Narada and Parvata's Curse: The Proposal of Damayanti's Marriage

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.6.26.1)

व्यास उवाच । इति मे वचनं श्रुत्वा नारदः परमार्थवित् । मामाह च स्मितं कृत्वा पृच्छन्तं मोहकारणम्

vyāsa uvāca | iti me vacanaṁ śrutvā nāradaḥ paramārthavit | māmāha ca smitaṁ kṛtvā pṛcchantaṁ mohakāraṇam

Vyasa said: Hearing these words of mine, Narada, knower of the highest truth, smiled and spoke to me, who had asked the cause of delusion —

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.6.26.2)

नारद उवाच । पाराशर्य पुराणज्ञ किं पृच्छसि सुनिश्चयम् । संसारेऽस्मिन्विना मोहं कोऽपि नास्ति शरीरवान्

nārada uvāca | pārāśarya purāṇajña kiṁ pṛcchasi suniścayam | saṁsāre'sminvinā mohaṁ ko'pi nāsti śarīravān

Narada said: 'O son of Parashara, knower of the Puranas, why do you ask with such certainty? In this world of transmigration, no embodied being is free of delusion.'

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.6.26.3)

ब्रह्माविष्णुस्तथा रुद्रः सनकः कपिलस्तथा । मायया वेष्टिताः सर्वे भ्रमन्ति भववर्त्मनि

brahmāviṣṇustathā rudraḥ sanakaḥ kapilastathā | māyayā veṣṭitāḥ sarve bhramanti bhavavartmani

'Brahma, Vishnu, and Rudra, Sanaka and Kapila as well — all, enveloped by maya, wander upon the path of worldly existence.'

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.6.26.4)

ज्ञानिनं मां जनो वेत्ति भ्रान्तोऽहं सर्वलोकवत् । शृणु मे पूर्ववृत्तान्तं प्रब्रवीमि सुनिश्चितम्

jñāninaṁ māṁ jano vetti bhrānto'haṁ sarvalokavat | śṛṇu me pūrvavṛttāntaṁ prabravīmi suniścitam

'People consider me a knower of truth, yet I too have been deluded, like all the world. Listen to my past story; I shall tell it to you exactly.'

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.6.26.5)

दुःखं मया यथा पूर्वमनुभूतं महत्तरम् । स्वकृतेन च मोहेन भार्यार्थे वासवीसुत

duḥkhaṁ mayā yathā pūrvamanubhūtaṁ mahattaram | svakṛtena ca mohena bhāryārthe vāsavīsuta

'O son of Vasavi, hear of the very great suffering I once experienced, through a delusion of my own making, for the sake of a woman.'

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.6.26.6)

एकदा पर्वतश्चाहं देवलोकान्महीतलम् । प्राप्तो विलोकनार्थाय भारतं खण्डमुत्तमम्

ekadā parvataścāhaṁ devalokānmahītalam | prāpto vilokanārthāya bhārataṁ khaṇḍamuttamam

'Once Parvata and I came down from the world of the gods to the earth, in order to see this excellent land of Bharata.'

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.6.26.7)

भ्रमन्तौ सहितावुर्व्यां पश्यन्तौ तीर्थमण्डलम् । पावनानि च स्थानानि मुनीनामाश्रमाञ्छुभान्

bhramantau sahitāvurvyāṁ paśyantau tīrthamaṇḍalam | pāvanāni ca sthānāni munīnāmāśramāñchubhān

'Wandering together over the earth, seeing the circle of holy tirthas, the purifying places, and the auspicious hermitages of sages —'

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.6.26.8)

शपथं देवलोकात्तु कृत्वा पूर्वं परस्परम् । चलितौ समयं चेमं सम्मन्त्र्य निश्चयेन वै

śapathaṁ devalokāttu kṛtvā pūrvaṁ parasparam | calitau samayaṁ cemaṁ sammantrya niścayena vai

'—before leaving the world of the gods we had taken a mutual oath; on this pact the two of us, having firmly resolved together, had set out —'

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.6.26.9)

चित्तवृत्तिस्तु वक्तव्या यादृशी यस्य जायते । शुभा वाप्यशुभा वापि न गोप्तव्या कदाचन

cittavṛttistu vaktavyā yādṛśī yasya jāyate | śubhā vāpyaśubhā vāpi na goptavyā kadācana

'"Whatever thought arises in the mind of either of us — good or bad — it shall never be concealed."'

