Shloka 8
दमयन्त्याः अरण्यविहारः — Damayantī’s Passage through the Wilderness
पुष्करस्तु महाराज घोषयामास वै पुरे । नले य: सम्यगातिछेत् स गच्छेद् वध्यतां मम,महाराज! पुष्करने उस नगरमें यह घोषणा करा दी--डुग्गी पिटवा दी कि “जो नलके साथ अच्छा बर्ताव करेगा, वह मेरा वध्य होगा”
Puṣkaras tu mahārāja ghoṣayāmāsa vai pure | nale yaḥ samyag āticchet sa gacched vadhyatāṁ mama ||
قال بريهادَشْفا: «أيها الملك العظيم، لقد أمر بوشكَرَ أن يُنادى في المدينة كلّها: “من أحسن إلى نَلا—من أبدى له ما يليق من الاحترام—فليُقتل بأمري.”» وهذا يكشف قسوة بوشكَرَ المدفوعة بالخوف، ومحاولته عزل نَلا اجتماعياً، حتى جعل من أبسط مظاهر الأدب فعلاً يُعاقَب عليه.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power used to criminalize basic decency is a mark of adharma. The verse highlights how envy and insecurity can lead a ruler to enforce injustice, attempting to control not only actions but also goodwill and social support.
Puṣkara, having gained dominance, orders a public proclamation in the city that anyone who treats Nala well will be executed. The intent is to isolate Nala, prevent assistance, and consolidate Puṣkara’s control through fear.