The Svayamvara: Damayanti Chooses Nala

Verse 1 (3.54.1)

अथ काले शुभे प्राप्ते तिथौ पुण्ये क्षणे तथा । आजुहाव महीपालान्भीमो राजा स्वयंवरे ॥

atha kāle śubhe prāpte tithau puṇye kṣaṇe tathā | ājuhāva mahīpālānbhīmo rājā svayaṃvare

Then, when an auspicious time came, on a holy lunar day and at a propitious moment, King Bhima summoned the rulers of the earth to the svayamvara.

Note on the text: Corrected तथौ → तिथौ (misprint in Wikisource; the word is तिथि, a lunar day, critical edition tithau).

Verse 2 (3.54.2)

तच्छ्रुत्वा पृथिवीपालाः सर्वे हृच्छयपीडिताः । त्वरिताः समुपाजग्मुर्दमयन्तीमभीप्सवः ॥

tacchrutvā pṛthivīpālāḥ sarve hṛcchayapīḍitāḥ | tvaritāḥ samupājagmurdamayantīmabhīpsavaḥ

Hearing of it, all the kings of the earth, tormented by love, came in haste, longing to win Damayanti.

Note on the text: Corrected समपाजग्मुः → समुपाजग्मुः (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped vowel sign, critical edition samupājagmur).

Verse 3 (3.54.3)

कनकस्तम्भरुचिरं तोरणेन विराजितम् । विविशुस्ते नृपा रङ्गं महासिंह इवाचलम् ॥

kanakastambharuciraṃ toraṇena virājitam | viviśuste nṛpā raṅgaṃ mahāsiṃha ivācalam

The kings entered the arena, splendid with golden pillars and graced by an arched gateway, as a great lion enters a mountain.

Verse 4 (3.54.4)

तत्रासनेषु विविधेष्वासीनाः पृथिवीक्षितः । सुरभिस्रग्धराः सर्वे प्रमृष्टमणिकुण्डलाः ॥

tatrāsaneṣu vividheṣvāsīnāḥ pṛthivīkṣitaḥ | surabhisragdharāḥ sarve pramṛṣṭamaṇikuṇḍalāḥ

There the rulers of the earth sat on seats of many kinds, all of them wearing fragrant garlands and polished jewelled earrings.

Verse 5 (3.54.5)

तां राजसमितिं पूर्णां नागैर्भोगवतीमिव । संपूर्णां पुरुषव्याघ्रैर्व्याघ्रैर्गिरिगुहामिव । प्रविवेश नलो देवैः पुण्यश्लोको नराधिपः ॥

tāṃ rājasamitiṃ pūrṇāṃ nāgairbhogavatīmiva | saṃpūrṇāṃ puruṣavyāghrairvyāghrairgiriguhāmiva | praviveśa nalo devaiḥ puṇyaśloko narādhipaḥ

Into that assembly of kings, full as Bhogavati is full of serpents and crowded with tigers among men as a mountain cave is with tigers, came Nala, the lord of men of holy fame, together with the gods.

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (3.54.5ab): Wikisource has lost the first line, तां राजसमितिं पूर्णां नागैर्भोगवतीमिव, so that संपूर्णां had no noun to qualify. Removed the backquote and quote marks around the last line (editorial marks in Wikisource) and corrected नराधिप → नराधिपः (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped visarga, the subject of प्रविवेश). The last line is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; apparatus 3.54.5b*220, where it stands after the first line).

Verse 6 (3.54.6)

तत्र स्म पीना दृश्यन्ते बाहवः परिघोपमाः । आकारवर्णसुश्लक्ष्णाः पञ्चशीर्षा इवोरगाः ॥

tatra sma pīnā dṛśyante bāhavaḥ parighopamāḥ | ākāravarṇasuślakṣṇāḥ pañcaśīrṣā ivoragāḥ

There one could see stout arms like iron bars, shapely in form and colour and very smooth, like five-headed serpents.

