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॥ अथ दशमः सर्गः ॥
१०.२
नाभूदभूमिः स्मरसायकानां
नासीदगन्ता कुलजः कुमारः ।
नास्थादपन्था धरणेः कणोऽपि
व्रजेषु राज्ञां युगपद्व्रजत्सु ॥
Summary AI As the processions of kings moved simultaneously, there was no noble prince who was not a target for Kama's arrows, and none who did not go. Not even a particle of the earth remained untrodden to become a path.
१०.५
तलं यथेयुर्न तिला विकीर्णाः
सैन्यैस्तथा राजपथा बभूवुः ।
भैमीं स लब्धामिव तत्र मेने
कः प्राप भूभृद्भवितुं पुरस्तात् ॥
Summary AI The royal roads became so crowded with armies that there was no space, just as scattered sesame seeds might not find the ground. Which king managed to be at the front? He who did, considered Damayanti as good as won.
१०.८
प्राग्भूय कर्कोटक आचकर्ष
सकम्बलं नागबलं यदुच्चैः ।
भुवस्तले कुण्डिनगामि राज्ञां
तद्वासुकेश्चाश्वतरोऽन्वगच्छत् ॥
Summary AI The army of elephants of the kings going to Kundina, which Karkotaka and Kambala had previously drawn up high, was now followed on the earth's surface by Vasuki and Ashvatara. (This is a complex pun on 'naga' meaning both elephant and serpent-king).
१०.९
आगच्छदुर्वीन्द्रचमूसमुत्थै-
र्भूरेणुभिः पाण्डुरिता मुखश्रीः ।
विस्पष्टमाचष्ट हरिद्वधूनां
रूपं पतित्यागदशानुरूपम् ॥
Summary AI The beauty of the faces of the maidens of the directions, made pale by the dust from the armies of the approaching kings, clearly displayed an appearance befitting the state of separation from their husbands (the guardian deities).
१०.१०
आखण्डलो दण्डधरः कृशानुः
पाशीति नाथैः ककुभां चतुर्भिः ।
भैम्येव बद्ध्वा स्वगुणेन कृष्टैः
स्वयंवरे तत्र गतं न शेषैः ॥
Summary AI Indra, Yama, Agni, and Varuna—by these four lords of the directions was the journey to the Svayamvara undertaken, as if they were bound and dragged by Damayanti's own virtues. The remaining lords did not go.
१०.१३
जातौ न वित्ते न गुणे न कामः
सौन्दर्य एव प्रवणः स वामः ।
स्वच्छस्वशैलेक्षितकुत्सबेरः
तां प्रत्यगान्न स्त्रितमां कुबेरः ॥
Summary AI That contrary god of love is inclined not towards birth, wealth, or virtue, but only towards beauty. Kubera, having seen his own ugly form reflected in his crystal mountain, did not go towards her, the most excellent of women.
१०.१५
स्वयंवरं भीमनरेन्द्रजाया
दिशः पतिनां प्रविवेश शेषः ।
प्रयातु भारं स निवेश्य कस्मि-
न्नहिर्महीगौरवसासहिर्यः ॥
Summary AI Shesha, the last of the lords of the directions (lord of the netherworld), is said to have entered the Svayamvara. But how could he go? On whom could that serpent, who constantly bears the weight of the earth, place his burden before departing?
१०.१६
ययौ विमृश्योर्ध्वदिशः पतिर्न
स्वयंवरं वीक्षितधर्मशास्त्रः ।
व्यलोकि लोके श्रुतिषु स्मृतौ वा
समं विवाहः क्व पितामहेन ॥
Summary AI The lord of the upward direction, Brahma, having studied the scriptures, reflected and did not go to the Svayamvara. For where in the world, in the Vedas, or in the Smritis, has a marriage with one's own great-grandfather ever been seen?
१०.१७
भैमीनिरस्तं स्वमवेत्य दूती-
मुखात्किलेन्द्रप्रमुखा दिगीशाः ।
स्यदे मुखेन्दौ च वितत्य मान्द्यं
चित्तस्य ते राजसमाजमीयुः ॥
Summary AI Having learned from the messenger-swan that they had been rejected by Damayanti, those lords of the directions, led by Indra, went to the assembly of kings, the dejection of their minds spreading over their sweat-beaded, moon-like faces.
