दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
तच्छुत्वा पृथिवीपाला: सर्वे हच्छयपीडिता: । त्वरिता: समुपाजम्मुर्दमयन्तीम भीप्सव:,यह सुनकर सब भूपाल कामपीड़ित हो दमयन्तीको पानेकी इच्छासे तुरंत चल दिये
tac chrutvā pṛthivīpālāḥ sarve hṛcchayapīḍitāḥ | tvaritāḥ samupājagmur damayantīm abhīpsavaḥ ||
Nghe vậy, tất cả các vua—bị cơn sốt dục vọng giày vò—lập tức vội vã lên đường, khát khao giành được Damayantī.
बृहदश्व उवाच
The verse highlights how desire (hṛcchaya) can overpower judgment, even in kings, prompting hurried action; it implicitly points toward the need for restraint and dharmic conduct when pursuing personal aims.
After hearing about Damayantī, the kings become love-stricken and immediately set out, eager to obtain her—preparing the narrative ground for her svayaṃvara and the ensuing tests of worthiness and choice.