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.6.26.10)

भोजनेच्छा धनेच्छापि रतीच्छा वा भवेदपि । यादृशी यस्य चित्ते तु कथनीया परस्परम्

bhojanecchā dhanecchāpi ratīcchā vā bhavedapi | yādṛśī yasya citte tu kathanīyā parasparam

'"Whether it be a desire for food, or for wealth, or for love — whatever arises in either mind shall be told to the other."'

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.6.26.11)

इत्यावां समयं कृत्वा स्वर्गाद्भूलोकमागतौ । एकचित्तौ मुनीभूतौ विचरन्तौ यथेच्छया

ityāvāṁ samayaṁ kṛtvā svargādbhūlokamāgatau | ekacittau munībhūtau vicarantau yathecchayā

'Having made this pact, the two of us came down from heaven to the earth, of one mind, as ascetics, wandering as we wished —'

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.6.26.12)

एवं भ्रमन्तौ लोकेऽस्मिन्ग्रीष्मान्ते समुपागते । सञ्जयस्य पुरं रम्यं सम्प्राप्तौ नृपते पुनः

evaṁ bhramantau loke'smingrīṣmānte samupāgate | sañjayasya puraṁ ramyaṁ samprāptau nṛpate punaḥ

'—and, wandering thus in this world, when the end of summer came, we arrived again at the lovely city of King Sanjaya.'

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.6.26.13)

तेन सम्पूजितौ भक्त्या राज्ञा सम्मानितौ भृशम् । स्थितौ तत्र गृहे तस्य चातुर्मास्यं महात्मनः

tena sampūjitau bhaktyā rājñā sammānitau bhṛśam | sthitau tatra gṛhe tasya cāturmāsyaṁ mahātmanaḥ

'That king honored us with devotion and great respect; we stayed in the house of that great soul for the four months of the rains.'

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.6.26.14)

वार्षिकाश्चतुरो मासा दुर्गमाः पथि सर्वदा । तस्मादेकत्र विबुधैः स्थातव्यमिति निश्चयः

vārṣikāścaturo māsā durgamāḥ pathi sarvadā | tasmādekatra vibudhaiḥ sthātavyamiti niścayaḥ

'The four rainy months always make travel difficult; therefore it is the settled rule that the wise should remain in one place.'

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.6.26.15)

अष्टौ मासांस्तु प्रवसेत्सदा कार्यवशाद्द्विजः । वर्षाकाले न गन्तव्यं प्रवासे सुखमिच्छता

aṣṭau māsāṁstu pravasetsadā kāryavaśāddvijaḥ | varṣākāle na gantavyaṁ pravāse sukhamicchatā

'For the remaining eight months a Brahmin may always travel as duty requires, but one who desires comfort should not journey in the rains.'

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.6.26.16)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा सञ्जयस्य गृहे तदा । संस्थितौ मानितौ राज्ञा कृतातिथ्यौ महात्मना

iti sañcintya manasā sañjayasya gṛhe tadā | saṁsthitau mānitau rājñā kṛtātithyau mahātmanā

'Reflecting thus, we remained in the house of Sanjaya, honored by the king and given hospitality.'

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.6.26.17)

दमयन्तीति विख्याता तस्य पुत्री महीपतेः । आज्ञप्ता परिचर्यार्थं सुदती सुन्दरी भृशम्

damayantīti vikhyātā tasya putrī mahīpateḥ | ājñaptā paricaryārthaṁ sudatī sundarī bhṛśam

'The king's daughter, known as Damayanti, of lovely teeth and exceeding beauty, was assigned to attend upon us.'

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.6.26.18)

विवेकज्ञा विशालाक्षी राजपुत्री कृतोद्यमा । सेवनं सर्वकाले च व्यदधादुभयोरपि

vivekajñā viśālākṣī rājaputrī kṛtodyamā | sevanaṁ sarvakāle ca vyadadhādubhayorapi

'That discerning, large-eyed princess diligently rendered service to both of us at all times.'

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.6.26.19)

स्नानार्थमुदकं काले भोजनं मृष्टमायतम् । मुखवासं तथा चान्यं यदिष्टं तद्ददाति सा

snānārthamudakaṁ kāle bhojanaṁ mṛṣṭamāyatam | mukhavāsaṁ tathā cānyaṁ yadiṣṭaṁ taddadāti sā

'Water for bathing at the right time, delicious and abundant food, mouth-fresheners, and whatever else was wanted — all of it she provided.'

