Damayanti Pines for Nala and Swayamvara is Called

The swan had spoken to Damayanti in the forest, describing Nala of Nishadha — his beauty, his virtue, his mastery of horses, his truthfulness. The swan had promised to make Nala love her too. And then it had flown away. Damayanti no longer had control over herself. She became dejected, pale of complexion, thin. She sighed deeply, constantly. She would cast her glance up at the sky and look like someone demented. She found no pleasure in her bed, in her seats, in any enjoyment. She did not rest during the day or the night. She wept. Her friends watched her. They saw her form wasting away. They recognized the signs — they knew she was ill with love. They went to King Bhima of Vidarbha, Damayanti's father, and told him everything. Bhima listened. He thought about the great task he would have to perform for his daughter's sake. He reflected and decided: his daughter had attained maturity. The time had come. His task was to organize a svayamvara — the ancient ceremony in which a princess chooses her own husband from among the assembled kings. He sent out invitations to every brave lord of the earth. The news spread. All the kings began to travel toward Vidarbha. The earth filled with the roar of elephants, horses, and chariots. The great-souled kings could be seen with their decorated armies, bedecked in colourful garlands and ornaments. They came because they had heard of Damayanti — that in her beauty, she surpassed all the women on earth — and every one of them craved this jewel of the world.