Shloka 29
दमयन्तीस्वयंवरः — देववेषधारणं, सत्यप्रार्थना, नलवरणम्
Damayantī’s Svayaṃvara: Divine Disguises, Truth-Vow, and Choosing Nala
त॑ दृष्टवा लोकपालास्ते भ्राजमानं यथा रविम् | तस्थुर्विंगतसंकल्पा विस्मिता रूपसम्पदा,सूर्यके समान प्रकाशित होनेवाले महाराज नलको देखकर वे लोकपाल उनके रूप- वैभवसे चकित हो दमयन्तीको पानेका संकल्प छोड़ बैठे
taṁ dṛṣṭvā lokapālāste bhrājamānaṁ yathā ravim | tasthur vigata-saṅkalpā vismitā rūpa-sampadā ||
Nārada said: Seeing King Nala shining like the sun, those guardian deities of the worlds stood astonished at the splendor of his form. Overwhelmed by his radiance and excellence, they let go of their resolve to win Damayantī for themselves—an implicit acknowledgment that desire must yield before evident worth and rightful choice.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights restraint and ethical recognition: even powerful beings withdraw personal desire when confronted with evident excellence and the propriety of rightful choice, suggesting that admiration and dharma can temper possessiveness.
In the Nala–Damayantī story, the lokapālas see Nala radiant like the sun. Struck by his beauty and presence, they stand amazed and relinquish their intention to obtain Damayantī.