Nārada’s Account of the Kaliṅga Svayaṃvara: Duryodhana’s Seizure and Karṇa’s Escort
ततः संश्राव्यमाणेषु राज्ञां नामसु भारत | अत्यक्रामद् धार्तराष्ट्रं सा कन्या वरवर्णिनी
tataḥ saṁśrāvyamāṇeṣu rājñāṁ nāmasu bhārata | atyakrāmad dhārtarāṣṭraṁ sā kanyā varavarṇinī bharatanandana ||
Nārada disse: “Então, ó Bhārata, enquanto os nomes dos reis eram anunciados em voz alta e apresentados um a um, aquela donzela de beleza primorosa passou adiante, seguindo além do filho de Dhṛtarāṣṭra (Duryodhana), ó alegria dos Bharatas.”
नारद उवाच
The verse highlights personal agency and social signaling in a royal selection context: as candidates are publicly identified, the maiden’s movement past Duryodhana implies a deliberate preference or rejection. Ethically, it underscores that status alone does not guarantee acceptance; choice must align with discernment and propriety.
During a formal presentation where kings’ names are being proclaimed, a beautiful princess proceeds forward and passes beyond the Dhārtarāṣṭra prince—understood as Duryodhana—suggesting she does not stop for him and continues toward others.