Shloka 2
कलेर्द्वापरस्य च नले प्रति कोपः
Kali and Dvāpara’s Resolve Against Nala
के वै भवन्त: कश्चासौ यस्याहं दूत ईप्सित: । किं च तद् वो मया कार्य कथयध्वं यथातथम्,बृहदश्व मुनि कहते हैं--भारत! देवताओंसे उनकी सहायता करनेकी प्रतिज्ञा करके राजा नलने हाथ जोड़ पास जाकर उनसे पूछा--“आपलोग कौन हैं? और वह कौन व्यक्ति है, जिसके पास जानेके लिये आपने मुझे दूत बनानेकी इच्छा की है तथा आपलोगोंका वह कौन-सा कार्य है, जो मेरे द्वारा सम्पन्न होनेयोग्य है, यह ठीक-ठीक बताइये"
ke vai bhavantaḥ kaścāsau yasyāhaṃ dūta īpsitaḥ | kiṃ ca tad vo mayā kāryaṃ kathayadhvaṃ yathātatham ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “O Bhārata! Having pledged his assistance to the gods, King Nala approached them with joined palms and asked: ‘Who indeed are you? And who is that person to whom you wish to send me as a messenger? What task is it that you want accomplished through me? Tell me the matter exactly as it is.’”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before undertaking a duty—especially one involving powerful beings or moral consequence—one should seek clarity: who is involved, what is being asked, and what exactly must be done. The verse highlights disciplined inquiry, truthful communication (yathātatham), and humble readiness to serve within dharma.
In Bṛhadaśva’s narration to Bhārata (Yudhiṣṭhira), King Nala, having promised help to the gods, respectfully approaches them and asks for precise details: their identity, the intended recipient of his message, and the specific task they want him to carry out.