Verse 7 (3.54.7)

सुकेशान्तानि चारूणि सुनासानि शुभानि च । मुखानि राज्ञां शोभन्ते नक्षत्राणि यथा दिवि ॥

sukeśāntāni cārūṇi sunāsāni śubhāni ca | mukhāni rājñāṃ śobhante nakṣatrāṇi yathā divi

The faces of the kings, lovely and auspicious, with fine hair at the temples and handsome noses, shone like the stars in the sky.

Verse 8 (3.54.8)

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

damayantī tato raṅgaṃ praviveśa śubhānanā | muṣṇantī prabhayā rājñāṃ cakṣūṃṣi ca manāṃsi ca

Then Damayanti of the lovely face entered the arena, stealing the eyes and the hearts of the kings with her radiance.

Note on the text: Corrected चक्षूषि → चक्षूंषि (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped anusvara, critical edition cakṣūṃṣi).

Verse 9 (3.54.9)

तस्या गात्रेषु पतिता तेषां दृष्टिर्महात्मनाम् । तत्रतत्रैव सक्ताऽभून्न चचाल च पश्यताम् ॥

tasyā gātreṣu patitā teṣāṃ dṛṣṭirmahātmanām | tatratatraiva saktā'bhūnna cacāla ca paśyatām

The gaze of those great men fell upon her limbs, and wherever it fell, there it stayed fixed; it did not move as they looked.

Verse 10 (3.54.10)

ततः संकीर्त्यमानेषु राज्ञां नामसु भारत । ददर्श भैमी पुरुषान्पञ्च तुल्याकृतीनिह ॥

tataḥ saṃkīrtyamāneṣu rājñāṃ nāmasu bhārata | dadarśa bhaimī puruṣānpañca tulyākṛtīniha

Then, as the names of the kings were being proclaimed, O Bharata, the daughter of Bhima saw here five men of the same appearance.

Verse 11 (3.54.11)

तान्समीक्ष्य ततः सर्वान्निर्विशेषाकृतीन्स्थितान् । संदेहादथ वैदर्भी नाभ्यजानान्नलं नृपम् ॥

tānsamīkṣya tataḥ sarvānnirviśeṣākṛtīnsthitān | saṃdehādatha vaidarbhī nābhyajānānnalaṃ nṛpam

Looking at all of them standing there, alike in form without any difference, the princess of Vidarbha was in doubt and could not recognise King Nala.

Note on the text: Corrected वेदर्भी → वैदर्भी (misprint in Wikisource; a wrong vowel sign, critical edition vaidarbhī). From here to verse 17 Wikisource's verse division runs out of step with the critical edition's, because of the inserted line at the start of verse 12.

Verse 12 (3.54.12)

निर्विशेषवयोवेषरूपाणां तत्र सा शुभा । यंयं हि ददृशे तेषां तंतं मेने नलं नृपम् । सा चिन्तयन्ती बुद्ध्याऽथ तर्कयामास भामिनी ॥

nirviśeṣavayoveṣarūpāṇāṃ tatra sā śubhā | yaṃyaṃ hi dadṛśe teṣāṃ taṃtaṃ mene nalaṃ nṛpam | sā cintayantī buddhyā'tha tarkayāmāsa bhāminī

Since they were alike in age, dress and form, whichever of them the lovely girl looked at, she took to be King Nala. Then the beautiful woman, pondering in her mind, reasoned:

Note on the text: Removed the backquote and quote marks and a doubled danda around the first line (editorial marks in Wikisource), and corrected साचिन्तयन्ती → सा चिन्तयन्ती (misprint in Wikisource; two words run together). The first line is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; apparatus 3.54.11d*222); the second line = 3.54.11ef and the third = 3.54.12ab.

Verse 13 (3.54.13)

कथं नु देवाञ्जानीयां कथं विद्यां नलं नृपम् । एवं संचिन्तयन्ती सा वैदर्भी भृशदुःखिता ॥

kathaṃ nu devāñjānīyāṃ kathaṃ vidyāṃ nalaṃ nṛpam | evaṃ saṃcintayantī sā vaidarbhī bhṛśaduḥkhitā

"How can I tell which are the gods? How can I know King Nala?" Brooding thus, the princess of Vidarbha, deeply distressed,

Note on the text: = 3.54.12cd and 13ab (Wikisource's verse division runs out of step here).

