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 berkata: “Melihat Raja Nala bersinar seperti matahari, para penjaga alam itu berdiri terpaku, terpesona oleh kemegahan rupanya. Ditundukkan oleh sinar dan keunggulannya, mereka melepaskan tekad untuk memenangi Damayantī bagi diri mereka.”
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.