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॥ अथ एकविंशः सर्गः ॥
२१.१
तं विदर्भरमणीमणिसौधा-
दुज्जिहानमनुदर्शितसेवैः ।
अर्पणान्निजकरस्य नरेन्द्रै-
रात्मनः करदता पुनरूचे ॥
Summary AI As he was departing from the jewel-palace of the beautiful woman of Vidarbha (Damayanti), the kings, who had shown their service, expressed their status as tribute-payers once again by the offering of their own hands (in support).
२१.२
तस्य चीनसिचयैरपि बद्धा
पद्धतिः पदयुगात्कठिनेति ।
तां प्यधत्त शिरसां खलु माल्यै-
राजराजिरभितः प्रणमन्ती ॥
Summary AI Thinking that the path, even though covered with Chinese silks, was too hard for his pair of feet, the assembly of kings, bowing all around, indeed covered it with the garlands from their heads.
२१.३
द्रागुपाह्रियत तस्य नृपैत-
द्दृष्टिदानबहुमानकृतार्थैः ।
स्वस्य दिश्यमथ रत्नमपूर्वं
यत्नकल्पितगुणाधिकचित्रम् ॥
Summary AI Then, by the kings who felt their purpose fulfilled by the great honor of his glance, an unprecedented jewel from their own region, whose superior qualities and wonder were fashioned with great effort, was quickly offered to him.
२१.४
अङ्गुलीचलनलोचनभङ्गि-
भ्रूतरङ्गविनिवेदितदानम् ।
रत्नमन्यनृपढौकितमन्ये
तत्प्रसादमलभन्त नृपास्तत् ॥
Summary AI Other kings received, as his favor, that jewel which was presented by another king, the giving of which (to them) was indicated by a movement of his finger, a glance of his eye, and a wave of his eyebrow.
२१.५
तानसौ कुशलसूनृतसेकै-
स्तर्पितानथ पितेव विसृज्य ।
अस्त्रशस्त्रखुरलीषु विनिन्ये
शैष्यकोपनमितानमितौजाः ॥
Summary AI Then he, of unbent prowess, having satisfied those kings with sprinklings of pleasant and true words about their welfare, and having dismissed them like a father, spent his time in the practice grounds for missiles and weapons, assuming the role of a student.
२१.६
मर्त्यदुष्प्रचरमस्त्रविचारं
चारुशिष्यजनतामनुशिष्य ।
स्वेदबिन्दुकितगोधिरधीरं
स श्वसन्नभवदाप्लवनेच्छुः ॥
Summary AI Having taught the science of missiles, which is difficult for mortals to practice, to his group of excellent disciples, he, breathing heavily and steadily with his leather arm-guard marked with drops of sweat, became desirous of bathing.
२१.११
मुक्तमाप्य दमनस्य भगिन्या
भूमिरात्मदयितं धृतरागा ।
अङ्गमङ्गमनुकं परिरेभे
तं मृदो जलमृदूर्गृहयालुम् ॥
Summary AI The earth, filled with love, having obtained her own beloved (Nala) who was released by Damayanti (sister of Damana), lovingly embraced him limb by limb, as he, soft from the water, was about to take the ceremonial clays for his bath.
२१.१२
मूलमध्यशिखरस्थितवेधः-
शौरिशंभुकरकाङ्घ्रिशिरःस्थैः ।
तस्य मूर्ध्नि चकरे शुचि दर्भै-
र्वारि वान्तमिव गाङ्गतरङ्गैः ॥
Summary AI He (an attendant) sprinkled pure water on Nala's head with blades of Darbha grass. This water seemed as if it were emitted by the waves of the Ganga, which are respectively situated in the water-pot of Brahma (at the root), the feet of Vishnu (in the middle), and the head of Shiva (at the peak of the cosmos).
२१.१३
प्राणमायतवतो जलमध्ये
मञ्जिमानमभजन्मुखमस्य ।
आपगापरिवृढोदरपूरे
पूर्वकालमुषितस्य सितांशोः ॥
Summary AI While Nala was in the water controlling his breath for religious rites, his face acquired the beauty of the moon, which had once dwelt in the vast expanse of the ocean's waters during a former age (referring to the churning of the ocean).
