्ती saw me and I too was able to see them. O देवेश्वरs! All of them were stunned when they saw me.

वर्ण्यमानेषु च मया भवत्सु रुचिरानना ⁠। मामेव गतसंकल्पा वृणीते सा सुरोत्तमाः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २८ ⁠।⁠।

अब्रवीच्चैव मां बाला आयान्तु सहिताः सुराः ⁠। त्वया सह नरव्याघ्र मम यत्र स्वयंवरः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २९ ⁠।⁠।

तेषामहं संनिधौ त्वां वरयिष्यामि नैषध ⁠। एवं तव महाबाहो दोषो न भवितेति ह ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३० ⁠।⁠।

एतावदेव विबुधा यथावृत्तमुपाहृतम् ⁠। मयाऽशेषे प्रमाणं तु भवन्तस्त्रिदशेश्वराः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३१ ⁠।⁠।

O Great देवताs! While I was describing all of you to her, at this time, the great looking दमयन्ती, keeping me in her mind, decided to accept me as her husband.

She called me and also told me – O नरव्याघ्र! Tell all देवताs to enter the place where my स्वयंवर is happening, along with you (too).

O King of निषध! In front of the देवताs, I will select you as my husband. O महाबाहो! You will not then have to take on to any दोष (of going against the देवताs) when the event happens this way.

O देवताs! I have conveyed exactly to you whatever happened in the palace of दमयन्ती. O देवेश्वरगण! On this aspect, all you देवताs are the proof meaning that you are the witness (that what I am conveying to you is exactly what message दमयन्ती had relayed to me).

बृहदश्व उवाच

अथ काले शुभे प्राप्ते तिथौ पुण्ये क्षणे तथा ⁠। आजुहाव महीपालान् भीमो राजा स्वयंवरे ⁠।⁠।⁠ १ ⁠।⁠।

तच्छ्रुत्वा पृथिवीपालाः सर्वे हृच्छयपीडिताः ⁠। त्वरिताः समुपाजग्मुर्दमयन्तीमभीप्सवः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २ ⁠।⁠।

कनकस्तम्भरुचिरं तोरणेन विराजितम् ⁠। विविशुस्ते नृपा रङ्गं महासिंहा इवाचलम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३ ⁠।⁠।

तत्रासनेषु विविधेष्वासीनाः पृथिवीक्षितः ⁠। सुरभिस्रग्धराः सर्वे प्रमृष्टमणिकुण्डलाः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४ ⁠।⁠।

Said बृहदश्व मुनि — O राजन्! Then, at a good time, most optimum तिथि and the most sacred state, King भीम invited all kings to participate in the स्वयंवर.

Immediately on receiving such an invitation, all kings who were longed to marry दमयन्ती assembled at the appointed place.

The event hall was decorated with golden pillars. The तोरण (archway) was adding further to the beauty of the hall. Just as big lions enter the cave of a mountain, all the kings entered the event hall.

All the kings then सत् down at their allotted seats. All of them decorated themselves with decorated garlands and all of them sported pure gems in their ears which were swaying (beautifully).

तां राजसमितिं पुण्यां नागैर्भोगवतीमिव ⁠। सम्पूर्णां पुरुषव्याघ्रैर्व्याघ्रैर्गिरिगुहामिव ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५ ⁠।⁠।

तत्र स्म पीना दृश्यन्ते बाहवः परिघोपमाः ⁠। आकारवर्णसुश्लक्ष्णाः पञ्चशीर्षा इवोरगाः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ६ ⁠।⁠।

सुकेशान्तानि चारूणि सुनासाक्षिभ्रुवाणि च ⁠। मुखानि राज्ञां शोभन्ते नक्षत्राणि यथा दिवि ⁠।⁠।⁠ ७ ⁠।⁠।

दमयन्ती ततो रङ्गं प्रविवेश शुभानना ⁠। मुष्णन्ती प्रभया राज्ञां चक्षूंषि च मनांसि च ⁠।⁠।⁠ ८ ⁠।⁠।

Just as tigers fill up a cave within a mountain and just as नागाs adorn the halls within भोगवती, the event hall was filled with all the great kings.

Just like a serpent having five heads, the circumference of all kings having broad shoulders (ending in five fingers) was looking in shape-form and colour.

Just as stars shine in the sky, in the same way, the great hairline with a charming nose and eyebrows were adorning the charming face of the kings.

Then, sporting the beautiful face, दमयन्ती entered the event hall and her aura was enticing the kings and stealing their minds.

