Shloka 55

Devanagari script

निषधेषु महीपालो वीरसेन इति श्रुत: । तस्य पुत्रो5भवन्नाम्ना नलो धर्मार्थकोविद:,निषधदेशमें वीरसेन नामसे प्रसिद्ध एक भूपाल हो गये हैं। उन्हींके पुत्रका नाम नल था। जो धर्म और अर्थके तत्त्वज्ञ थे

Transliteration

niṣadheṣu mahīpālo vīrasena iti śrutaḥ | tasya putro 'bhavannāmnā nalo dharmārthakovidaḥ ||

Translation

In the land of the Niṣadhas there was a king renowned by the name Vīrasena. His son was Nala, celebrated for his discerning knowledge of dharma and artha—one who understood both righteous conduct and prudent governance.

Word by Word

निषधेषुin (the land of) Niṣadha(s)

महीपालःa king (protector of the earth)

वीरसेनःVīrasena

इतिthus

श्रुतःwas heard/was known (as)

तस्यof him

पुत्रःson

अभवत्was/became

नाम्नाby name

नलःNala

धर्मार्थकोविदःskilled/learned in dharma and artha

Speaker

ब॒हृदश्च उवाच

Characters & Entities

Niṣadha (country/people)

Vīrasena

Nala

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse presents an ideal of rulership and character: true excellence is not only inherited through lineage but shown through competence in dharma (ethical duty) and artha (practical governance and welfare).

What is happening in the narrative?

Bṛhadaśva introduces the setting and principal figures of the Nala episode, naming Vīrasena as king of Niṣadha and identifying his son Nala as renowned for mastery of dharma and artha.