"Vrihadaswa continued, 'Then at the sacred hour of the holy lunar day of
the auspicious season, king Bhima summoned the kings to the
_Swayamvara_. And hearing of it, all the lords of earth smit with love
speedily came thither, desirous of (possessing) Damayanti. And the
monarchs entered the amphitheatre decorated with golden pillars and a
lofty portal arch, like mighty lions entering the mountain wilds. And
those lords of earth decked with fragrant garlands and polished
ear-rings hung with jewels seated themselves on their several seats. And
that sacred assembly of Kings, graced by those tigers among men,
resembled the _Bhogavati_ swarming with the Nagas, or a mountain cavern
with tigers. And their arms were robust, and resembling iron maces, and
well-shaped, and graceful, and looking like five-headed snakes. And
graced with beautiful locks and fine noses and eyes and brows, the
countenance of the kings shone like stars in the firmament. And (when
the time came), Damayanti of beauteous face, stealing the eyes and
hearts of the princes by her dazzling light, entered the hall. And the
glances of those illustrious kings were rivetted to those parts of her
person where they had chanced to fall first, without moving at all. And
when, O Bharata, the names of the monarchs were proclaimed, the daughter
of Bhima saw five persons all alike in appearance. And beholding them
seated there, without difference of any kind in form, doubt filled her
mind, and she could not ascertain which of them was king Nala. And at
whomsoever (among them) she looked, she regarded him to be the king of
the Nishadhas. And filled with anxiety, the beautious one thought within
herself, "Oh, how shall I distinguish the celestials, and how discern
the royal Nala?" And thinking thus, the daughter of Vidarbha became
filled with grief. And, O Bharata, recollecting the marks belonging to
the celestials, of which she had heard, she thought, "Those attributes
of the celestials, of which I have heard from the aged, do not pertain
to any of these deities present here upon the earth." And revolving the
matter long in her mind, and reflecting upon it repeatedly, she decided
upon seeking the protection of the gods themselves. And bowing down unto
them with mind and speech, with folded hands, she addressed them
trembling, "Since I heard the speech of the swans, I chose the king of
the Nishadhas as my lord. For the sake of truth, O, let the gods reveal
him to me. And as in thought or word I have never swerved from him, O,
let the gods, for the sake of that truth, reveal him to me. And as the
gods themselves have destined the ruler of the Nishadhas to be my lord,
O, let them, for the sake of that truth, reveal him to me. And as it is
for paying homage unto Nala that I have adopted this vow, for the sake
of that truth, O, let the gods reveal him unto me. O, let the exalted
guardians of the worlds assume their own proper forms, so that I may
know the righteous king." Hearing these piteous words of Damayanti, and
ascertaining her fixed resolve, and fervent love for the king of
Nishadhas, the purity of her heart and her inclination and regard and
affection for Nala, the gods did as they had been adjured, and assumed
their respective attributes as best they could. And thereupon she beheld
the celestials unmoistened with perspiration, with winkless eyes, and
unfading garlands, unstained with dust, and staying without touching the
ground. And Naishadha stood revealed to his shadow, his fading garlands,
himself stained with dust and sweat, resting on the ground with winking
eyes. And, O Bharata, discerning the gods and the virtuous Nala the
daughter of Bhima chose Naishadha according to her truth. And the
large-eyed damsel then bashfully caught the hem of his garment and
placed round his neck a floral wreath of exceeding grace. And when that
fair-complexioned maiden had thus chosen Nala for her husband, the kings
suddenly broke out into exclamations of _Oh!_ and _Alas!_ And, O
Bharata, the gods and the great Rishis in wonder cried _Excellent!
Excellent!_, applauding the king the while. And, O Kauravya, the royal
son of Virasena, with heart filled with gladness, comforted the
beauteous Damayanti, saying, "Since thou, O blessed one, hast chosen a
mortal in the presence of the celestials, know me for a husband even
obedient to thy command. And, O thou of sweet smiles, truly do I tell
thee this that as long as life continueth in this body of mine, I will
remain thine and thine alone." Damayanti also, with folded hands paid
homage unto Nala in words of like import. And the happy pair beholding
Agni and the other gods mentally sought their protection. And after the
daughter of Bhima had chosen Naishadha as her husband, the _Lokapalas_
of exceeding effulgence with pleased hearts, bestowed on Nala eight
boons. And Sakra, the lord of Sachi, bestowed on Nala the boon that he
should be able to behold his godship in sacrifices and that he should
attain to blessed regions thereafter, and Hutasana bestowed on him the
boon of his own presence whenever Naishadha wished, and regions also
bright as himself. And Yama granted him subtle taste in food as well as
pre-eminence in virtue. And the lord of waters granted Nala his own
presence whenever he desired, and also garlands of celestial fragrance.
And thus each of them bestowed upon him a couple of boons. And having
bestowed these the gods went to heaven. And the kings also, having
witnessed with wonder Damayanti's selection of Nala, returned delighted
whence they had come. And on the departure of those mighty monarchs, the
high-souled Bhima, well pleased, celebrated the wedding of Nala and
Damayanti. And having stayed there for a time according to his desire,
Naishadha, the best of men, returned to his own city with the permission
of Bhima. And having attained that pearl of a woman, the virtuous king,
O monarch, began to pass his days in joy, like the slayer of Vala and
Vritra in the company of Sachi. And resembling the sun in glory, the
king, full of gladness, began to rule his subjects righteously, and give
them great satisfaction. And like unto Yayati, the son of Nahusha, that
intelligent monarch celebrated the horse sacrifice and many other
sacrifices with abundant gifts to Brahmanas. And like unto a very god,
Nala sported with Damayanti in romantic woods and groves. And the
high-minded king begat upon Damayanti a son named Indrasena, and a
daughter named Indrasena. And celebrating sacrifice, and sporting (with
Damayanti) thus, the king ruled the earth abounding in wealth.'"