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.6.26.20)

मनोऽभिलषितान्कामानुभयोरपि कन्यका । व्यजनासनशय्यादीन्वाञ्छितानप्यकल्पयत्

mano'bhilaṣitānkāmānubhayorapi kanyakā | vyajanāsanaśayyādīnvāñchitānapyakalpayat

'That maiden also arranged for us whatever our hearts desired — fans, seats, beds, and other such things.'

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.6.26.21)

एवं संसेव्यमानौ तु स्थितौ राज्ञो गृहे किल । वेदाध्ययनसंशीलावावां वेदव्रते रतौ

evaṁ saṁsevyamānau tu sthitau rājño gṛhe kila | vedādhyayanasaṁśīlāvāvāṁ vedavrate ratau

'Thus attended, we two remained in the king's house, devoted to the study of the Vedas and engaged in Vedic observance.'

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.6.26.22)

अहं वीणां करे कृत्वा साधयित्वा स्वरोत्तमम् । गायत्रं साम सुस्वादमगां कर्णरसायनम्

ahaṁ vīṇāṁ kare kṛtvā sādhayitvā svarottamam | gāyatraṁ sāma susvādamagāṁ karṇarasāyanam

'Taking the vina in hand and perfecting the finest notes, I would sing the sweet Gayatra Sama-chant, an elixir to the ears.'

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.6.26.23)

राजपुत्री तु तच्छ्रुत्वा सामगानं मनोहरम् । बभूव मयि रागाढ्या प्रीतियुक्ता विशारदा

rājaputrī tu tacchrutvā sāmagānaṁ manoharam | babhūva mayi rāgāḍhyā prītiyuktā viśāradā

'The princess, hearing that captivating chant, became filled with passion for me, discerning and full of affection.'

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.6.26.24)

दिने दिनेऽनुरागोऽस्या मयि वृद्धिं गतः परः । ममापि प्रीतियुक्तायां मनो जातं स्पृहापरम्

dine dine'nurāgo'syā mayi vṛddhiṁ gataḥ paraḥ | mamāpi prītiyuktāyāṁ mano jātaṁ spṛhāparam

'Day by day her passion for me grew ever greater; and toward that loving girl my own mind, too, filled with longing.'

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.6.26.25)

मम तस्य च सा कन्या भोजनादिषु कर्हिचित् । अकरोदन्तरं किञ्चित्सेवाभेदं रसान्विता

mama tasya ca sā kanyā bhojanādiṣu karhicit | akarodantaraṁ kiñcitsevābhedaṁ rasānvitā

'That maiden, in matters of food and the like, sometimes made a distinction between me and Parvata, a certain difference in her service.'

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.6.26.26)

स्नानायोष्णजलं मह्यं पर्वताय च शीतलम् । दधि मह्यं तथा तक्रं पर्वतायाप्यकल्पयत्

snānāyoṣṇajalaṁ mahyaṁ parvatāya ca śītalam | dadhi mahyaṁ tathā takraṁ parvatāyāpyakalpayat

'Warm water for my bath, and cold for Parvata; curds for me, but only buttermilk for Parvata.'

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.6.26.27)

शयनास्तरणं शुभ्रं मदर्थे पर्यकल्पयत् । प्रीत्या परमया यद्वत्पर्वताय न तादृशम्

śayanāstaraṇaṁ śubhraṁ madarthe paryakalpayat | prītyā paramayā yadvatparvatāya na tādṛśam

'She arranged a spotless white bedspread for me with the utmost affection, quite unlike what she did for Parvata.'

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.6.26.28)

विलोकयति मां प्रेम्णा सुन्दरी न च पर्वतम् । ततोऽस्यास्तादृशं दृष्ट्वा पर्वतः प्रेमकारणम्

vilokayati māṁ premṇā sundarī na ca parvatam | tato'syāstādṛśaṁ dṛṣṭvā parvataḥ premakāraṇam

'That beautiful girl gazed at me with love, but not at Parvata; and seeing this, Parvata, [wondering at] the cause of this affection —'

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.6.26.29)

मनसा चिन्तयामास किमेतदिति विस्मितः । पप्रच्छ मां रहः सम्यग्ब्रूहि नारद सर्वथा

manasā cintayāmāsa kimetaditi vismitaḥ | papraccha māṁ rahaḥ samyagbrūhi nārada sarvathā

'—was struck with wonder in his mind: "What is this?" He asked me in private: "Tell me the whole truth, Narada."'