Verse 14 (3.54.14)

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

śrutāni devaliṅgāni tarkayāmāsa bhārata | devānāṃ yāni liṅgāni sthavirebhyaḥ śrutāni me

turned over in her mind the marks of the gods she had heard of, O Bharata: "The signs of the gods that I have heard of from the elders —

Note on the text: = 3.54.13cd (critical edition cintayām āsa for तर्कयामास) and 14ab.

Verse 15 (3.54.15)

तानीह तिष्ठतां भूमावेकस्यापि न लक्षये । एवं विचिन्त्य बहुधा विचार्य च पुनः पुनः ॥

tānīha tiṣṭhatāṃ bhūmāvekasyāpi na lakṣaye | evaṃ vicintya bahudhā vicārya ca punaḥ punaḥ

I do not see them in even one of those standing here on the ground." Having thought it over in many ways and reflected again and again,

Note on the text: = 3.54.14cd and 15ab (critical edition sā viniścitya for एवं विचिन्त्य).

Verse 16 (3.54.16)

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

śaraṇaṃ prati devānāṃ prāptakālamamanyata | vācā ca manasā caiva namaskāraṃ prayujya sā

she judged that the time had come to seek refuge with the gods. Offering homage with word and with mind,

Note on the text: = 3.54.15cd and 16ab.

Verse 17 (3.54.17)

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

devebhyaḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā vepamānedamabravīt | haṃsānāṃ vacanaṃ śrutvā yathā me naiṣadho vṛtaḥ | patitve tena satyena devāstaṃ pradiśantu me

she joined her palms before the gods and, trembling, said this: "As I chose the king of Nishadha for my husband when I heard the words of the swans, by that truth let the gods show him to me.

Note on the text: = 3.54.16cd and 17abcd; after this verse Wikisource's division is back in step with the critical edition's.

Verse 18 (3.54.18)

मनसा वचसा चैव यथा नातिचराम्यहम् । तेन सत्येन विबुधास्तमेव प्रदिशन्तु मे ॥

manasā vacasā caiva yathā nāticarāmyaham | tena satyena vibudhāstameva pradiśantu me

As I have never strayed from him in mind or in word, by that truth let the gods show him to me.

Verse 19 (3.54.19)

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

yathā devaiḥ sa me bhartā vihito niṣadhādhipaḥ | tena satyena me devāstameva pradiśantu me

As the gods themselves ordained the lord of Nishadha to be my husband, by that truth let the gods show him to me.

Note on the text: Corrected निषधाधिषः → निषधाधिपः (misprint in Wikisource; ष for प, critical edition niṣadhādhipaḥ).

Verse 20 (3.54.20)

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

yathedaṃ vratamārabdhaṃ nalasyārādhane mayā | tena satyena me devāstameva pradiśantu me

As I undertook this vow to win Nala, by that truth let the gods show him to me.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); its first line appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.19d*223, and its second line repeats the refrain of the verses before it.

Verse 21 (3.54.21)

स्वं चैव रूपं पुष्यन्तु लोकपाला महेश्वराः । यथाऽहमभिजानीयां पुण्यश्लोकं नराधिपम् ॥

svaṃ caiva rūpaṃ puṣyantu lokapālā maheśvarāḥ | yathā'hamabhijānīyāṃ puṇyaślokaṃ narādhipam

Let the guardians of the worlds, those great lords, take on their own forms, so that I may recognise the lord of men of holy fame."

Verse 22 (3.54.22)

निशम्य दमयन्त्यास्तत्करुणं परिदेवितम् । निश्चयं परमं तथ्यमनुरागं च नैषधे ॥

niśamya damayantyāstatkaruṇaṃ paridevitam | niścayaṃ paramaṃ tathyamanurāgaṃ ca naiṣadhe

Hearing Damayanti's piteous lament, and seeing her firm and true resolve and her love for the Nishadha king,

Note on the text: Corrected प्रतिदेवितम् → परिदेवितम् (misprint in Wikisource; the word for a lament is परिदेवित, critical edition paridevitam) and निश्चयंपरमं → निश्चयं परमं (two words run together).

