Shloka 27
दमयन्तीस्वयंवरः — देववेषधारणं, सत्यप्रार्थना, नलवरणम्
Damayantī’s Svayaṃvara: Divine Disguises, Truth-Vow, and Choosing Nala
नलो<पि राजा कौन्तेय श्रुत्वा राज्ञां समागमम् । अभ्यगच्छददीनात्मा दमयन्तीमनुव्रत:,कुन्तीनन्दन! उदारहृदय राजा नल भी विदर्भनगरमें समस्त राजाओंका समागम सुनकर दमयन्तीमें अनुरक्त हो वहाँ गये
nalo 'pi rājā kaunteya śrutvā rājñāṃ samāgamam | abhyagacchad adīnātmā damayantīm anuvrataḥ ||
ഹേ കൗന്തേയ, രാജാക്കന്മാരുടെ മഹാസമാഗമത്തിന്റെ വാർത്ത കേട്ടപ്പോൾ രാജാവ് നലനും—മനം തളരാതെ, ദമയന്തിയോടുള്ള നിഷ്ഠാവ്രതത്തോടെ—അവിടെത്തേക്ക് പുറപ്പെട്ടു।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfastness of mind (adīnātmā) and fidelity to one’s chosen commitment (anuvrata) are presented as virtues: Nala does not waver on hearing of rival kings, but proceeds with resolve and integrity toward his intended aim.
Narada narrates that Nala hears about a grand gathering of kings (connected with Damayanti’s marriage-choice setting) and, remaining undiscouraged, travels there—motivated by his attachment and devoted intention toward Damayanti.