Shloka 22
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
निशम्य दमयन्त्यास्तत् करुणं प्रतिदेवितम् । निश्चयं परमं तथ्यमनुरागं च नैषधे,दमयन्तीका वह करुण विलाप सुनकर तथा उसके अन्तिम निश्चय, नलविषयक वास्तविक अनुराग, विशुद्ध हृदय, उत्तम बुद्धि तथा नलके प्रति भक्ति एवं प्रेम देखकर देवताओंने दमयन्तीके भीतर वह यथार्थ शक्ति उत्पन्न कर दी, जिससे उसे देवसूचक लक्षणोंका निश्चय हो सके
bṛhadaśva uvāca |
niśamya damayantyās tat karuṇaṃ pratidevitam |
niścayaṃ paramaṃ tathyam anurāgaṃ ca naiṣadhe ||
Bṛhadaśva said: Hearing Damayantī’s piteous lament, and seeing her final, unwavering resolve—her true and faithful love for the king of Niṣadha—the divine powers awakened in her a genuine inner strength, by which she could discern the distinguishing signs that reveal the gods.
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast love grounded in truth (tathya) and firm resolve (niścaya) becomes a source of moral clarity. The verse suggests that inner purity and devotion can awaken discernment, enabling one to distinguish the genuine from the deceptive—here, the human beloved from divine impostors.
Damayantī’s sorrowful plea and unwavering commitment to Nala are heard. Moved by her truthful devotion, the divine powers (as the surrounding narrative explains) enable her to recognize the telltale signs of the gods, so she can identify Nala correctly.