Shloka 1
नलस्य विवस्त्रीकरणं दमयन्ती-सहानुगमनं च
Nala’s Disrobing and Damayantī’s Companionship
हि >> आय ० | हि २ 7 अष्टपञज्चाशत्तमो< ध्याय: देवताओंके द्वारा नलके गुणोंका गान और उनके निषेध करनेपर भी नलके विरुद्ध कलियुगका कोप बु॒हदश्व उवाच वृते तु नैषथे भैम्या लोकपाला महौजस: । यान्तो ददृशुरायान्तं द्वापरं कलिना सह,बृहदश्च मुनि कहते हैं--राजन! भीमकुमारी दमयन्तीद्वारा निषधनरेश नलका वरण हो जानेपर जब महातेजस्वी लोकपालगण स्वर्गलोकको जा रहे थे, उस समय मार्ममें उन्होंने देखा कि कलियुगके साथ द्वापर आ रहा है
bṛhadaśva uvāca | vṛte tu naiṣathe bhaimyā lokapālā mahaujasaḥ | yānto dadṛśur āyāntaṃ dvāparaṃ kalinā saha ||
Bṛhadaśva said: When Damayantī, the daughter of Bhīma, had chosen Nala, the king of Niṣadha, the mighty guardians of the worlds set out for heaven. As they were departing, they saw the Dvāpara age approaching together with Kali—an ominous sign that even after a righteous choice and divine praise, the forces of decline and discord may still seek an opening in human life.
बु॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when a choice is righteous and affirmed by higher powers, one must remain vigilant: Kali (discord, moral decline) can still arise and seek entry through human weakness. Dharma is not secured once-for-all; it must be guarded.
After Damayantī chooses Nala at the svayaṃvara, the Lokapālas depart for heaven. On their way they notice Dvāpara arriving together with Kali, foreshadowing Kali’s impending hostility toward Nala and the trials that will follow.