Shloka 1
#::73:.8 #::3-...7 (0) हि २ 7 द्विषष्टितमो<5 ध्याय: राजा नलकी चिन्ता और दमयन्तीको अकेली सोती छोड़कर उनका अन्यत्र प्रस्थान नल उवाच यथा राज्यं तव पितुस्तथा मम न संशय: । न तु तत्र गमिष्यामि विषमस्थ: कथंचन,नलने कहा--प्रिये! इसमें संदेह नहीं कि विदर्भराज्य जैसे तुम्हारे पिताका है, वैसे मेरा भी है, तथापि आपकत्तिमें पड़ा हुआ मैं किसी तरह वहाँ नहीं जाऊँगा
nala uvāca | yathā rājyaṃ tava pituḥ tathā mama na saṃśayaḥ | na tu tatra gamiṣyāmi viṣamasthaḥ kathaṃcana ||
Nala said: “Beloved, there is no doubt that the kingdom is as much mine as it is your father’s. Yet, fallen into this dire predicament, I will not go there—by no means.”
नल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one has rightful claims (to status or support), ethical self-assessment in crisis matters: Nala acknowledges his legitimate standing, yet refuses to seek refuge while he is compromised, suggesting a concern for honor, responsibility, and the consequences of approaching others in a degraded condition.
In the forest episode of Nala and Damayantī, Nala speaks to Damayantī, affirming that he has as much claim to royal protection as her father does, but declares that in his present misfortune he will not go to her father’s kingdom.