२१.१४
मर्त्यलोकमदनः सदशत्वं
बिभ्रदभ्रविशदद्युतितारम् ।
अम्बरं परिदधे विधुमौलेः
स्पर्धयेव दशदिग्वसनस्य ॥
Summary AI Nala, the god of love in the mortal world, put on a garment that had a fringe and a star-like design of cloud-like clear lustre. He wore it as if in rivalry with the moon-crested Shiva, who is famously clad only in the ten directions (i.e., is naked).
२१.१५
भीमजामनु चलत्प्रतिवेलं
संयियंसुरिव राजऋषीन्द्रः ।
आववार हृदयं न समन्ता-
दुत्तरीयपरिवेषमिषेण ॥
Summary AI The great royal sage Nala, on the pretext of arranging his upper garment around himself, seemed as if trying to restrain his heart, which was constantly running towards Damayanti. However, he did not (or could not) actually cover his heart, which had already gone to her.
२१.१६
स्नानवारिघटराजदुरोजा
गौरमृत्तिलकबिन्दुमुखेन्दुः ।
केशशेषजलमौक्तिकदन्ता
तं बभाज सुभगाप्लवनश्रीः ॥
Summary AI The very beauty of a blessed bath, personified, attended upon Nala. This beauty had breasts shining like pots of bathing water, a moon-like face adorned with a tilaka-dot of white clay, and teeth resembling the pearl-like water drops lingering in her hair.
२१.१७
श्वैत्यशैत्यजलदैवतमन्त्र-
स्वादुताप्रमुदितां चतुरक्षीम् ।
वीक्ष्य मोघधृतसौरभलोभं
घ्राणमस्य सलिलघ्रमिवासीत् ॥
Summary AI Upon seeing Damayanti, who was delighted by the sweetness of the mantras for the water deities of whiteness and coolness, Nala's sense of smell became as if it could only perceive water. Its desire for any other fragrance was rendered futile by her presence.
२१.१८
राज्ञि भानुमदुपस्थितयेऽस्मि-
न्नात्तमम्बु किरति स्वकरेण ।
भ्रान्तयः स्फुरति तेजसि चक्रु-
स्त्वष्टृतर्कुचलदर्कवितर्कम् ॥
Summary AI As King Nala took water in his hand and offered it in worship to the sun, the whirling drops of water, flashing in his own brilliance, created for the onlookers the illusion of the sun itself revolving on the lathe of the divine craftsman Tvashtri.
२१.१९
सम्यगस्य जपतः श्रुतिमन्त्राः
संनिधानमभजन्त कराब्जे ।
शुद्धबीजविशदस्फुटवर्णाः
स्फाटिकाक्षवलयच्छलभाजः ॥
Summary AI As Nala properly chanted, the Vedic mantras themselves, whose syllables were pure, clear, and distinct like seeds, seemed to manifest physically in his lotus-like hand, taking the guise of a rosary made of crystal beads.
२१.२०
पाणिपर्वणि यवः पुनराख्य-
द्देवतर्पणयवार्पणमस्य ।
न्युप्यमानजलयोगितिलौघैः
स द्विरुक्तकरकालतिलोऽभूत् ॥
Summary AI The auspicious barley-shaped line on his hand's joint seemed to re-announce his offering of barley for the gods. Then, as he offered water with sesame seeds for the ancestors, the seeds sticking to his hand made it seem as if the natural black moles on his hand had been duplicated.
२१.२१
पूतपाणिचरणः शुचिनोच्चै-
रध्वनानितरपादहतेन ।
ब्रह्मचारिपरिचारि सुरार्चा
वेश्म राजऋषिरेष विवेश ॥
Summary AI This royal sage, Nala, having purified his hands and feet, entered the divine worship hall, which was served by celibate attendants. He did so by taking a high and pure path that was not trodden by the feet of others.
२१.२२
क्वापि यन्नभसि धूपजधूमै-
र्मेचकागुरुभवैर्भ्रमराणाम् ।
भूयते स्म सुमनःसुमनःस्र-
ग्दामधामपटले पटलेन ॥
Summary AI In the upper space of that worship hall, amidst the splendid collection of flower garlands offered to the gods, the smoke rising from dark aloe-wood incense was so dense that it appeared to be a swarm of bees.