१०.१८
नलभ्रमेणापि भजेत भैमी
कदाचिदस्मानिति शेषिताशा ।
अभून्महेन्द्रादिचतुष्टयी सा
चतुर्नली काचिदलीकरूपा ॥
Summary AI With the lingering hope that "Perhaps Damayanti might choose one of us by mistake for Nala," that group of four gods, led by Indra, assumed false forms and became a certain group of four Nalas.
१०.२०
पूर्णेन्दुमास्यं विदधुः पुनस्ते
पुनर्मुखीचक्रुरनिद्रमब्जम् ।
स्ववक्त्रमादर्शतलेऽथ दर्शं
दर्शं बभञ्जुर्न तथातिमञ्जु ॥
Summary AI Those kings repeatedly considered their own faces to be the full moon and a blooming lotus to be their face. Then, looking at their own faces again and again in a mirror, they broke the mirrors, finding their reflections not as exceedingly beautiful as they had imagined.
१०.२१
तेषां तदा लब्धुमनीश्वराणां
श्रियं निजास्येन नलाननस्य ।
नालं तरीतुं पुनरुक्तिदोषं
बर्हिर्मुखानामनलाननत्वम् ॥
Summary AI At that time, those kings, unable to attain the beauty of Nala's face with their own, found that their faces, being like fire (Agni), could not overcome the fault of redundancy. This is because Nala's name itself contains 'anala' (not fire), making their fire-like faces a pointless repetition.
१०.२२
प्रियावियोगक्वथितादिवैला-
च्चन्द्राच्च राहुग्रहपीडितात्ते ।
ध्माताद्भवेन स्मरतोऽपि सारैः
स्वं कल्पयन्ति स्म नलानुकल्पम् ॥
Summary AI Those kings, with their best qualities, fashioned themselves as substitutes for Nala, drawing comparisons to Pururavas tormented by separation from his beloved, the moon afflicted by Rahu's eclipse, and even Kamadeva who was incinerated by Shiva.
१०.२३
नलस्य पश्यत्वियदन्तरं
तैर्भैमीति भूपान्विधिराहृतास्यै ।
स्पर्धां दिगीशानपि कारयित्वा
तस्यैव तेभ्यः प्रथिमानमाख्यत् ॥
Summary AI The Creator, by making even the guardians of the directions compete, proclaimed Nala's greatness over them. It was as if he was showing Damayanti, who had been brought to the assembly, the vast difference between Nala and those other kings, saying, "Let Bhaimi see this!"
१०.२४
सभा नलश्रीयमकैर्यमाद्यैः
नलं विनाभूद्धृतदिव्यरत्नैः ।
भामाङ्गणप्राधुणिके चतुर्भि-
र्देवद्रुमैर्द्यौरिव पारिजाते ॥
Summary AI The assembly hall, though filled with Yama and other gods who wore divine jewels and mimicked Nala's splendor, felt empty without the real Nala. It was like heaven, which, despite having its other four divine trees, feels empty when the Parijata tree is away as a guest in Satyabhama's courtyard.
१०.२५
तत्रागमद्वासुकिरीशभूषा
भस्मोपदेहस्फुटगौरदेहः ।
फणीन्द्रवृन्दप्रणिगद्यमान-
प्रसीदजीवाद्यनुजीविवादः ॥
Summary AI To that assembly came Vasuki, who serves as an ornament for Lord Shiva. His body was distinctly white from being smeared with ash, and he was being hailed by his retinue of serpent chiefs with cries of followers such as, "Be pleased, long live our lord!"
१०.२६
द्वीपान्तरेभ्यः पुटभेदनं
तत्क्षणादवापे सुरभूमिभूप्- ।
ऐः तत्कालमालम्बि न केन यूना
स्मरेषुपक्षानिलतूललीला ॥
Summary AI The news of that city (Kundina) was instantly received by the kings of the divine realms and other continents. At that moment, which youth did not feel the restless agitation, like a cotton flake tossed about by the wind from the feathers of Cupid's arrows?
