swayamvara

Swayamvara (svayamvara) is a matrimonial practice described in ancient Indian literature in which a princess or bride-to-be chooses her husband from among assembled suitors, rather than being pledged by her family. The term derives from Sanskrit svayam, meaning self, and vara, meaning husband.

In traditional accounts, the suitors are typically required to complete a challenge or perform a difficult task, and the bride's consent—within the social framework of the tale—forms the centerpiece of the ceremony. The arrangement and the test emphasize the suitors' abilities, virtue, or suitability, and the bride’s preference is central to the outcome.

The best known examples appear in two Indian epics. In the Ramayana, King Janaka holds a svayamvara to find a husband for his daughter Sita; many princes fail to string the bow, while Rama succeeds and wins Sita's hand. In the Mahabharata, Draupadi's swayamvara features a high-stakes archery contest that Arjuna wins, leading to her marriage and the Pandavas' alliance.

The motif appears across regions and texts, with variations in how the test is framed and who arranges it. Some accounts emphasize heroism and prowess, others stress virtue, intelligence, or rightful consent. In many narratives the event serves to establish alliances, test lineage, or promote moral ideals.