Rajeev: Hey Divya, have you ever heard about the swayamwar system that existed in ancient India?
Divya: Yes, I have. It was a unique way of selecting a life partner, where the bride could choose her husband from a group of eligible suitors.
Rajeev: Exactly! It was prevalent in many Hindu texts like the Mahabharat and Ramayan. For instance, in the Mahabharat, Arjun won Draupadi's swayamwar by hitting the eye of the fish while looking at its reflection in a pool of water. And in the Ramayan, Lord Ram won Sita's swayamwar by lifting the Shiva Dhanush, which no other suitor could even move.
Divya: Wow, those were extraordinary displays of skill and courage. But did you know that there were many other swayamvars in ancient times?
Rajeev: Yes, there were many other famous swayamwars in ancient times. For instance, Lord Krishna won Princess Rukmini's hand in marriage by abducting her from the swayamwar ceremony., and Nala won Princess Damayanti's hand in marriage by appearing as a swan and impressing her with his eloquent speech. Princess Madhavi chose King Shibi by sacrificing his own flesh to a hawk to save a dove, and King Prithviraj Chauhan won Princess Samyukta's hand in marriage by eloping with her.
Divya: That's interesting. I didn't know about those swayamwars. Were there any more?
Rajeev: Yes, there were many others. For example, King Chandragupta Maurya won Princess Anamika's hand in marriage by solving a difficult mathematical problem, and Kushadhwaja, King Janaka's brother, won Princess Swarnalekha's hand in marriage by defeating her challengers in archery. King Dushyant recognized Princess Shakuntala as his wife and won her hand in marriage by proving his claim with a ring he had given her earlier.
Divya: It's fascinating to learn about all these swayamwars from ancient times.
Rajeev: Yes, it is. but It's a shame that the swayamwar system is no longer practiced today. I wish there was a swayamwar system in this kalyug, so I could participate in yours and win it by solving a difficult mathematical problem just like King Chandragupta Maurya.
Divya: Haha, that's sweet of you, Rajeev. But I think we should stick to modern methods of choosing a life partner.
Rajeev: Of course, you're right. But it's always fun to imagine what it would have been like to live in ancient times and participate in a swayamwar.
Divya: Agreed. It's fascinating to learn about our history and traditions.
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