१०.२७
रम्येषु हर्म्येषु निवेशनेन
सपर्यया कुण्डिननाकनाथः ।
प्रियोक्तिदानादरनम्रताद्यै-
रुपाचरच्चारु स राजचक्रम् ॥
Summary AI That lord of Kundina, King Bhima, beautifully attended to the assembly of kings by providing them accommodation in charming mansions, by offering worship, and with pleasant words, gifts, respect, humility, and other such courtesies.
१०.२८
चतुःसमुद्रीपरिखे नृपाणाम्
अन्तः पुरे वासितकीर्तिदारे ।
दानं दया सूनृतमातिथेयी
चतुष्टयी रक्षणसौविदल्ला ॥
Summary AI In the inner quarters of the kings, which were like a fortress moated by the four oceans and where their fame resided like a perfumed wife, a quartet of virtues—charity, compassion, truthful speech, and hospitality—served as the guards for their protection.
१०.२९
अभ्यागतैः कुण्डिनवासवस्य
परोक्षवृत्तेष्वपि तेषु तेषु ।
जिज्ञासितस्वेप्सितलाभलिङ्गं
स्वल्पोऽति नावापि नृपैर्विशेषः ॥
Summary AI The visiting kings found almost no difference between what they desired and what they received from the Indra of Kundina (King Bhima). Even in matters beyond their direct observation, the signs indicating the fulfillment of their wishes, which they sought to know, were readily apparent.
१०.३०
अङ्के विदर्भेन्द्रपुरस्य शङ्के
न संममौ नैष तथा समाजः ।
यथा पयोराशिरगस्त्यहस्ते
यथा जगद्वा जठरे मुरारेः ॥
Summary AI I suspect that this great assembly of kings did not fit within the confines of the capital of Vidarbha's king, just as the ocean did not fit in the palm of sage Agastya, or as the entire universe fit within the stomach of Murari (Vishnu).
१०.३१
पुरे पथि द्वारगृहाणि तत्र
चित्रीकृतान्युत्सववाञ्छयेव ।
नभोऽपि किर्मीरमकारि तेषां
महीभुजामाभरणप्रभाभिः ॥
Summary AI There, in the city, the houses along the gates and paths were decorated as if out of a desire for festivity. The sky itself was made variegated by the splendor of the ornaments worn by those kings.
१०.३२
विलासवैदग्ध्यविभूषणश्री-
स्तेषां यथासीत्परिचारकेऽपि ।
अज्ञासिषुः स्त्रीशिशुबालिशास्तं
यथागतं नायकमेव कंचित् ॥
Summary AI Such was the splendor of grace, skill, and ornamentation of those kings that it was present even in their attendants. Consequently, women, children, and the simple-minded mistook any attendant who happened to pass by for some great hero.
१०.३३
न स्वेदिनश्चामरमारुतैर्न
निमेषनेत्राः प्रतिवस्तुचित्रैः ।
म्लानस्रजो नातपवारणेन
देवा नृदेवा बिभिदुर्न तत्र ॥
Summary AI There, the gods were not sweating due to the fanning, their eyes were not blinking at the astonishing sights, and their garlands were not withered due to the parasols. Because these divine signs were concealed by royal comforts, the gods and the god-like kings could not be distinguished from one another.
१०.३४
अन्योन्यभाषानवबोधभीतेः
संस्कृत्रिमाभिर्व्यवहारवत्सु ।
दिग्भ्यः समेतेषु नृपेषु तेषु
सौवर्गवर्गो न जनैरचिह्नि ॥
Summary AI Among those kings gathered from various directions, who all communicated using the refined language of Sanskrit out of fear of not understanding each other's native tongues, the group of celestial beings (the gods) could not be identified by the common people.