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.6.26.30)

राजपुत्री त्वयि प्रेम करोति मुदिता भृशम् । ददाति भक्ष्यभोज्यानि स्नेहयुक्ता समन्ततः

rājaputrī tvayi prema karoti muditā bhṛśam | dadāti bhakṣyabhojyāni snehayuktā samantataḥ

'"The princess is greatly delighted and shows love toward you; full of affection, she gives you food and delicacies from every side."'

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.6.26.31)

न तथा मयि भेदोऽत्र सन्देहं जनयत्यसौ । मन्यते त्वां पतिं कर्तुं सर्वथा सञ्जयात्मजा

na tathā mayi bhedo'tra sandehaṁ janayatyasau | manyate tvāṁ patiṁ kartuṁ sarvathā sañjayātmajā

'"She makes no such distinction with me — this raises doubt in me. I think Sanjaya's daughter means to make you her husband."'

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.6.26.32)

तवापि तादृशं भावं जानामि लक्षणैरहम् । नेत्रवक्त्रविकारैश्च ज्ञायते प्रीतिकारणम्

tavāpi tādṛśaṁ bhāvaṁ jānāmi lakṣaṇairaham | netravaktravikāraiśca jñāyate prītikāraṇam

'"I too can tell, by certain signs, that you feel likewise toward her — the change in your eyes and face reveals the cause."'

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.6.26.33)

सत्यं वद न ते मिथ्या वक्तव्यं वचनं मुने । स्वर्गतः समयं कृत्वा चलितौ संस्मराधुना

satyaṁ vada na te mithyā vaktavyaṁ vacanaṁ mune | svargataḥ samayaṁ kṛtvā calitau saṁsmarādhunā

'"Speak the truth, O sage, and tell me nothing false; remember now the pact we made before leaving heaven."'

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.6.26.34)

नारद उवाच । पृष्टोऽहं पर्वतेनेदं कारणं तु हठाद्यदा । तदाहं ह्रीसमाक्रान्तः सञ्जातश्चाब्रुवं पुनः

nārada uvāca | pṛṣṭo'haṁ parvatenedaṁ kāraṇaṁ tu haṭhādyadā | tadāhaṁ hrīsamākrāntaḥ sañjātaścābruvaṁ punaḥ

Narada said: 'When Parvata insistently pressed me for the reason, I, overcome with shame, spoke again —'

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.6.26.35)

पर्वतैषा विशालाक्षी पतिं मां कर्तुमुद्यता । ममापि मानसो भावो वर्ततेऽस्यां विशेषतः

parvataiṣā viśālākṣī patiṁ māṁ kartumudyatā | mamāpi mānaso bhāvo vartate'syāṁ viśeṣataḥ

'"O Parvata, this large-eyed girl is indeed intent on making me her husband; and I too feel a particular affection for her."'

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.6.26.36)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं सत्यं पर्वतः कोपसंयुतः । मामुवाच मुनिर्वाक्यं धिग्धिगिति पुनः पुनः

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ satyaṁ parvataḥ kopasaṁyutaḥ | māmuvāca munirvākyaṁ dhigdhigiti punaḥ punaḥ

'Hearing that honest admission, Parvata was overcome with rage, and, saying "shame, shame" again and again, spoke to me —'

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.6.26.37)

प्रथमं शपथान्कृत्वा वञ्चितोऽहं त्वया यतः । भव वानरवक्त्रस्त्वं शापाच्च मम मित्रधुक्

prathamaṁ śapathānkṛtvā vañcito'haṁ tvayā yataḥ | bhava vānaravaktrastvaṁ śāpācca mama mitradhuk

'"Since, having first taken this vow, you have deceived me — become one with a monkey's face by my curse, O betrayer of your friend!"'

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.6.26.38)

इति शप्तस्तु तेनाहं कुपितेन महात्मना । सहसा ह्यभवं क्रूरः शाखामृगमुखस्तदा

iti śaptastu tenāhaṁ kupitena mahātmanā | sahasā hyabhavaṁ krūraḥ śākhāmṛgamukhastadā

'Thus cursed by that great soul in his fury, I became at that very instant one with a fearsome monkey's face.'

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.6.26.39)

मयापि न कृता तस्मिन्क्षमा तु भगिनीसुते । सोऽपि शप्तोऽतिकोपाद्वै मा स्वर्गे ते गतिः किल

mayāpi na kṛtā tasminkṣamā tu bhaginīsute | so'pi śapto'tikopādvai mā svarge te gatiḥ kila

'I too did not forgive him, though he was my kinsman; overcome with fury, I cursed him in return: "May you have no place in heaven!"'

