Shloka 32
कर्कोटक-उपदेशः
Karkoṭaka’s Counsel and Nala’s Concealment
तामर्धवस्त्रसंवीतां पीनश्रोणिपयोधराम् । सुकुमारानवद्याज़ीं पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननाम्,स्थूल नितम्ब और स्तनोंवाली विदर्भकुमारीने आधे वस्त्रसे ही अपने अंगोंको ढँक रखा था। पूर्ण चन्द्रमाके समान मनोहर मुखवाली दमयन्तीका एक-एक अंग सुकुमार एवं निर्दोष था। उसकी आँखें तिरछी बरौनियोंसे सुशोभित थीं और वह बड़े मधुर स्वरमें बोल रही थी। इन सब बातोंकी ओर लक्ष्य करके वह व्याध कामके अधीन हो गया
bṛhadaśva uvāca |
tām ardhavastrasaṃvītāṃ pīnaśroṇipayodharām |
sukumārānavadyāṅgīṃ pūrṇacandranibhānanām ||
Bṛhadaśva said: She was covered only by a half-garment, with full hips and swelling breasts; her limbs were tender and flawless, and her face resembled the full moon. The description underscores how the hunter’s gaze fixes on outward beauty; ethically, it foreshadows how unchecked desire (kāma) can overpower discernment and lead one away from restraint and right conduct.
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the power of sensory attraction and implicitly warns that when desire dominates the mind, ethical restraint weakens; one must cultivate self-control to prevent kāma from driving harmful action.
Bṛhadaśva describes Damayantī’s beauty in vivid physical terms; this portrayal sets up the hunter’s infatuation and loss of restraint, which becomes a narrative turning point in the episode.