Shloka 23
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
मनोविशुद्ि बुद्धिं च भक्ति रागं च नैषधे | यथोक्तं चक्रिरे देवा: सामर्थ्य लिड्रधारणे,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 | manoviśuddhiṃ buddhiṃ ca bhaktiṃ rāgaṃ ca naiṣadhe | yathoktaṃ cakrire devāḥ sāmarthyaṃ liṅgadhāraṇe ||
Bṛhadaśva said: Seeing in Damayantī of Niṣadha her purity of heart, clarity of understanding, steadfast devotion, and deep love (for Nala), the gods brought about in her the very capacity foretold—the power to discern and hold fast to the signs by which the divine may be recognized—so that she might judge rightly and remain true to her dharma of fidelity.
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Inner purity (manoviśuddhi), clear discernment (buddhi), and devoted fidelity (bhakti) empower right recognition and right choice; when one’s resolve is ethically grounded, supportive forces—here symbolized by the gods—strengthen one’s capacity to discern truth from appearance.
Damayantī’s sincere lament and firm decision regarding Nala reveal her genuine love, devotion, and clarity. Observing these qualities, the gods grant her the ability to recognize the distinguishing signs of the divine, so she can correctly identify and choose Nala amid deceptive appearances.