Shloka 29
दमयन्त्या वणिजां सार्थगमनम्, हस्तियूथविप्लवः, चेदिराजपुरप्रवेशश्च
Damayantī joins a caravan; elephant-herd catastrophe; entry into Cedi
नष्टात्मा कलिना स्पृष्टस्तत् तद् विगणयन् नृपः । जगामैकां वने शून्ये भार्यामुत्सृज्य दु:खित:,कलियुगके स्पर्शसे उनकी बुद्धि भ्रष्ट हो गयी थी; अतः वे अत्यन्त दुःखी हो विभिन्न बातोंका विचार करते हुए उस सूने वनमें अपनी पत्नीको अकेली छोड़कर चल दिये
bṛhadaśva uvāca |
naṣṭātmā kalinā spṛṣṭas tat tad vigaṇayan nṛpaḥ |
jagāmaikāṃ vane śūnye bhāryām utsṛjya duḥkhitaḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva sprach: Von Kali berührt, waren Urteilskraft und Selbstbeherrschung des Königs zugrunde gerichtet. Von Kummer gequält und vielerlei Gedanken wälzend, ging er allein in den öden Wald und ließ seine Gemahlin zurück.
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
When one is overpowered by Kali—symbolizing vice, discord, and loss of discernment—self-mastery collapses and adharma-like actions follow. The verse highlights the ethical danger of a mind clouded by destructive influences: grief and confusion can drive a person to betray duties, even toward one’s spouse.
In Bṛhadaśva’s narration of Nala’s story, the king—his mind corrupted by Kali—wanders in a deserted forest. In his distress and confused deliberation, he leaves his wife behind and goes away alone, marking a tragic turning point in their ordeal.