Shloka 1
दमयन्तीस्वयंवरः — देववेषधारणं, सत्यप्रार्थना, नलवरणम्
Damayantī’s Svayaṃvara: Divine Disguises, Truth-Vow, and Choosing Nala
#व2न्ी ताज (9) आज ८ चतुष्पठ्चाशत्तमोडध्याय: स्वर्गमें नारद और इन्द्रकी बातचीत, दमयन्तीके स्वयंवरके लिये राजाओं तथा लोकपालोंका प्रस्थान बृहदश्चव उवाच दमयन्ती तु तच्छुत्वा वचो हंसस्य भारत । ततः प्रभृति न स्वस्था नल॑ प्रति बभूव सा,बृहदश्व मुनि कहते हैं--भारत! दमयन्तीने जबसे हंसकी बातें सुनीं, तबसे राजा नलके प्रति अनुरक्त हो जानेके कारण वह अस्वस्थ रहने लगी
bṛhadaśva uvāca | damayantī tu tac chrutvā vaco haṃsasya bhārata | tataḥ prabhṛti na svasthā nalaṃ prati babhūva sā ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “O Bhārata, when Damayantī heard the words of the swan, from that time onward she could not remain at ease; her mind turned in deep attachment toward King Nala.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how hearing persuasive speech can immediately shape the mind and disturb inner balance; it implicitly points to the need for discernment and self-control when emotions arise.
After a swan speaks to Damayantī about Nala, she becomes mentally unsettled and develops strong attachment toward him, setting the stage for her desire to choose him in the forthcoming svayaṃvara.