२१.२३
साङ्कुरेव रुचिपीततमा
यैर्यैः पुरास्ति रजनी रजनीव ।
ते धृता वितरितुं त्रिदशेभ्यो
यत्र हेमतिलका इव दीपाः ॥
Summary AI There, lamps were placed that looked like golden forehead marks being offered to the gods. By their lustre, the darkness was so completely consumed that the night was no longer its former self, but seemed to be sprouting anew with light.
२१.२४
यत्र मौक्तिकमणेर्विरहेण
प्रीतिकामधृतवह्निपदेन ।
कङ्कुमेन परिपूरितमन्तः
शुक्तयः शुशुभिरेऽनुभवन्त्यः ॥
Summary AI There, oyster shells shone beautifully. Their insides, filled with red saffron powder, seemed to be experiencing separation from their pearls; the saffron took the place of the fire of love-longing that they held within.
२१.२५
अङ्कचुम्बिधनचन्दनपङ्कं
यत्र गारुडशिलाजममत्रम् ।
प्राप केलिकवलीभवदिन्दोः
सिंहिकासुतमुखस्य सुखानि ॥
Summary AI There, an emerald vessel smeared with thick, white sandalwood paste attained the pleasures of the mouth of Rahu. The green vessel was likened to Rahu's mouth, and the white sandalwood paste to the moon being playfully swallowed during an eclipse.
२१.२६
गर्भमैणमदकर्दमसान्द्रं
भाजनानि रजतस्य भजन्ति ।
यत्र साम्यमगमन्नमृतांशो-
रङ्करङ्कुकलुषीकृतकुक्षेः ॥
Summary AI There, silver vessels, their interiors filled with a thick, dark paste of deer musk, attained a resemblance to the moon, whose white surface (belly) is famously stained by the dark mark of a deer.
२१.२७
उज्जिहानसुकृताङ्कुरशङ्का
यत्र धर्मगहने खलु तेने ।
भूरिशर्करकरम्भबलीना-
मालिभिः सुगतसौधसखानाम् ॥
Summary AI Indeed, in that sacred place, the rows of offerings mixed with abundant white sugar, resembling the white stupas of the Buddhists, created the impression that they were the very sprouts of meritorious deeds, now visibly growing.
२१.२८
खर्वमाख्यदमरौघनिवासं
पर्वतं क्वचन चम्पकसंपत् ।
मल्लिकाकुसुमराशिरकाऋ-
षीद्यत्र च स्फटिकसानुमनुच्चम् ॥
Summary AI There, in one place, a great pile of golden Champaka flowers made Mount Meru, the golden abode of the gods, seem small by comparison. And elsewhere, a heap of white jasmine flowers created the appearance of a small crystal mountain peak.
२१.२९
स्वात्मनः प्रियमपि प्रति गुप्तिं
कुर्वती कुलवधूमवजज्ञौ ।
हृद्यदैवतनिवेद्यनिवेशा-
द्यत्र भूमिरवकाशदरिद्रा ॥
Summary AI There, the floor, so lacking in empty space due to the vast placement of pleasing offerings for the gods, surpassed even a noble lady in the art of concealment. A noble lady conceals her beloved from others, but this floor, by having no empty space, concealed itself even more thoroughly.
२१.३०
यत्र कान्तकरपीडितनील-
ग्रावरश्मिचिकुरासु विरेजुः ।
गातृमूर्धविधुतेरनुबिम्बा-
त्कुट्टिमक्षितिषु कुट्टिमितानि ॥
Summary AI On the jeweled pavements, whose 'hair' was the rays of sapphires that seemed 'pressed' by lovely sunbeams, the reflections of the singers' heads, shaking as they sang, appeared like coquettish gestures, shining beautifully.
२१.३१
नैकवर्णमणिभूषणपूर्णे
स क्षितीन्दुरनवद्यनिवेद्ये ।
अध्यतिष्ठदमलं मणिपीठं
तत्र चित्रसिचयोच्चयचारौ ॥
Summary AI There, Nala, the moon on earth, sat upon a spotless, jeweled seat. This beautiful seat was adorned with a collection of colorful fabrics, filled with ornaments of multi-colored gems, and surrounded by faultless offerings.