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.6.26.40)

स्वल्पेऽपराधे यस्मान्मां शप्तवानसि पर्वत । तस्मात्तवापि मन्दात्मन् मृत्युलोके स्थितिः किल

svalpe'parādhe yasmānmāṁ śaptavānasi parvata | tasmāttavāpi mandātman mṛtyuloke sthitiḥ kila

'"O Parvata, since you have cursed me for so slight a fault, therefore, O foolish one, you too shall have your home in the mortal world."'

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.6.26.41)

पर्वतस्तु गतस्तस्मान्नगराद्विमना भृशम् । अहं वानरवक्त्रस्तु सञ्जातस्तत्क्षणादपि

parvatastu gatastasmānnagarādvimanā bhṛśam | ahaṁ vānaravaktrastu sañjātastatkṣaṇādapi

'Then Parvata, greatly disheartened, departed from that city; and I, at that very moment, had become one with a monkey's face.'

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.6.26.42)

दृष्ट्वा मां वानरं क्रूरं राजपुत्री विलक्षणा । विमनातीव सञ्जाता वीणाश्रवणलालसा

dṛṣṭvā māṁ vānaraṁ krūraṁ rājaputrī vilakṣaṇā | vimanātīva sañjātā vīṇāśravaṇalālasā

'Seeing me now in that fearsome monkey form, the princess, who had been so eager to hear my vina, became utterly disheartened.'

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.6.26.43)

व्यास उवाच । ततः किमभवद्ब्रह्मन् कथं शापान्निवर्तितः । मानुषास्यः पुनर्जातो भवान्ब्रूहि यथाविधि

vyāsa uvāca | tataḥ kimabhavadbrahman kathaṁ śāpānnivartitaḥ | mānuṣāsyaḥ punarjāto bhavānbrūhi yathāvidhi

Vyasa said: 'What happened then, O Brahmin? How were you freed from the curse, and how did you regain a human face? Tell me exactly.'

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.6.26.44)

पर्वतः क्व गतो भूयः सङ्गमो युवयोरभूत् । कदा कुत्र कथं सर्वं विस्तरेण वदस्व ह

parvataḥ kva gato bhūyaḥ saṅgamo yuvayorabhūt | kadā kutra kathaṁ sarvaṁ vistareṇa vadasva ha

'Where did Parvata go — did the two of you meet again? When, where, how — tell me all of it in full detail.'

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.6.26.45)

नारद उवाच । किं ब्रवीमि महाभाग मायायाश्चरितं महत् । दुःखितोऽहं भृशं तत्र पर्वते रुषिते गते

nārada uvāca | kiṁ bravīmi mahābhāga māyāyāścaritaṁ mahat | duḥkhito'haṁ bhṛśaṁ tatra parvate ruṣite gate

Narada said: 'What shall I tell you, O most fortunate one, of the great working of maya? When Parvata had gone off in anger, I was left there in deep sorrow.'

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.6.26.46)

पुनः सेवापरात्यर्थं राजपुत्री ममाभवत् । गतेऽथ पर्वते कामं स्थितस्तत्रैव सद्मनि

punaḥ sevāparātyarthaṁ rājaputrī mamābhavat | gate'tha parvate kāmaṁ sthitastatraiva sadmani

'The princess became even more devoted in her service to me; and once Parvata had willingly departed, I remained there in that very house.'

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.6.26.47)

अहं दुःखान्वितो दीनस्तथा वानरवन्मुखः । विशेषेण तु चिन्तार्तः किं मे स्यादिति चिन्तयन्

ahaṁ duḥkhānvito dīnastathā vānaravanmukhaḥ | viśeṣeṇa tu cintārtaḥ kiṁ me syāditi cintayan

'I was sorrowful, wretched, my face like a monkey's, and especially troubled by the anxious thought: what will become of me?'