Verse 23 (3.54.23)

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

manoviśuddhiṃ buddhiṃ ca bhaktiṃ rāgaṃ ca naiṣadhe | yathoktaṃ cakrire devāḥ sāmarthyaṃ liṅgadhāraṇe

her purity of heart, her understanding, her devotion and her love for the Nishadha king, the gods did as she had asked and showed their power to bear their true marks.

Verse 24 (3.54.24)

साऽपश्यद्विबुधान्सर्वानस्वेदान्स्तब्धलोचनान् । अम्लानस्रग्रजोहीनान्स्थितानस्पृशतः क्षितिम् ॥

sā'paśyadvibudhānsarvānasvedānstabdhalocanān | amlānasragrajohīnānsthitānaspṛśataḥ kṣitim

She saw all the gods free of sweat, their eyes unblinking, their garlands unfaded and free of dust, standing without touching the ground.

Verse 25 (3.54.25)

छायाद्वितीयो म्लानस्रग्रजःस्वेदसमन्वितः । भूमिष्ठो नैषधश्चैव निमेषेण च सूचितः ॥

chāyādvitīyo mlānasragrajaḥsvedasamanvitaḥ | bhūmiṣṭho naiṣadhaścaiva nimeṣeṇa ca sūcitaḥ

And the Nishadha king was revealed with a shadow beside him, his garland faded, covered with dust and sweat, standing on the ground and blinking his eyes.

Verse 26 (3.54.26)

सा समीक्ष्य तु तान्देवान्पुण्यश्लोकं च भारत । नैषधं वरयामास भैमी धर्मेण पाण्डव ॥

sā samīkṣya tu tāndevānpuṇyaślokaṃ ca bhārata | naiṣadhaṃ varayāmāsa bhaimī dharmeṇa pāṇḍava

Looking at those gods and at the king of holy fame, O Bharata, the daughter of Bhima chose the Nishadha king in accordance with dharma, son of Pandu.

Verse 27 (3.54.27)

विलज्जमाना वस्त्रान्तं जग्राहायतलोचना । स्कन्धदेशेऽसृजत्तस्य स्रजं परमशोभनाम् ॥

vilajjamānā vastrāntaṃ jagrāhāyatalocanā | skandhadeśe'sṛjattasya srajaṃ paramaśobhanām

Bashfully the large-eyed girl took hold of the hem of his garment and placed a most beautiful garland on his shoulders.

Note on the text: = 3.54.26abcd. From here to verse 29 Wikisource's verse division runs half a verse out of step with the critical edition's.

Verse 28 (3.54.28)

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

varayāmāsa caivainaṃ patitve varavarṇinī | tato hāheti sahasā muktaḥ śabdo narādhipaiḥ

So the lovely woman chose him as her husband. Then a sudden cry of "Alas, alas!" broke from the kings,

Note on the text: = 3.54.26ef and 27ab.

Verse 29 (3.54.29)

देवैर्महर्षिभिस्तत्र साधुसाध्विति भारत । विस्मितैरीरितः शब्दः प्रशंसद्भिर्नलं नृपम् ॥

devairmaharṣibhistatra sādhusādhviti bhārata | vismitairīritaḥ śabdaḥ praśaṃsadbhirnalaṃ nṛpam

while the gods and great sages there, filled with wonder, raised the cry "Well done, well done!", O Bharata, in praise of King Nala.

Note on the text: = 3.54.27cd and 27ef.

Verse 30 (3.54.30)

दमयन्तीं तु कौरव्य वीरसेनसुतो नृपः । आश्वासयद्वरारोहां प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना ॥

damayantīṃ tu kauravya vīrasenasuto nṛpaḥ | āśvāsayadvarārohāṃ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā

Then, O Kauravya, the king, son of Virasena, with a joyful heart comforted Damayanti of the lovely hips:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.27f*224 (lines 1–2).

Verse 31 (3.54.31)

यत्त्वं भजसि कल्याणि पुमांसं देवसन्निधौ । तस्मान्मां विद्धि भर्तारमेतत्ते वचने रतम् ॥

yattvaṃ bhajasi kalyāṇi pumāṃsaṃ devasannidhau | tasmānmāṃ viddhi bhartārametatte vacane ratam

"Since you, fair lady, have taken a man in the presence of the gods, know me to be your husband, devoted to your word.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.27f*224 (lines 3–4).