२१.३२
सम्यगर्चति नलेऽर्कमतूर्णं
भक्तिगन्धिरमुनाकलि कर्णः ।
श्रद्दधानहृदयप्रति चातः
साम्बमम्बरमणिर्निरचैषीत् ॥
Summary AI While Nala was properly and unhurriedly worshipping the sun, his ear, fragrant with devotion, was perceived by him. Therefore, the jewel of the sky (the Sun), in response to his faithful heart, created a vision of Shiva accompanied by Amba (Samba).
२१.३४
हेमनामकतरुप्रसवेन
त्र्यम्बकस्तदुपकल्पितपूजः ।
आत्तया युधि विजित्य रतीशं
राजितः कुसुमकाहलयेव ॥
Summary AI Shiva, for whom Nala had arranged the worship with flowers of the Nagakesara tree, shone brightly, as if holding a flower-trumpet of victory after conquering Kamadeva, the lord of Rati, in battle.
२१.३६
नीलनीररुहमाल्यमयीं स
न्यस्य तस्य गलनालविभूषाम् ।
स्फाटिकीमपि तनुं निरमासी-
न्नीलकण्ठपदसान्वयतायै ॥
Summary AI He (Nala), by placing a garland of blue lotuses as an ornament on Shiva's stalk-like neck, made even his crystal-white body appear dark, thus giving meaning to the name 'Nilakantha' (the blue-throated one).
२१.३७
प्रीतिमेष्यति कृतेन ममेदृ-
क्कर्मणा पुररिपुर्मदनारिः ।
तत्पुरः पुरमतोयमधाक्षी-
द्धूपरूपमथ कामशरं च ॥
Summary AI Thinking, "The enemy of the Puras and foe of Madana (Shiva) will be pleased by such an act of mine," Nala then symbolically burnt before him the three cities (Tripura) in the form of incense, and also Kama's arrow.
२१.३८
तन्मुहूर्तमपि भीमतनूजा-
विप्रयोगमसहिष्णुरिवायम् ।
शूलिमौलिशशिभीततयाऽभू-
द्ध्यानमूर्च्छननिमीलितनेत्रः ॥
Summary AI As if unable to bear separation from Damayanti even for that moment, Nala closed his eyes in a deep meditative swoon, the poet suggesting it was out of fear of the moon on Shiva's head, a rival to his beloved's face.
२१.३९
दण्डवद्भुवि लुठन्स ननाम
त्र्यम्बकं शरणभागिव कामः ।
आत्मशस्त्रविशिखासनबाणा-
न्न्यस्य तत्पदयुगे कुसुमानि ॥
Summary AI Placing flowers at Shiva's feet, which were like his own weapons—the bow and arrows—he (Nala) prostrated himself, rolling on the ground like a staff, just as Kama would do when seeking refuge from Shiva.
२१.४१
व्यापृतस्य शतरुद्रियजप्तौ
पाणिमस्य नवपल्लवलीलम् ।
भृङ्गभङ्गिरिव रुद्रपराक्ष-
श्रेणिरश्रयत रुद्रपरस्य ॥
Summary AI While he, devoted to Rudra, was engaged in chanting the Shatarudriya hymn, the string of Rudraksha beads rested on his hand, which was as graceful as a fresh sprout, appearing like a line of bees.
२१.४२
उत्तमं स महति स्म महीभृ-
त्पूरुषं पुरुषसूक्तविधानैः ।
द्वादशापि च स केशवमूर्ती-
र्द्वादशाक्षरमुदीर्य ववन्दे ॥
Summary AI That king (Nala) worshipped the Supreme Person with the rites prescribed in the Purusha Sukta. Furthermore, uttering the twelve-syllabled mantra ('Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya'), he also paid homage to the twelve forms of Keshava (Vishnu).