तस्या गात्रेषु पतिता तेषां दृष्टिर्महात्मनाम् ⁠। तत्र तत्रैव सक्ताऽभून्न चचाल च पश्यताम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ९ ⁠।⁠।

ततः संकीर्त्यमानेषु राज्ञां नामसु भारत ⁠। ददर्श भैमी पुरुषान् पञ्चतुल्याकृतीनिह ⁠।⁠।⁠ १० ⁠।⁠।

तान्‌ समीक्ष्य ततः सर्वान् निर्विशेषाकृतीन् स्थितान् ⁠। संदेहादथ वैदर्भी नाभ्यजानान्नलं नृपम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ११ ⁠।⁠।

All the kings kept on gazing has as soon as she entered the hall. Whichever part of the body the kings gazed on, their eyes got fixated that with part alone and could not move to any other part.

O भारत! Then, each of the kings started introducing themselves by conveying their name, their form, their fame and their courage. And when दमयन्ती approached the hall, at one place, one could see five men sitting together with all of them looking exactly like each other.

There was no difference at all in their form and complexion. All of them looked like king नल. Looking at all of them, दमयन्ती got confused as she was unable to recognize King नल.

यं यं हि ददृशे तेषां तं तं मेने नलं नृपम् ⁠। सा चिन्तयन्ती बुद्ध‍याथ तर्कयामास भाविनी ⁠।⁠।⁠ १२ ⁠।⁠।

कथं हि देवाञ्जानीयां कथं विद्यां नलं नृपम् ⁠। एवं संचिन्तयन्ती सा वैदर्भी भृशदुःखिता ⁠।⁠।⁠ १३ ⁠।⁠।

श्रुतानि देवलिङ्गानि तर्कयामास भारत ⁠। देवानां यानि लिङ्गानि स्थविरेभ्यः श्रुतानि मे ⁠।⁠।⁠ १४ ⁠।⁠।

तानीह तिष्ठतां भूमावेकस्यापि न लक्षये ⁠। सा विनिश्चित्य बहुधा विचार्य च पुनः पुनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १५ ⁠।⁠।

Whosever she laid her eyes on, all of them appeared as King नल to her. Using her बुद्धि, the princess then started to mentally think of logically coming out with a solution.

अहो! How will I discriminate between the देवताs and King नल and identify King नल? The situation at hand brought worry to दमयन्ती and made her unhappy.

O भारत! She had heard about the signs to recognize the देवताs and thought about them. She then thought in this manner within her own mind “I have heard from elders about the various signs using which one may be able to recognize the देवताs; however, such distinguishing signs are not visible among any of these five persons”. And after having considered multiple options again and again, she felt that surrendering to the देवताs was the right action to do at this time.

शरणं प्रति देवानां प्राप्तकालममन्यत ⁠।  वाचा च मनसा चैव नमस्कारं प्रयुज्य सा ⁠।⁠।⁠ १६ ⁠।⁠।

देवेभ्यः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा वेपमानेदमब्रवीत् ⁠। हंसानां वचनं श्रुत्वा यथा मे नैषधो वृतः ⁠। पतित्वे तेन सत्येन देवास्तं प्रदिशन्तु मे ⁠।⁠।⁠ १७ ⁠।⁠।

Then, via mind as well as her voice, she did नमस्कार to the देवताs and folding her hands and shaking, she spoke in this way – “I have heard the words of the swans and selected the king of निषध, नल, as my husband. Given this, using their own truthful aura, let the देवताs allow me to identify King नल.

मनसा वचसा चैव यथा नाभिचराम्यहम् ⁠। तेन सत्येन विबुधास्तमेव प्रदिशन्तु मे ⁠।⁠।⁠ १८ ⁠।⁠।

यथा देवैः स मे भर्ता विहितो निषधाधिपः ⁠। तेन सत्येन मे देवास्तमेव प्रदिशन्तु मे ⁠।⁠।⁠ १९ ⁠।⁠।

यथेदं व्रतमारब्धं नलस्याराधने मया ⁠। तेन सत्येन मे देवास्तमेव प्रदिशन्तु मे ⁠।⁠।⁠ २० ⁠।⁠।

स्वं चैव रूपं कुर्वन्तु लोकपाला महेश्वराः ⁠। यथाहमभिजानीयां पुण्यश्लोकं नराधिपम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २१ ⁠।⁠।

“If in my mind, in my speech and in my actions, I have never fallen down from doing good deeds, then let my truthful conduct enable the देवताs to allow me to obtain King नल.

“If the देवताs themselves have decided (or fated) that King नल should be my husband, then let my truthful conduct enable the देवताs to point him to me.

If I have started taking व्रतs to seek/ worship King नल, then let my truthful conduct enable the देवताs to tell me who King नल is.

Let the great group of लोकपालs reveal themselves to me, taking help of which I will be able to recognize King नल.

