"White Nala and Damyanti - 1 Once a Brahmin came to meet King Nala. "Tell me, what is it that you want, dear brahmin?" King Nala asked. "Sire, you are unmarried and need a bride. I have a suggestion to make." Nala listened with great interest as the Brahmin informed him about a beautiful princess called Damyanti, who was eligible for marriage. Her beauty surpasses all imagination! Her poise and bearing is stamped with royalty. As the Brahmin went on, Nala was smitten. He restless waited for Damyanti's father to announce a swayamvara for his daughter. Swayamvara was an ancient tradition where a girl had the right to choose her husband from a group of suitors asking for her hand in marriage! So, Nala waited patiently for a swayamvara. But no swayamvara was broadcasted! It never occurred to Damyanti's parents that their daughter was of marriageable age! Nala impatiently asked his courtier time and again, Has Damyanti's father publicized the swayamvar yet? The courtiers would shake their heads saying no and Nala would plunge into depression! Nala was so eager to see Damyanti that he began to neglect his state duties and pined waiting for the swayamvara to happen! (to be continue) ©Sanjoy Khuman "