Shloka 9
Damayantī’s Lament, Serpent-Seizure, Rescue by the Hunter, and the Curse
निशम्य सतत चाक्षान् पुण्यश्लोकपराड्मुखान् । नलं च हृतसर्वस्वं धात्रीं पुनरुवाच ह,पतिको अपनी बातका प्रसन्नतापूर्वक उत्तर देते न देख दमयन्ती लज्जित हो पुनः महलके भीतर चली गयी। वहाँ फिर उसने सुना कि सारे पासे लगातार पुण्यश्लोक राजा नलके विपरीत पड़ रहे हैं और उनका सर्वस्व अपहृत हो रहा है। तब उसने पुनः धायसे कहा --बृहत्सेने! फिर राजा नलकी आज्ञासे जाओ और वार्ष्णेय सूतको बुला लाओ। कल्याणि! एक बहुत बड़ा कार्य उपस्थित हुआ है!
niśamya satataṃ cākṣān puṇyaślokaparāṅmukhān | nalaṃ ca hṛtasarvasvaṃ dhātrīṃ punar uvāca ha ||
Hearing that the dice, again and again, were turning against the illustrious King Nala—and that Nala was being stripped of all he possessed—Damayantī spoke once more to her nurse. The scene underscores how swiftly fortune can reverse through addiction and imprudence, and how a devoted wife responds with urgent, practical resolve when dharma and household stability are threatened.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of gambling and the fragility of worldly prosperity: when judgment is clouded, even an illustrious king can lose everything. It also points to responsible action in crisis—Damayantī responds not with despair but with urgent, purposeful steps to protect what remains and to seek help.
Damayantī hears that the dice are repeatedly going against King Nala and that his entire wealth is being taken. Distressed by the unfolding loss, she speaks again to her nurse/attendant, initiating further action (summoning assistance) as the situation escalates.