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.6.26.48)

सञ्जयोऽथ सुतां दृष्ट्वा किञ्चित्प्रकटयौवनाम् । विवाहार्थे राजसुतामपृच्छत्सचिवं तदा

sañjayo'tha sutāṁ dṛṣṭvā kiñcitprakaṭayauvanām | vivāhārthe rājasutāmapṛcchatsacivaṁ tadā

'Then Sanjaya, seeing his daughter's youth beginning to show, asked his minister about her marriage —'

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.6.26.49)

विवाहकालः सम्प्राप्तः सुताया मम साम्प्रतम् । योग्यं वरं मम ब्रूहि राजपुत्रं सुसम्मतम्

vivāhakālaḥ samprāptaḥ sutāyā mama sāmpratam | yogyaṁ varaṁ mama brūhi rājaputraṁ susammatam

'"The time for my daughter's marriage has now come; tell me of some fitting, well-esteemed prince as bridegroom,"'

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.6.26.50)

रूपौदार्यगुणैर्युक्तं शूरं सुकुलसम्भवम् । विवाहं विधिवत्पुत्र्याः करोमि किल साम्प्रतम्

rūpaudāryaguṇairyuktaṁ śūraṁ sukulasambhavam | vivāhaṁ vidhivatputryāḥ karomi kila sāmpratam

'"—one endowed with beauty, generosity, and virtue, valiant and well-born; I shall now perform my daughter's marriage according to due rite."'

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.6.26.51)

प्रधानस्त्वब्रवीद्राजन् राजपुत्रा ह्यनेकशः । वर्तन्ते भुवि पुत्र्यास्ते योग्याः सर्वगुणान्विताः

pradhānastvabravīdrājan rājaputrā hyanekaśaḥ | vartante bhuvi putryāste yogyāḥ sarvaguṇānvitāḥ

'The chief minister said: "O king, there are many princes upon this earth, worthy of your daughter and endowed with every virtue."'

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.6.26.52)

यस्मिन् रुचिस्ते राजेन्द्र तमाहूय नृपात्मजम् । देहि कन्यां धनं भूरि हस्त्यश्वरथसंयुतम्

yasmin ruciste rājendra tamāhūya nṛpātmajam | dehi kanyāṁ dhanaṁ bhūri hastyaśvarathasaṁyutam

'"Summon, O king, whichever prince pleases you, and give him your daughter, together with abundant wealth, elephants, horses, and chariots."'

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.6.26.53)

नारद उवाच । पितुश्चिकीर्षितं ज्ञात्वा दमयन्ती तदा नृपम् । धात्र्या मुखेन वाक्यज्ञा तमुवाच रहः स्थितम्

nārada uvāca | pituścikīrṣitaṁ jñātvā damayantī tadā nṛpam | dhātryā mukhena vākyajñā tamuvāca rahaḥ sthitam

Narada said: 'Learning her father's intent, Damayanti, skilled in speech, had this said to the king in private, through the mouth of her nurse —'

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.6.26.54)

धात्र्युवाच । दमयन्ती महाराज पुत्री ते मामथाब्रवीत् । पितरं ब्रूहि धात्रेयि वचनान्मे सुखान्वितम्

dhātryuvāca | damayantī mahārāja putrī te māmathābravīt | pitaraṁ brūhi dhātreyi vacanānme sukhānvitam

'The nurse said: "O great king, your daughter Damayanti has told me this: 'O nurse, tell my father these words, that I might find happiness —'"'

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.6.26.55)

मया वृतोऽथ मेधावी नारदो महतीयुतः । नादमोहितया कामं नान्यः कोऽपि प्रियो मम

mayā vṛto'tha medhāvī nārado mahatīyutaḥ | nādamohitayā kāmaṁ nānyaḥ ko'pi priyo mama

'"'—I have chosen the wise Narada, master of the great vina; enchanted by his music, none but him is dear to me.'"'

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.6.26.56)

कुरु मे वाञ्छितं तात विवाहं मुनिना सह । नान्यं वरिष्ये धर्मज्ञ नारदं तु पतिं विना

kuru me vāñchitaṁ tāta vivāhaṁ muninā saha | nānyaṁ variṣye dharmajña nāradaṁ tu patiṁ vinā

'"'Father, arrange my desired marriage with that sage; O knower of dharma, I shall choose no husband but Narada.'"'

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.6.26.57)

मग्नाहं नादसिन्धौ वै नक्रहीने रसात्मके । अक्षारे सुखसम्पूर्णे तिमिङ्गिलविवर्जिते

magnāhaṁ nādasindhau vai nakrahīne rasātmake | akṣāre sukhasampūrṇe timiṅgilavivarjite

'"'I am immersed in the ocean of his music — an ocean free of crocodiles, full of sweetness, imperishable, brimming with joy, and without any timingila to endanger me.'"'