The Swan Song

Trial Of the Champions

Earth's most beautiful woman had surrendered her i

Her maidens and friends grew increasingly worried and felt helpless, unable to bear witness to their princess's suffering. The news of Damayanti's distress eventually reached the royal corridors of her father, the aging Southern King. Consumed by concern for his beloved daughter, the king sought advice from his counsel, ministers, sages, and saints.

"My dear girl will soon come of age, yet her distress lingers. What can bring her solace?" – the noble king inquired, his heart weighed down by worry.

After careful deliberation, the wise counsel presented a solution born out of their understanding of Damayanti's longings. "Your daughter is a paragon of virtue, and she yearns for a worthy companion, her true king. She’s a girl and would be a Woman soon. We suggest hosting a Swayamvara⁴ , a grand tournament where eligible kings from all corners of the earth will compete for the highest reward this universe could offer – Damyanti’s companionship. Princess Damayanti will be the supreme judge of her suitors, and it will be only her decision to choose her champion. She will decide the feats and she will set up the charts. The Princess shall become Queen to the only King that she desires" they proposed, their voices brimming with confidence.

4 – Swayamvara is the type of marriage where a woman presents the suitors with challenging tasks and chooses the champion of the trial as her husband

The king's face lit up with hope and delight as he wholeheartedly embraced the idea. A beautiful glow of fatherly love for his beloved daughter sparkled from his optimistic eyes. He summoned his ambassadors and envoys, entrusting them with the crucial task of delivering individual invitations to the lords and kings in all ten directions, cordially inviting them to participate in the grand Swayamvara.

A spectacle unfolds, behold the invitation,

To a grand tournament, where hearts seek elevation.

In this cosmic theater, all are cordially invited,

For the highest reward, to the only champion.

The princess Damayanti, a vision of beauty unmatched,

Shall grace the arena, where destinies are dispatched.

Amidst the valiant and bold, she shall find,

Her champion, a king, in whom her love is enshrined.

Come forth, noble souls, with courage and might,

Gather beneath the moon's enchanting light.

For in this grand affair, fate's hand shall sway,

As hearts entwine in love's mystical ballet.

Esteemed guests, prepare for this grand display,

Where love's power shall guide each warrior's way.

In this tournament, hearts shall be tested true,

And the chosen King, by Queen Damayanti, shall be true.

Soon as the invitations began being read out in the royal courts across the vast lands, swords and arrows found solace, as battles gave way to a greater quest. The barracks became deserted and some were turning into theaters of art and music. The kings, adorned in regal attire, prepared for a grand trial of love, where riches and treasures awaited those worthy. Each ruler, in haste, readied their caravans, laden with opulence and their hearts with a supreme desire. A queue formed, leading to the majestic walls where the princess eagerly awaited her most eligible suitor.

Love-struck and elated, Nal embraced the invitation for the Swayamvara. No carts filled with gold or gems accompanied him, for the priceless treasure within his heart surpassed all earthly riches. Like a radiant star, his love illuminated the fateful morning as he embarked gallantly towards the realm of the southern king. With each stride of his trusty steed, Nal drew nearer to the gates of his destined encounter, where his fateful union awaits.

Meanwhile, in the realms beyond mortal men and materials, a messenger proclaimed the news with resounding voice to his audience of 4 celestial lords:

“There’s Peace on Earth!

They’ve given up their swords

Quarrels don’t matter much

When that Lady is looking for her Lord.

The mighty Kings assemble with their great armies

Not of swords and lances but of tributes and wits

lined outside her palace, their egos ceased

to fight a battle, to win the highest reward there is

In this battle,

There is no death and destruction

There’s Peace on Earth

Damayanti is the reason”

Amidst the celestial planes, Lord Indra, the king among gods, brandishing thunderstorms and a playful reputation⁵ , deployed his omnipotence to steal a glimpse of this enigmatic princess. Just by the message that was relayed, the 4 Celestial Lords were enamoured and after a short glimpse at her sight, they were lovestruck and held a very strong desire. Their minds aflame with attraction and curiosity, they indulged themselves in the admiration of the beautiful princess. The quartet soon decided to descended from the heavens, and mingle among mortals, eager to compete for the reward so exquisite and opulent, even for their kind. Arriving at the crossroads, the final turn before the gates of their destiny, the four prepared for the grand event.