Verse 32 (3.54.32)

यावच्च मे धरिष्यन्ति प्राणा देहे शुचिस्मिते । तावत्त्वयि भविष्यामि सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥

yāvacca me dhariṣyanti prāṇā dehe śucismite | tāvattvayi bhaviṣyāmi satyametadbravīmi te

As long as the breath of life stays in my body, bright-smiling one, so long will I be yours. I tell you this truly."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.27f*224 (lines 5–6).

Verse 33 (3.54.33)

दमयन्ती तथा वाग्भिरभिनन्द्य कृताञ्जलिः ॥

damayantī tathā vāgbhirabhinandya kṛtāñjaliḥ

Damayanti likewise, with joined palms, gladdened him with her words.

Note on the text: A single half-verse in Wikisource (line 7 of a passage with an odd number of lines). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.27f*224 (lines 7).

Verse 34 (3.54.34)

तौ परस्परतः प्रीतौ दृष्ट्वा त्वग्निपुरोगमान् । तानेव शरणं देवाञ्जग्मतुर्मनसा तदा ॥

tau parasparataḥ prītau dṛṣṭvā tvagnipurogamān | tāneva śaraṇaṃ devāñjagmaturmanasā tadā

And the two of them, delighted with each other, seeing the gods led by Agni, went in their minds to those very gods for refuge.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.27f*224 (lines 8–9).

Verse 35 (3.54.35)

वृते तु नैषधे भैम्या लोकपाला महौजसः । प्रहृष्टमनसः सर्वे नलायाष्टौ वरान्ददुः ॥

vṛte tu naiṣadhe bhaimyā lokapālā mahaujasaḥ | prahṛṣṭamanasaḥ sarve nalāyāṣṭau varāndaduḥ

When the Nishadha king had been chosen by the daughter of Bhima, the mighty guardians of the worlds, all of them glad at heart, gave Nala eight boons.

Verse 36 (3.54.36)

प्रत्यक्षदर्शनं यज्ञे गतिं चानुत्तमां शुभाम् । नैषधाय ददौ शक्रः प्रीयमाणः शचीपतिः ॥

pratyakṣadarśanaṃ yajñe gatiṃ cānuttamāṃ śubhām | naiṣadhāya dadau śakraḥ prīyamāṇaḥ śacīpatiḥ

Shakra, lord of Shachi, well pleased, gave the Nishadha king the sight of himself in visible form at sacrifices, and an unsurpassed, blessed path hereafter.

Verse 37 (3.54.37)

अग्निरात्मभवं प्रादाद्यत्र वाञ्छति नैषधः । लोकानात्मप्रभांश्चैव ददौ तस्मै हुताशनः ॥

agnirātmabhavaṃ prādādyatra vāñchati naiṣadhaḥ | lokānātmaprabhāṃścaiva dadau tasmai hutāśanaḥ

Agni granted that he himself would appear wherever the Nishadha king wished, and the eater of oblations also gave him worlds bright with his own light.

Verse 38 (3.54.38)

यमस्त्वन्नरसं प्रादाद्धर्मे च परमां स्थितिम् । अपांपतिरपां भावं यत्र वाञ्छति नैषधः । स्रजश्चोत्तमगन्धाढ्याः सर्वे च मिथुनं ददुः ॥

yamastvannarasaṃ prādāddharme ca paramāṃ sthitim | apāṃpatirapāṃ bhāvaṃ yatra vāñchati naiṣadhaḥ | srajaścottamagandhāḍhyāḥ sarve ca mithunaṃ daduḥ

Yama gave him the savour in food and supreme steadfastness in dharma. The lord of the waters gave him water wherever the Nishadha king wished, and garlands rich in the finest fragrance. So each of them gave a pair of boons.

