Shloka 31
Adhyāya 76: Kuṇḍina-praveśaḥ, Bhīmena satkāraḥ, Ṛtuparṇa-kṣamā, Aśvahṛdaya-pratyarpanam
Nala’s Reception and Reconciliation
स्पृशेयं तेन सत्येन पादावेतौ महीपते । यथा नासत्कृतं किंचिन्मनसापि चराम्यहम्,महीपते! मैं मनसे भी कभी कोई असदाचरण नहीं करती हूँ और इसी सत्यकी शपथ खाकर आपके इन दोनों चरणोंका स्पर्श करती हूँ
spṛśeyaṁ tena satyena pādāv etau mahīpate | yathā nāsatkṛtaṁ kiṁcin manasāpi carāmy aham ||
Bṛhadaśvā sprach: „O König, im Namen dieser Wahrheit berühre ich deine beiden Füße: Niemals begehe ich etwas Ungehöriges — nicht einmal in meinem Geist.“
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical integrity is not limited to outward behavior; purity of intention and mental conduct is also part of dharma. Truth (satya) is presented as a moral force that can be invoked as a solemn oath.
Bṛhadaśvā addresses a king with reverence, touching his feet while swearing by a personal truth: that he has never engaged in improper conduct, not even mentally. The gesture combines respect with a formal assertion of innocence or moral credibility.