निशम्य दमयन्त्यास्तत् करुणं प्रतिदेवितम् ⁠। निश्चयं परमं तथ्यमनुरागं च नैषधे ⁠।⁠।⁠ २२ ⁠।⁠।

मनोविशुद्धिं बुद्धिं च भक्तिं रागं च नैषधे ⁠। यथोक्तं चक्रिरे देवाः सामर्थ्यं लिङ्गधारणे ⁠।⁠।⁠ २३ ⁠।⁠।

After listening to the prayer of दमयन्ती seeking her husband and recognizing her ultimate resolve, her real longing for King नल, pure heart, highest बुद्धि and love & connect with King नल, the देवताs sprouted the self-power within दमयन्ती using which she will be able to distinguish (or identify) the specific लक्षण of the देवताs.

सापश्यद् विबुधान् सर्वानस्वेदान् स्तब्धलोचनान् ⁠। हृषितस्रग्रजोहीनान् स्थितानस्पृशतः क्षितिम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २४ ⁠।⁠।

Then दमयन्ती saw – all the देवताs were free of sweat – there was not an ounce of sweat on their bodies, their eyes never blinked and the garlands they wore looked fresh, were not decaying and no dust was settling on these garlands. While they were seated on the seats, but their feet were on air not touching the earth and lastly, they did not have any shadow.

छायाद्वितीयो म्लानस्रग्रजःस्वेदसमन्वितः ⁠। भूमिष्ठो नैषधश्चैव निमेषेण च सूचितः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २५ ⁠।⁠।

Among all five of them, there was one person who had a shadow, the garland was decaying and his body carried small particles of dust and one could spot drops of sweat coming out of his body. His feet were touching the earth and his eyes were blinking. Using these signs, दमयन्ती was able to recognize नल, the king of निषध

सा समीक्ष्य तु तान्‌ देवान् पुण्यश्लोकं च भारत ⁠। नैषधं वरयामास भैमी धर्मेण पाण्डव ⁠।⁠।⁠ २६ ⁠।⁠।

विलज्जमाना वस्त्रान्तं जग्राहायतलोचना ⁠। स्कन्ध देशेऽसृजत् तस्य स्रजं परमशोभनाम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २७ ⁠।⁠।

वरयामास चैवैनं पतित्वे वरवर्णिनी ⁠।  ततो हाहेति सहसा मुक्तः शब्दो नराधिपैः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २८ ⁠।⁠।

देवैर्महर्षिभिस्तत्र साधु साध्विति भारत ⁠। विस्मितैरीरितः शब्दः प्रशंसद्भिर्नलं नृपम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २९ ⁠।⁠।

O भरतकुलभूषण पाण्डुनन्दन! दमयन्ती then again glanced the देवताs and नल again and following धर्म, selected नल, the king of निषध as her husband .

The wide eyed दमयन्ती shyly caught hold of the edge of cloth worn by नल and placed the beautiful flowery garland on the neck of King नल. In this way, दमयन्ती selected King नल as per husband.

At this time, all the kings present in the hall loudly exclaimed words of ‘हाहाकार’.

O भारत! All देवताs and महर्षिs exclaimed as “well-done” again and again. All of them expressed surprise and praised king नल for his good fortune.

दमयन्तीं तु कौरव्य वीरसेनसुतो नृपः ⁠। आश्वासयद् वरारोहां प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३० ⁠।⁠।

यत् त्वं भजसि कल्याणि पुमांसं देवसंनिधौ ⁠। तस्मान्मां विद्धि भर्तारमेवं ते वचने रतम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३१ ⁠।⁠।

यावच्च मे धरिष्यन्ति प्राणा देहे शुचिस्मिते ⁠। तावत् त्वयि भविष्यामि सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३२ ⁠।⁠।

O कुरुनन्दन! The strong नल was exhilarated and gave a heartful assurance to दमयन्ती by telling her

O कल्याणी! Despite being in the presence of the देवताs, you have chosen an ordinary man like me – owing to this unusual love (you have expressed), know me as being one who will always be eager to follow your orders at all times.

O देवी with a pure smile! Till there is life within my body, I will have continuous affection for you, this is the truthful vow I am making now.

दमयन्ती तथा वाग्भिरभिनन्द्य कृताञ्जलिः ⁠। तौ परस्परतः प्रीतौ दृष्ट्वा त्वग्निपुरोगमान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३३ ⁠।⁠।

तानेव शरणं देवाञ्जग्मतुर्मनसा तदा ⁠। वृते तु नैषधे भैम्या लोकपाला महौजसः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३४ ⁠।⁠।

प्रहृष्टमनसः सर्वे नलायाष्टौ वरान् ददुः ⁠। प्रत्यक्षदर्शनं यज्ञे गतिं चानुत्तमां शुभाम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३५ ⁠।⁠।

In this way, दमयन्ती too folded her hands and using respectful language, praised King नल. Both held each other’s hands and were very happy gaining each other. They also mentally sought protection of देवताs like अग्नि, etc who were standing in front of them.