Note on the text: Corrected यत्रवाञ्छति → यत्र वाञ्छति and सर्वेच → सर्वे च (misprints in Wikisource; words run together) and नैपधः → नैषधः (misprint; प for ष, critical edition naiṣadhaḥ). = 3.54.31abcd and 32ab (critical edition srajaṃ … gandhāḍhyāṃ, singular). From here to verse 47 Wikisource's three-line verses keep its division out of step with the critical edition's in places.

Verse 39 (3.54.39)

वरानेवं प्रदायास्य देवास्ते त्रिदिवं गताः । एतत्सर्वं नलोऽपश्यद्दमयन्ती च भारत । यथा स्वप्नं महाराज तथैव ददृशुर्जनाः ॥

varānevaṃ pradāyāsya devāste tridivaṃ gatāḥ | etatsarvaṃ nalo'paśyaddamayantī ca bhārata | yathā svapnaṃ mahārāja tathaiva dadṛśurjanāḥ

Having given him boons in this way, the gods went to heaven. All this Nala and Damayanti saw, O Bharata; and the people saw it as one sees a dream, great king.

Note on the text: Removed a backquote mark (editorial mark in Wikisource; it opens a passage that runs to verse 42). The first line = 3.54.32cd; the second and third lines are not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; apparatus 3.54.32d*226, lines 1–2).

Verse 40 (3.54.40)

ततः स्वयंवरं चक्रे भीमो राजाऽतिमानुषम् । समागतेषु सर्वेषु भूपालेषु विशांपते ॥

tataḥ svayaṃvaraṃ cakre bhīmo rājā'timānuṣam | samāgateṣu sarveṣu bhūpāleṣu viśāṃpate

Then King Bhima held a svayamvara beyond anything human, O lord of the people, with all the kings of the earth assembled.

Note on the text: Corrected स्वयवरं → स्वयंवरं (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped anusvara) and भूपालेसु → भूपालेषु (misprint; स for ष, the locative plural ending). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.32d*226 (lines 3–4).

Verse 41 (3.54.41)

दमयन्त्यपि तद्दृष्ट्वा राजमण्डलमृद्धिमत् । अन्वीक्ष्य नैषधं वव्रे भैमी धर्मेण भारत ॥

damayantyapi taddṛṣṭvā rājamaṇḍalamṛddhimat | anvīkṣya naiṣadhaṃ vavre bhaimī dharmeṇa bhārata

And Damayanti, the daughter of Bhima, having seen that splendid circle of kings and looked them over, chose the Nishadha king in accordance with dharma, O Bharata.

Note on the text: Corrected तद्दृष्ट्वाराजमण्डलम् → तद्दृष्ट्वा राजमण्डलम् and अन्वीक्ष्यनैषधं → अन्वीक्ष्य नैषधं (misprints in Wikisource; words run together). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.32d*226 (lines 5–6).

Verse 42 (3.54.42)

वृते च नैषधे भैम्या निवृत्ते च स्वयंवरे । सर्व एव महीपालाः प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥

vṛte ca naiṣadhe bhaimyā nivṛtte ca svayaṃvare | sarva eva mahīpālāḥ pratijagmuryathāgatam

When the Nishadha king had been chosen by the daughter of Bhima and the svayamvara was over, all the kings went back as they had come.

Note on the text: Removed a quote mark that closes the passage begun in verse 39 (editorial mark in Wikisource). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 43 (3.54.43)

पार्थिवाश्चानुभूयास्य विवाहं विस्मयान्विताः । दमयन्त्याश्च मुदिताः प्रतिजग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥

pārthivāścānubhūyāsya vivāhaṃ vismayānvitāḥ | damayantyāśca muditāḥ pratijagmuryathāgatam

The kings, having witnessed her marriage with wonder, went back as they had come, glad for Damayanti.

Verse 44 (3.54.44)

गतेषु पार्थिवेन्द्रेषु भीमः प्रीतो महामनाः । विवाहं कारयामास दमयन्त्या नलस्य च ॥

gateṣu pārthivendreṣu bhīmaḥ prīto mahāmanāḥ | vivāhaṃ kārayāmāsa damayantyā nalasya ca

When the kings had gone, great-hearted Bhima, well pleased, had the marriage of Damayanti and Nala performed.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.33d*227.