१०.३५
ते तत्र भैम्याश्चरितानि चित्रे
चित्राणि पौरैः पुरि लेखितानि ।
निरीक्ष्य निन्युर्दिवसं निशां च
तत्स्वप्नसंभोगकलाविलासैः ॥
Summary AI Those kings spent their days there looking at the wonderful stories of Damayanti, which had been depicted in paintings by the citizens throughout the city. They spent their nights experiencing the pleasures of the artistic union with her in their dreams.
१०.३७
वैदर्भदूतानुनयोपहूतैः
शृङ्गारभङ्गीरनुभावयद्भिः ।
स्वयंवरस्थानजनाश्रयस्तै-
र्दिने परत्रालमकारि वीरैः ॥
Summary AI On the next day, the Svayamvara hall, filled with people, was beautifully decorated by those heroes. They had been invited with the humble requests of Vidarbha's messengers and were now displaying various graceful expressions of love.
१०.३८
भूषाभिरुच्चैरपि संस्कृते यं
वीक्ष्याकृत प्राकृतबुद्धिमेव ।
प्रसूनबाणे विबुधाधिनाथ-
स्तेनाथ साऽशोभि सभा नलेन ॥
Summary AI Then, the lord of the gods (Indra), upon seeing Nala, considered even the flower-arrowed one (Kamadeva) as ordinary, though Kamadeva was adorned with lofty ornaments. By that very Nala, the entire assembly was made beautiful.
१०.४२
आद्यं विधोर्जन्म स एष भूमौ
द्वैतं युवासौ रतिवल्लभस्य ।
नासत्ययोर्मूर्तितृतीयताय-
मिति स्तुतस्तैः कृतमत्सरैः सः ॥
Summary AI He was praised (sarcastically) by those envious kings thus: "This is the first birth of the moon on earth. This youth is the second form of Kamadeva, the beloved of Rati. He is the third embodiment of the two Ashvins."
१०.४३
मायानलोदाहरणान्मिथस्तै-
रूचे समाः सन्त्यमुना कियन्तः ।
आत्मापकर्षे सति मत्सराणां
द्विषः परस्पर्धनया समाधिः ॥
Summary AI They said among themselves, "How many are there equal to him, citing the examples of illusory Nalas?" When their own excellence is diminished, the envious find solace by imagining rivals for their enemy.
१०.४४
गुणेन केनापि जनेऽनवद्ये
दोषान्तरोक्तिः खलु तत्खलत्वम् ।
रूपेण तत्संसददूषितस्य
सुरैर्नरत्वं यददूषि तस्य ॥
Summary AI To attribute a different fault to a blameless person due to some virtue is indeed wickedness. Such was the wickedness of the gods who, unable to find fault with his beauty in that assembly, criticized his mortality.
१०.४५
नलानसत्यानवदत्स सत्यः
कृतोपवेशान्सविधे सुवेषान् ।
नोभाविलाभूः किमु दर्पकश्च
भवन्ति नासत्ययुतौ भवन्तः ॥
Summary AI The real Nala spoke to the false Nalas, who were well-dressed and seated nearby, with clever wordplay: "Are you not earth-born? Are you not proud? Are you not accompanied by untruth?" (This simultaneously questions their divine identities as Indra, Agni, Yama, and Varuna).
१०.४६
अमी तमीदृग्जगुरत्र मध्ये
कस्यापि नोत्पत्तिरभूदिलायाम् ।
अदर्पकाः स्मः सविधे स्थितास्ते
नासत्यतां नात्र बिभर्ति कश्चित् ॥
Summary AI They replied to him thus, continuing the wordplay: "Among us here, no one was born on earth (Ila). We who are standing near you are without pride (we are not Kamadeva). Here, no one bears untruth (we are the truthful Ashvins)."
१०.४९
सा वागवाज्ञायितमां नलेन
तेषामनाशङ्कितवाक्छलेन ।
स्त्रीरत्नलाभोचितयत्नमग्न-
मेनं हि न स्म प्रतिभाति किंचित् ॥
Summary AI Nala, who did not suspect any verbal trickery from them, completely disregarded their speech. Indeed, nothing occurred to him, as he was engrossed in efforts befitting the acquisition of that jewel of a woman.
॥ इति दशमः सर्गः ॥

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