SWAYAMVARA. SANSK. The public selec tion cif a husband by a princess or lady of rank.
Ono of the favourite incidents in the ancient heroic poems of the Hindus is the rite called Swayamvara, or the choice of a husband by a princess from an assembly of suitors met from all parts to take their chance in the selection. The heroes, at least in some instances, submit them selves in silent rivalry to inspection as she walks along their line to select from the throng the favoured suitor by presenting him with a garland, or a cup of water, or some such token of regard. Arrian represents the lady as acting a merely passive part, but the poems and the very name Swayamvara (from Swayam, herself, and Vara, choosing) show that she had an active share in the transaction. In the Institutes of Menu it is said (ix. 90), Three years let a damsel wait, though she be tnarriageable but after that time let her choose for herself (vmdeta) a bridegroom of equal rank ; if, not being given in marriage, she choose her bridegroom (adhigachhed yadi swa yam), neither she nor the youth chosen commit any offence.' The scholiast explains it of the so-called Swayamvara, adhikaguna-varatable samanajati gunam vararn swayam vrinita.' The e.andidates for the band of the lady were invited to her father's house, and, after previous festivities for some days, were collected in a hall, round which the damsel passed and selected her future lord, by throwing a garland round his neck ; the mar riage rite was then celebrated as usual. The custom is the subject of much pleasing poetic description in the Mahabharata, the Naishadha, and other works. A translation of 'the Swayam vara of Draupadi from the former is published in the Calcutta Quarterly Magazine for September 1825. She was won by Arjuna. Damayanti chose Nala ; Tarvati chose Chandra Sekara, and the princess of Kanouj threw the garland over an image of Prithi-raj. In the Hero and the Nymph by Kalidasa (Hind. Th. i. p. 226), Pailava de scribes a scene in which Urvasi played Lakshmi ; Menaka was Varuni. The latter says— Lakshmi, the mighty powers that rule the spheres Are all assembled ; at the head appears The blooming Kesava. Confess, to whom , Inclines your heart?' Damayanti was the tried and eKemplary wife of Nala. She prayed for her union with him, having inquired after and seen him in her apartments. Iler becoming Swayamvara again was simply to make Nola, from whom she had been separated, knoiir where she was, that he might come there and be reunited to her. Of the Kshatriya women, some married according to the Brahma mode, and some became Swayamvara. Aja married Indhu
mati who was Swayamvara. His son Dasaratha had 'the daughter of Kosala offered to him, and be married her ; but his second wife, Kaikeyi, whom he won, was a Swayamvara. Janaka, king of Mithila, made his daughter Sita Swayamvara. She prayed that she should be the wife of Rama, who bent the huge bow, and was the successful competitor. The character of Sita a model wife and a holy woman is held high. When she met the venerable wife of Atri, and was highly complimented, she said that, although she was devo ,tao to Rama, and she tried her utmost to follow him, she doubted whether her soul mirrored the purity of his. When ,she solicited permission to accompany her husband into banish ment, she said— A wffe must share her liusband's fate : My duty is to follow thee Wherever thou goest. Apart from thee, I would not dwell in heaven itself.
Thou art rny king, my guide, My only refuge, my dimity.' After the death of Ravana, when •sbe appeared before Rama, and when he cast reflections on her chastity, she dashed away her tears, brought on by the interview and, rising from the dust at his feet, addresSed Lakshmana as follows Son of Sumitra! in thine eyes I see pity and trust of me. Build me a funeral pyre. Brother, since I am tainted in Rama's sight, 'tis time I should die.' When Draupadi became a Swayamvara, it was proclaimed that whoever would bend an enormous bow, and by it shoot five arrows simultaneously through a revolving ring into a target beyond, would win her. 1Vhen she was brought to the Sabha, Dhristadumna informed her of the names of those who had been assembled. After the failure of several princes, Karna rose, when Drau padi publicly said, 'I will not marry a carpenter's son.' Arjuna rose, tried, succeeded, and won the bride. When she was taken to Kunti, the latter said to her sons, What you have acquired should be your common property.' What emen ates from a mother must be done. The propriety of the marriage of one woman to five men was discussed at the Draupada raja's palace, where Kunti was present, and took a part in the dis cussion. Vyas supported Kunti, and sanctioned the proposed marriage. It appeared that during the Vedic times, the daughter of a rishi was married to Prachata and his nine brothers, and another woman of the Gautama line was the wife of a hundred rishis. But these were exceptions; they are not alluded to in the Rig Veda, and were quoted to legalize the marriage of Draupadi with the five Pandava.