Verse 45 (3.54.45)

उष्य तत्र तथाकामं नैषधो द्विपदां वरः । भीमेन समनुज्ञातो जगाम नगरं स्वकम् । अवाप्य नारीरत्नं तु पुण्यश्लोकोऽपि पार्थिवः ॥

uṣya tatra tathākāmaṃ naiṣadho dvipadāṃ varaḥ | bhīmena samanujñāto jagāma nagaraṃ svakam | avāpya nārīratnaṃ tu puṇyaśloko'pi pārthivaḥ

Having stayed there as long as he wished, the Nishadha king, best of men, took leave of Bhima and went to his own city. And having won that jewel among women, the king of holy fame

Note on the text: Corrected द्विपदांवरः → द्विपदां वरः (misprint in Wikisource; two words run together) and पुण्यश्लोकोपि → पुण्यश्लोकोऽपि (missing avagraha, critical edition puṇyaśloko 'pi). The first two lines are not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension; apparatus 3.54.33d*228); the third line = 3.54.34ab.

Verse 46 (3.54.46)

रेमे सह तया राजञ्छच्येव बलवृत्रहा । अतीव मुदितो राजा भ्राजमानोऽंशुमानिव ॥

reme saha tayā rājañchacyeva balavṛtrahā | atīva mudito rājā bhrājamāno'ṃśumāniva

took his delight with her, O king, as the slayer of Bala and Vritra does with Shachi. Exceedingly glad, the king shone like the sun,

Note on the text: Corrected भ्राजमानोंशुमानिव → भ्राजमानोऽंशुमानिव (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha, critical edition bhrājamāno 'ṃśumān iva). = 3.54.34cd and 35ab.

Verse 47 (3.54.47)

अरञ्जयत्प्रजा वीरो धर्मेण परिपालयन् । ईजे चाप्यश्वमेधेन ययातिरिव नाहुषः । अन्यैश्च बहुभिर्धीमान्क्रतुभिश्चाप्तदक्षिणैः ॥

arañjayatprajā vīro dharmeṇa paripālayan | īje cāpyaśvamedhena yayātiriva nāhuṣaḥ | anyaiśca bahubhirdhīmānkratubhiścāptadakṣiṇaiḥ

and the hero delighted his subjects, protecting them by dharma. The wise king sacrificed with the horse sacrifice, like Yayati son of Nahusha, and with many other rites rich in gifts to the priests.

Note on the text: = 3.54.35cd and 36abcd; after this verse Wikisource's division is back in step with the critical edition's.

Verse 48 (3.54.48)

पुनश्च रमणीयेषु वनेषूपवनेषु च । दमयन्त्या सह नलो विजहारामरोपमः ॥

punaśca ramaṇīyeṣu vaneṣūpavaneṣu ca | damayantyā saha nalo vijahārāmaropamaḥ

And again Nala, like an immortal, roamed for pleasure with Damayanti in lovely woods and groves.

Note on the text: Corrected पुगश्च → पुनश्च (misprint in Wikisource; ग for न, critical edition punaś ca).

Verse 49 (3.54.49)

जनयामास च ततो दमयन्त्यां महामनाः । इन्द्रसेनं सुतं चापि इन्द्रसेनां च कन्यकाम् ॥

janayāmāsa ca tato damayantyāṃ mahāmanāḥ | indrasenaṃ sutaṃ cāpi indrasenāṃ ca kanyakām

And then the great-hearted king fathered on Damayanti a son, Indrasena, and a daughter, Indrasena.

Note on the text: Corrected चकन्यकाम् → च कन्यकाम् (misprint in Wikisource; two words run together). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in the critical edition's apparatus as 3.54.37d*229.

Verse 50 (3.54.50)

एवं स यजमानश्च विहरंश्च नराधिपः । ररक्ष वसुसंपूर्णां वसुधां वसुधाधिपः ॥

evaṃ sa yajamānaśca viharaṃśca narādhipaḥ | rarakṣa vasusaṃpūrṇāṃ vasudhāṃ vasudhādhipaḥ

Thus, sacrificing and taking his pleasure, the king, lord of the earth, protected the earth, full of riches.