When दमयन्ती selected king नल as her husband, all the glorious लोकपालs too were pleased and granted eight boons to them. इंद्र, the husband of शची, being pleased, gave a boon to नल, the king of निषध – “In every यज्ञ, I will give you direct vision of me and will give you access to the most pious outcome at the end”.

नैषधाय ददौ शक्रः प्रीयमाणः शचीपतिः ⁠।  अग्निरात्मभवं प्रादाद् यत्र वाञ्छति नैषधः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३६ ⁠।⁠।

लोकानात्मप्रभांश्चैव ददौ तस्मै हुताशनः ⁠। यमस्त्वन्नरसं प्रादाद् धर्मे च परमां स्थितिम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३७ ⁠।⁠।

अपां पतिरपां भावं यत्र वाञ्छति नैषधः ⁠। स्रजश्चोत्तमगन्धाढ्याः सर्वे च मिथुनं ददुः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३८ ⁠।⁠।

वरानेवं प्रदायास्य देवास्ते त्रिदिवं गताः ⁠। पार्थिवाश्चानुभूयास्य विवाहं विस्मयान्विताः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३९ ⁠।⁠।

The accepter of all offerings (in a यज्ञ), अग्नि, told नल that he will have a glorious aura like अग्नि Himself and also added that wherever नल wants to manifest me, I will manifest at such a place.

यमराज said that in the kitchen built by नल, the best juice & flavours will be present and second, नल will always have conviction in being aligned to धर्म.

The lord of water, वरुण, granted the wish of नल that he will always manifest at the place where नल wants him to manifest and also added that the flowers at your place will always be filled with great fragrance. In this way, all देवताs granted नल two boons each.

After granting the wishes, all the देवताs went away to स्वर्गलोक. All the kings who had come over to the स्वयंवर happily went back wherever they came from after being spellbound and awed by the event of marriage of नल and दमयन्ती.

दमयन्त्याश्च मुदिताः प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम् ⁠। गतेषु पार्थिवेन्द्रेषु भीमः प्रीतो महामनाः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४० ⁠।⁠।

After all the kings departed, the great भीम got नल and दमयन्ती married in line with the rituals contained in the शास्त्रs with full happiness.

विवाहं कारयामास दमयन्त्या नलस्य च ⁠।  उष्य तत्र यथाकामं नैषधो द्विपदां वरः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४१ ⁠।⁠।

नल, the king of निषध who is the greatest among humans, continued to live at the residence of his in-laws on his own for some time after which, taking permission of भीम, the king of विदर्भ, returned to his own kingdom (with दमयन्ती).

भीमेन समनुज्ञातो जगाम नगरं स्वकम् ⁠।  अवाप्य नारीरत्नं तु पुण्यश्लोकोऽपि पार्थिवः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४२ ⁠।⁠।

O राजन्! The virtuous king नल after marrying the beautiful pearl of a woman roamed around with her just as शची and इंद्र move around.

रेमे सह तया राजञ्छच्येव बलवृत्रहा ⁠।  अतीव मुदितो राजा भ्राजमानोंऽशुमानिव ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४३ ⁠।⁠।

King नल was shining like सूर्य. The courageous नल used to be happy and used to take care of the citizens of his kingdom with धर्म and thereby keep them happy.

अरञ्जयत् प्रजा वीरो धर्मेण परिपालयन् ⁠।  ईजे चाप्यश्वमेधेन ययातिरिव नाहुषः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४४ ⁠।⁠।

This intelligent king used to perform many यज्ञ just as ययाति, the son of नहुष, used to perform अश्वमेध and other यज्ञs where lot of दक्षिणा used to be given.

अन्यैश्च बहुभिर्धीमान् क्रतुभिश्चाप्तदक्षिणैः ⁠।  पुनश्च रमणीयेषु वनेषूपवनेषु च ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४५ ⁠।⁠।

Also, king नल, who can be compared to the देवs, used to roam around forests and gardens along with दमयन्ती

दमयन्त्या सह नलो विजहारामरोपमः ⁠। जनयामास च ततो दमयन्त्यां महामनाः ⁠। इन्द्रसेनं सुतं चापि इन्द्रसेनां च कन्यकाम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४६ ⁠।⁠।

From the womb of दमयन्ती were born one boy, इन्द्रसेन and one girl named इन्द्रसेना ना

एवं स यजमानश्च विहरंश्च नराधिपः ⁠। ररक्ष वसुसम्पूर्णां वसुधां वसुधाधिपः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४७ ⁠।⁠।

In this way, performing यज्ञs and roaming around happily, the king नल took care of the kingdom with his treasury always being full of food and wealth.

TO BE CONTINUED……