Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c5.109

c5.109

8) Damayantī in Kuṇḍinapura. At this time Damayantī was living in the palace of Cedi, as the maid of princess Sunandā. King Bhīma became very sorry not knowing where Nala and Damayantī had gone. He sent men in all directions to search for them. The King proclaimed that those who found them would be awarded thousand cows, lands assigned to Brāhmaṇs, and villages. He proclaimed that so many cows would be given even to those who could give any information about them. Hearing this Brāhmaṇas went in all directions and Sudeva, one of them, reached the Kingdom of Cedi. He recognized Damayantī who was like fire inside the cover of smoke. When Damayantī was alone Sudeva approached her and said that he had come from Vidarbha and that he was a friend of Damayantī’s brother. Damayantī recognized Sudeva and she cried aloud. Sunandā who saw this scene, told her mother about it. The queen sent for Sudeva and asked him what the matter was. He revealed everything about Damayantī, to the queen. When they heard the story all the women in the harem cried. Then with tears the queen said, “Hear this, Damayantī, your mother and myself are the two daughters of Sudama the King of Daśārna. Father gave your mother to Bhima the King of Vidarbha and me to Virabāhu the King of Cedi. I have seen you when you were an infant.”