Shloka 11

Damayantī’s Lament, Serpent-Seizure, Rescue by the Hunter, and the Curse

Devanagari script

बृहत्सेना तु सा श्रुत्वा दमयन्त्या: प्रभाषितम्‌ । वा्ष्णेयमानयामास पुरुषैराप्तकारिभि:,बृहत्सेनाने दमयन्तीकी बात सुनकर विश्वसनीय पुरुषोंद्वारा वाष्णेयको बुलाया। तब अनिन्द्य स्वभाववाली और देश-कालको जाननेवाली भीमकुमारी दमयन्तीने वार्ष्णेयको मधुर वाणीमें सान्त्वना देते हुए यह समयोचित बात कही--

Transliteration

Bṛhatsenā tu sā śrutvā Damayantyāḥ prabhāṣitam | Vārṣṇeyam ānayāmāsa puruṣair āptakāribhiḥ ||

Translation

Bṛhatsenā, having heard what Damayantī had spoken, caused Vārṣṇeya to be brought by trustworthy men who would carry out her intent. Then Damayantī—of blameless disposition and mindful of what suited the time and place—spoke to Vārṣṇeya in sweet words, consoling him and saying what was fitting for the moment.

Word by Word

बृहत्सेनाBṛhatsenā (name of a woman)

तुbut/indeed

साshe

श्रुत्वाhaving heard

दमयन्त्याःof Damayantī

प्रभाषितम्spoken words/speech

वार्ष्णेयम्Vārṣṇeya (name of a man; descendant of Vṛṣṇi)

आनयामासbrought/caused to be brought

पुरुषैःby men

आप्तकारिभिःby trustworthy/reliable (men)

Speaker

बृहृदश्चव उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bṛhatsenā

Damayantī

Vārṣṇeya

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights ethical communication and practical wisdom: one should act through trustworthy agents and speak with sweetness and consolation, choosing words appropriate to time and place (deśa-kāla).

What is happening in the narrative?

After hearing Damayantī’s words, Bṛhatsenā arranges for Vārṣṇeya to be brought by reliable men. Damayantī then addresses Vārṣṇeya gently, offering reassurance and speaking in a manner suited to the situation.