Sudeva Reveals His Identity to Damayanti
Sudeva approaches Damayanti and tells her who he is — her brother's friend, sent by King Bhima. He tells her that her family is alive and well. Damayanti recognizes him and weeps, asking about everyone she loves. But their conversation is seen, and the king's mother comes to demand the truth.
The brahmana Sudeva approached Bhima's daughter and spoke.
"O Vidarbha's daughter! I am Sudeva. I am your brother's beloved friend. I have come here on the instructions of King Bhima. I have come here looking for you. O queen! Your father is well and so are your mother and brothers. Your son and daughter, who will have long lives, are well. But because of you, though they are alive, the large numbers of your relatives seem to be bereft of their senses."
Damayanti recognized Sudeva. One after another, she asked him about all her well-wishers. On suddenly seeing Sudeva — the best of brahmanas, her brother's friend — Vidarbha's daughter was overcome by grief and wept piteously.
Sunanda saw her weeping there, overcome by grief, conversing alone with Sudeva. She sent a message to her mother: "Sairandhri is weeping piteously, ever since she met a brahmana. If you think fit, find out the reason."
The mother of the king of Chedi left the king's inner quarters and went to where the lady was meeting the brahmana. She summoned Sudeva and asked him directly.
"Whose wife is this beautiful one and whose daughter? How has the one with the beautiful eyes been separated from her relatives and her husband? O brahmana! Do you know how she has come to this state? I wish to hear everything from you in complete detail. I am asking about the lady whose form is like that of a goddess. Tell me everything truthfully."
Sudeva, supreme among brahmanas, sat down in comfort and recounted the true story about Damayanti. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 362