Shloka 19
दमयन्तीस्वयंवरः — देववेषधारणं, सत्यप्रार्थना, नलवरणम्
Damayantī’s Svayaṃvara: Divine Disguises, Truth-Vow, and Choosing Nala
क्वनुते क्षत्रिया: शूरा न हि पश्यामि तानहम् । आगच्छतो महीपालान् दयितानतिथीन् मम
kvanu te kṣatriyāḥ śūrā na hi paśyāmi tān aham | āgacchato mahīpālān dayitān atithīn mama ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “Where are those valiant kṣatriyas of yours? I do not see them. My beloved royal guests are arriving—kings coming as atithis—and it is your duty to receive them with honor.”
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores atithi-dharma and royal responsibility: a kṣatriya household must be prepared to honor arriving guests—especially kings—with proper reception, protection, and respect.
Bṛhadaśva calls for the presence of the brave kṣatriyas and points out that royal guests (kings) are arriving; he urges readiness to receive them appropriately, implying a lapse or delay in proper hospitality.