२१.४३
मल्लिकाकुसुमदुण्डुभकेन
स भ्रमीवलयितेन कृते तम् ।
आसने निहितमैक्षत साक्षा-
त्कुण्डलीन्द्रतनुकुण्डलभाजम् ॥
Summary AI Nala then saw Vishnu, seated on a throne made from a coiled garland of Mallika flowers that resembled a serpent. In this form, Vishnu appeared as if he were literally wearing the king of serpents, Shesha, as both his body and his earrings.
२१.४४
मेचकोत्पलमयी बलिबन्द्धु-
स्तद्वलिस्रगुरसि स्फुरति स्म ।
कौस्तुभाख्यमणिकुट्टिमवास्तु-
श्रीकटाक्षविकटायितकोटिः ॥
Summary AI On the chest of Vishnu, the friend of Bali, shone the offering-garland made of dark blue lotuses. Its edges appeared wide, as if they were the expansive side-glances of the goddess Shri, who resides on the jeweled floor of the Kaustubha gem.
२१.४५
स्वर्णकेतकशतानि स हेम्नः
पुण्डरीकघटनां रजतस्य ।
मालयारुणमणेः करवीरं
तस्य मूर्ध्नि पुनरुक्तमकार्षीत् ॥
Summary AI He (Nala) made gold redundant by placing hundreds of golden Ketaka flowers on Vishnu's head; he made silver redundant with an arrangement of white lotuses; and he made rubies redundant with a Karavira flower accompanied by a garland of red gems.
२१.४६
नाल्पभक्तबलिरन्ननिवेद्यै-
स्तस्य हारिणमदेन स कृष्णः ।
शङ्खचक्रजलजातवदर्चः
शङ्खचक्रजलपूजनयाभूत् ॥
Summary AI With offerings of food and fragrant camphor, that Krishna (Vishnu) was certainly not one to receive a meager offering from his devotee. His worship, performed with a conch, a discus-like lamp, and water, became itself like Vishnu's attributes: the conch, discus, and lotus.
२१.४७
राज्ञि कृष्णलघुधूपनधूमाः
पूजयत्यहिरिपुध्वजमस्मिन्
निर्ययुर्भवधृता भुजगा
भीदुर्यशोमलिनिता इव जाल्-
ऐः
Summary AI While this king was worshipping Vishnu, who has Garuda (the enemy of serpents) on his banner, streams of smoke from black aloe-wood incense escaped through the lattice windows. They looked like the snakes worn by Shiva, now blackened by the infamy of their fear of Garuda, fleeing the scene.
२१.४८
अर्घनिःस्वमणिमाल्यविमिश्रैः
स्मेरजातिमयदामसहस्रैः ।
तं पिधाय विदधे बहुरत्न-
क्षीरनीरनिधिमग्नमिवैषः ॥
Summary AI This Nala covered Vishnu with thousands of garlands of blooming jasmine, interspersed with priceless gem necklaces. By doing so, he made Vishnu appear as if he were submerged in the Ocean of Milk, which is itself filled with countless jewels.
२१.४९
अक्षसूत्रगतपुष्करबीज-
श्रेणिरस्य करसंकरमेत्य ।
शौरिमुक्तजपितुः पुनराप-
त्पद्मसद्मचिरवासविलासम् ॥
Summary AI Coming into contact with the hand of Nala, who had just finished his prayers to Vishnu (Shauri), the string of lotus seeds on his rosary seemed to regain the splendor of its original, long-time home—the lotus flower itself.
२१.५०
कैटभारिपदयोर्नितमूर्ध्ना
सञ्जिता विचकिलस्रगनेन ।
जह्नुजेव भुवनप्रभुणाऽभा-
त्सेवितानुनयतायतमाना ॥
Summary AI The jasmine garland, placed by Nala with a bowed head at the feet of Vishnu (the enemy of Kaitabha), shone like the river Ganga. Just as the Ganga stretches out in appeasement when received by Shiva, the lord of the world, so too did the garland appear at Vishnu's feet.
॥ इति एकविंशः सर्गः ॥

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A profound philosophical dialogue between the warrior Arjuna and his charioteer, Lord Kṛṣṇa, on the battlefield about duty and devotion
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A Mahākāvya chronicling the illustrious lineage of the Raghu dynasty, detailing the lives, virtues, and exploits of kings such as Dilīpa, Raghu, Aja, and Rāma
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