कलेर्द्वापरस्य च नले प्रति कोपः
Kali and Dvāpara’s Resolve Against Nala
एवमुक्त: स शक्रेण नल: प्राउ्जलिरब्रवीत् | एकार्थ समुपेतं मां न प्रेषयितुमहथ,इन्द्रके ऐसा कहनेपर नल हाथ जोड़कर बोले--'देवताओ! मेरा भी एकमात्र यही प्रयोजन है, जो आपलोगोंका है; अत: एक ही प्रयोजनके लिये आये हुए मुझे दूत बनाकर न भेजिये'
evam uktaḥ sa śakreṇa nalaḥ prāñjalir abravīt | ekārtha-samupetaṁ māṁ na preṣayitum arhatha ||
Thus addressed by Śakra (Indra), Nala, with palms joined in reverence, replied: “Do not deem it right to send me as a messenger. I have come with the very same single purpose that you gods have; since our aim is one, it is not fitting to dispatch me as an envoy.”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
When the goal is shared, one should not be reduced to a mere instrument; ethical propriety (arhatā) requires recognizing equal stake and agency, expressed through respectful but firm speech.
Indra (Śakra) speaks to Nala; Nala responds with folded hands, stating that he has come for the same single purpose as the gods and therefore should not be sent away as their messenger.