Shloka 2
दमयन्त्या वणिजां सार्थगमनम्, हस्तियूथविप्लवः, चेदिराजपुरप्रवेशश्च
Damayantī joins a caravan; elephant-herd catastrophe; entry into Cedi
कथं समृद्धो गत्वाहं तव हर्षविवर्धन: । परिच्युतो गमिष्यामि तव शोकविवर्धन:,एक दिन मैं भी समृद्धिशाली राजा था। उस अवस्थामें वहाँ जाकर मैंने तुम्हारे हर्षको बढ़ाया था और आज उस राज्यसे वंचित होकर केवल तुम्हारे शोककी वृद्धि कर रहा हूँ, ऐसी दशामें वहाँ कैसे जाऊँगा?
kathaṁ samṛddho gatvāhaṁ tava harṣavivardhanaḥ | paricyuto gamiṣyāmi tava śokavivardhanaḥ ||
Nala said: “How can I go there now? Once, when I was prosperous, I went and increased your joy; but today, fallen from my kingdom, I would go only to increase your sorrow. In such a condition, how could I present myself there?”
नल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical sensitivity in relationships: one should not seek reunion or public appearance in a way that burdens loved ones with additional grief. Nala’s hesitation reflects responsibility, shame born of lost honor, and compassion for the other’s emotional state.
Nala speaks from a state of ruin after losing his kingdom. Remembering that he once brought happiness when he was prosperous, he now fears that returning in a fallen condition will only cause sorrow, and therefore questions how he can go back.