Shloka 19
कलेर्द्वापरस्य च नले प्रति कोपः
Kali and Dvāpara’s Resolve Against Nala
अथीैनं स्मयमान तु स्मितपूर्वांभिभाषिणी । दमयन्ती नलं॑ वीरमभ्यभाषत विस्मिता,तब मुसकराकर बातचीत करनेवाली दमयन्तीने विस्मित होकर मुसकराते हुए वीर नलसे इस प्रकार पूछा--
athainaṁ smayamānaṁ tu smitapūrvābhibhāṣiṇī | damayantī nalaṁ vīram abhyabhāṣata vismitā ||
Then Damayantī—smiling, and speaking with a gentle smile already on her lips—addressed the heroic Nala with astonishment.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dignified speech and emotional restraint: even in intense personal moments, Damayantī’s composed, respectful address models self-control and propriety (dharma) in communication.
Damayantī, surprised and smiling, begins to speak directly to Nala. The line sets up her forthcoming questions, marking a pivotal conversational turn in their encounter.