5 – Implying from several tales of Indra from Mahabharat

Meanwhile, bathed in the resplendent hues of the bright morning sun, Nal approached the same crossroads. In the distance, a shimmer of golden light caught his attention, captivating his weary gaze. Guided by curiosity, he ventured closer, drawn to the radiant source. As he neared, four ethereal silhouettes materialized from the luminous brilliance. Recognizing their distinctive features, the prince humbly bowed, his hands folded in reverence, and greeted the familiar beings with his honest and heartfelt words,

"I stand before you as your devoted servant. How may I serve you?

Your presence evokes a sense of divinity.

There is an aura of mystique surrounding you, an energy unlike any other.

Your feet seem to transcend earthly bounds, as if floating above the ground.

Your attire exudes a celestial essence, as if woven from the fabric of the heavens.

Your complexion remains immaculate, untouched by any blemish or flaw.

And atop your heads, radiant crowns of golden luminescence adorn you.

Please tell me, who are you? Are you the Guardians of Life,

Or perhaps the kings of the legends lost in the tapestry of time?"

Nal inquired with humble devotion. Pleased by the prince's eulogy, the higher beings introduced themselves briefly, saying,

"We are the Four lords. The Paradise is our abode.

We caught a glimpse of the princess.

Since that moment itself, she has won us over

We have surrendered to her.

And descended to the earth.

We shall challenge every king and every lord

to win the heart of the only woman we desire.

I am Indra, the ruler of the Paradise,

and these are my friends preside over the realms of

Fire, Wind and Life .

Be our messenger; be our voice.

Send our words of love to the Queen of our hearts

Tell her she may happily choose any one of us four.

We all desire only her.

She can test us as she pleases.

No mortal could match our feats."

As Indra's words reverberated through the air, Nal’s spirit shattered like a delicate glass vase being crushed by a Himalayan peak, each shard piercing through the next. His very essence fragmented into i

"I beg you as your devotee,

spare me from this torment,

this incomprehensible transgression.

My heart belongs solely to Damayanti;

In my thoughts, I have wed only her.

My love is untainted, as you surely comprehend.

I beg you as your devotee,

spare me from this torment,

do not compel me to betray my unwavering devotion

My heart belongs solely to Damayanti"

Yet, amidst his words, he recognized the undeniable truth, for honesty had always guided his righteous existence, flowing through him like the currents of a steadfast river. In the face of righteousness, the power of love dimmed. Nal was reminded of the first words he had spoken to the four celestial lords. "I stand before you as your devoted servant. How may I serve you?”. Truth, his mightiest sword along the path of righteousness, prevailed in every word that he spoke. He took a few moments to gather his wits and senses. Though his mind remained numb and his vision obscured, he humbly accepted to the divine decree.

"But how may I deliver your message amidst the watchful gaze of men and the keen senses of the creatures guarding the queen?" – inquired Nal, standing before the towering divine lords. No sooner had the words escaped the lips of the desolate lover than Lord Indra produced a crystal vial containing a shimmering silver elixir.

"You are blessed with our divine favor. Consume this potion, and you shall remain unseen until you desire to be seen" – he proclaimed, extending the boon to the shattered prince, who wept inconsolably not in his tears but in the shreds of his i

As he approached Damayanti’s palace, he gulped the potion and within moments could see his shadow disappear. The light seemingly passed through his body as he could see the grass beneath through his stretched-out palm. He stealthily entered the palace u

Like a radiant pearl resting upon a vibrant seabed, amidst enchanting ferns and mythical mermaids, Damayanti occupied a seat meticulously carved from a single teak tree. Draped in a celestial green garment that cascaded gracefully along her slender form, she emanated a serenity that would make the seas envious and a charm that would bring delight to Mother Nature herself.