Project Idea: Swayamvara

The Sanskrit word "swayamvara" means "self-choice-of-suitor," and it refers to the ritual where the bride picks (or seems to pick) her choice from among a crowd of suitors, sometimes based on a contest.

Research Tip: Start with the Wikipedia article about the swayamvara, and then look at some of the famous swayamvaras from the epics: Sita and Rama; Bhishma and Amba, Ambalika, and Ambika; Kunti and Pandu; Draupadi and Arjuna; and Damayanti and Nala. You might also enjoy these folktales: The Rat's Swayamvara and The Dancing Peacock. The ACK comic books can be a good resource, like the story of Purushottam Dev and Padmavati, where a swayamvara is an important part of the story.

Past Projects:

• Tales of Marriage: Swayamvaras Behind the Scenes