Shloka 273
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
वरयामास चैवैनं पतित्वे वरवर्णिनी । विशाल नेत्रोंवाली दमयन्तीने लजाते-लजाते नलके वस्त्रका छोर पकड़ लिया और उनके गलेमें परम सुन्दर फूलोंका हार डाल दिया। इस प्रकार वरवर्णिनी दमयन्तीने राजा नलका पतिरूपमें वरण कर लिया
varayāmāsa caivainaṃ patitve varavarṇinī | viśālanetrorvālī damayantī lajjate-lajjate nalasya vastrasya choraṃ jagrāha, tasya ca gale parama-sundara-puṣpa-hāraṃ nyadhāt | evaṃ varavarṇinī damayantī rājānaṃ nalaṃ patirūpeṇa vavre |
Bṛhadaśva said: Then the fair-complexioned Damayantī chose him as her husband. With large, lotus-like eyes, she shyly took hold of the edge of Nala’s garment and placed upon his neck a supremely beautiful garland of flowers. In this way, the radiant Damayantī publicly accepted King Nala as her chosen lord in the midst of the svayaṃvara.
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights moral agency and dharmic commitment in marriage: Damayantī makes a clear, public choice, combining modesty (lajjā) with decisiveness. The garlanding signifies responsibility and consent, not merely emotion.
During the svayaṃvara, Damayantī shyly approaches Nala, touches the edge of his garment, and places a beautiful flower garland on his neck—formal signs that she has chosen King Nala as her husband.