Shloka 10
दमयन्तीस्वयंवरः — देववेषधारणं, सत्यप्रार्थना, नलवरणम्
Damayantī’s Svayaṃvara: Divine Disguises, Truth-Vow, and Choosing Nala
श्र॒त्वा तु पार्थिवा: सर्वे दमयन्त्या: स्वयंवरम् । अभिजमग्मुस्ततो भीम॑ राजानो भीमशासनात्,दमयन्तीका स्वयंवर होने जा रहा है, यह सुनकर सभी नरेश विदर्भराज भीमके आदेशसे हाथी, घोड़ों तथा रथोंकी तुमुल ध्वनिसे पृथ्वीको गुँजाते हुए उनकी राजधानीमें गये। उस समय उनके साथ विचित्र माला एवं आभूषणोंसे विभूषित बहुत-से सैनिक देखे जा रहे थे
śrutvā tu pārthivāḥ sarve damayantyāḥ svayaṃvaram | abhijagmus tato bhīmā rājāno bhīmaśāsanāt ||
Hearing that Damayantī’s svayaṃvara was to be held, all the kings set out at once. At King Bhīma’s command, those mighty rulers arrived in his capital, making the earth resound with the tumult of elephants, horses, and chariots; and with them were seen many troops, adorned with splendid garlands and ornaments.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in the form of orderly kingship and the social sanctity of marriage: a svayaṃvara is a public, regulated institution, and a righteous ruler’s command coordinates a vast gathering without chaos, emphasizing responsibility, decorum, and legitimacy.
Bṛhadaśva describes how, upon hearing of Damayantī’s upcoming svayaṃvara, many kings travel to King Bhīma’s capital with their retinues; the city and earth reverberate with the noise of their elephants, horses, and chariots, and the troops appear richly adorned for the ceremonial occasion.