Shloka 8
दमयन्तीस्वयंवरः — देववेषधारणं, सत्यप्रार्थना, नलवरणम्
Damayantī’s Svayaṃvara: Divine Disguises, Truth-Vow, and Choosing Nala
उसकी वैसी आकृति और अस्वस्थ-अवस्थाका क्या कारण है, यह सखियोंने संकेतसे जान लिया। तदनन्तर दमयन्तीकी सखियोंने विदर्भनरेशको उसकी उस अस्वस्थ-अवस्थाके विषयमें सूचना दी। सखियोंके मुखसे दमयन्तीके विषयमें वैसी बात सुनकर राजा भीमने बहुत सोचा-विचारा, परंतु अपनी पुत्रीके लिये कोई विशेष महत्त्वपूर्ण कार्य उन्हें नहीं सूझ पड़ा। वे सोचने लगे कि “क्यों मेरी पुत्री आजकल स्वस्थ नहीं दिखायी देती है?” || ५-- ७ ।। स समीक्ष्य महीपाल: स्वां सुतां प्राप्तयौवनाम् । अपश्यदात्मना कार्य दमयन्त्या: स्वयंवरम्,राजाने बहुत सोचने-विचारनेके बाद यह निश्चय किया कि मेरी पुत्री अब युवावस्थामें प्रवेश कर चुकी, अतः दमयन्तीके लिये स्वयंवर रचाना ही उन्हें अपना विशेष कर्तव्य दिखायी दिया
sa samīkṣya mahīpālaḥ svāṃ sutāṃ prāptayauvanām | apaśyad ātmanā kāryaṃ damayantyāḥ svayaṃvaram ||
The maidens, by subtle signs, understood the cause of her altered look and failing health. Thereafter Damayantī’s companions informed the king of Vidarbha of her distressed condition. Hearing such words from their lips, King Bhīma pondered long, yet no other weighty course for his daughter came to mind; and he thought, “Why does my daughter these days not appear well?” Then, having observed that his daughter had entered maidenly youth, the king resolved that his proper duty was to arrange Damayantī’s svayaṃvara—the ceremony of a bride’s self-choice.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma includes timely, thoughtful action for the welfare of dependents. Recognizing Damayantī’s maturity, the king identifies a socially and ethically appropriate step—arranging a svayaṃvara—rather than remaining passive in uncertainty.
Damayantī’s condition has drawn concern; after reflection, her father (the king of Vidarbha) observes she has reached youth and decides that organizing her svayaṃvara is the proper course, setting the stage for the next events in the Nala–Damayantī episode.