There was no woman amongst the celestials, the Asuras, the Yakshas, the
Rakshasas, the Apsaras, and the Gandharvas, who was equal to her in beauty.
Of perfect, and faultless features, of black and large eyes, and in
beautiful attire, the girl was chaste and of perfect conduct. And, O
Bharata, seeing her Savitri (the sun) thought that there was none in the
three worlds who, for his beauty, accomplishments, behaviour, and learning,
deserved to be her husband. Beholding her attain the age of puberty and,
therefore, worthy of being bestowed on a husband, her father knew no peace
of mind, always thinking of the person he should select. At that time, O
son of Kunti, Riksha's son, that bull amongst the Kurus, the mighty king
Samvarana, was duly worshipping Surya with offerings of Arghya and flower-
garlands and scents, and with vows and fasts and ascetic penances of
various kinds. Indeed, Samvarana was worshipping Surya constantly in all
his glory, with devotion and humility and piety. And beholding Samvarana
conversant with all rules of virtue and unequalled on earth for beauty,
Surya regarded him as the fit husband for his daughter, Tapati. And, O
thou of Kuru's race, Vivaswat then resolved to bestow his daughter on that
best of kings, viz., Samvarana, the scion of a race of world-wide fame. As
Surya himself in the heavens filleth the firmament with his splendour, so
did king Samvarana on earth fill every region with the splendour of his
good achievements.
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