Shloka 11
दमयन्त्याः अरण्यविहारः — Damayantī’s Passage through the Wilderness
पीड्यमान: क्षुधा तत्र फलमूलानि कर्षयन् | प्रातिष्ठत ततो राजा दमयन्ती तमन्वगात्,वहाँ भूखसे पीड़ित हो फल-मूल आदि जुटाते हुए राजा नल वहाँसे अन्यत्र चले गये। केवल दमयन्ती उनके पीछे-पीछे गयी
pīḍyamānaḥ kṣudhā tatra phalamūlāni karṣayan | prātiṣṭhata tato rājā damayantī tamanvagāt ||
وقد أنهكه الجوع في ذلك الموضع، فجمع الملك ثمارًا وجذورًا يتقوّت بها. ثم ارتحل الملك نالا عن ذلك المكان، ولم تتبعه إلا دمايانتي وحدها—ثابتةً على وفائها رغم الشدائد.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even amid deprivation, one should act with steadiness and restraint; Damayantī’s following Nala highlights loyal commitment and endurance in adversity, while Nala’s foraging reflects the necessity of humble, nonviolent means of survival during hardship.
In the forest, Nala is weakened by hunger and gathers wild fruits and roots. He then leaves that spot to continue onward, and Damayantī—alone—keeps following him, showing her unwavering attachment despite their distress.