Shloka 42
नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
भगवन्नचलश्रेष्ठ दिव्यदर्शन विश्ुत । शरण्य बहुकल्याण नमस्ते<स्तु महीधर,'भगवन्! अचलप्रवर! दिव्य दृष्टिवाले! विख्यात! सबको शरण देनेवाले परम कल्याणमय महीधर! आपको नमस्कार है
bhagavann acalaśreṣṭha divyadarśana viśruta | śaraṇya bahukalyāṇa namas te 'stu mahīdhara ||
يا مبارك، يا خيرَ الجبال، يا ذا الرؤية الإلهية والمشهور في كل مكان؛ يا ملجأ الجميع، يا منبع البركات الكثيرة، يا حاملَ الأرض—لك مني السجود والتبجيل.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic humility: recognizing a higher power or sacred presence as a refuge (śaraṇya) and approaching it with reverence (namas), emphasizing that true protection and well-being are sought through respectful surrender rather than pride.
Bṛhadaśva offers a formal salutation to a mighty mountain-like being, praising its fame, divine vision, and protective nature—an opening gesture of respect before seeking aid, passage, or a boon within the episode.