Came the day of happy omen[42]--moonday meet, and moment apt; Bhima to the Swayembara--summoned all the lords of earth. One and all, upon the instant--rose th' enamoured lords of earth, Suitors all to Damayanti--in their loving haste they came. They, the court with golden columns[43]--rich, and glittering portal arch, Like the lions on the mountains--entered they the hall of state. There the lords of earth were seated--each upon his several throne; All their fragrant garlands wearing--all with pendant ear-gems rich. Arms were seen robust and vigorous--as the ponderous battle mace, Some like the five-headed serpents--delicate in shape and hue:[44] With bright locks profuse and flowing--fine formed nose, and eye and brow, Shone the faces of the rajas--like the radiant stars in heaven. As with serpents, Bhogavati[45]--the wide hall was full of kings; As the mountain caves with tigers--with the tiger-warriors full. Damayanti in her beauty--entered on that stately scene, With her dazzling light entrancing--every eye and every soul. O'er her lovely person gliding--all the eyes of those proud kings; There were fixed, there moveless rested--as they gazed upon the maid. Then as they proclaimed the rajas--(by his name was each proclaimed) In dismay saw Bhima's daughter--five in garb, in form the same. On those forms, all undistinguished--each from each, she stood and gazed. In her doubt Vidarbha's princess--Nala's form might not discern,[46] Whichsoe'er the form she gazed on--him her Nala, him she thought. She within her secret spirit--deeply pondering, stood and thought: "How shall I the gods distinguish?--royal Nala how discern?" Pondering thus Vidarbha's maiden--in the anguish of her heart-- Th' attributes of the immortals--sought, as heard of yore, to see. "Th' attributes of each celestial--that our aged sires describe, As on earth they stand before me--not of one may I discern." Long she pondered in her silence--and again, again she thought. To the gods, her only refuge--turned she at this trying hour. With her voice and with her spirit--she her humble homage paid. Folding both her hands and trembling--to the gods the maiden spake: "As when heard the swan's sweet language--chose I then Nishadha's king, By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye gods, reveal my lord; As in word or thought I swerve not--from my faith, all-knowing powers, By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye gods, reveal my lord. As the gods themselves have destined--for my lord Nishadha's king; By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye gods, my lord reveal. As my vow, so pledged to Nala--holily must be maintained, By this truth I here adjure ye--oh, ye gods, my lord reveal. Each the form divine assume ye--earth's protectors, mighty lords; So shall I discern my Nala--I shall know the king of men."