Shloka 80
ब्रह्मण्यो दैवतपर: श्रीमान् परपुरंजय: । नलो नाम नृपश्रेष्ठो देवराजसमद्युति:,“वे निषधकुलके रक्षक, महातेजस्वी, महाबली, सत्यवादी, धर्मज्ञ, विद्वान, सत्यप्रतिज्ञ, शत्रुमर्दन, ब्राह्मणभक्त, देवोपासक, शोभा और सम्पत्तिसे युक्त तथा शत्रुओंकी राजधानीपर विजय पानेवाले हैं। मेरे स्वामी नृपश्रेष्ठ नल देवराज इन्द्रके समान तेजस्वी हैं। उनके नेत्र विशाल हैं, उनका मुख पूर्ण चन्द्रमाके समान सुन्दर है, वे शत्रुओंका संहार करनेवाले, बड़े- बड़े यज्ञोंके आयोजक और वेद-वेदांगोंके पारंगत विद्वान् हैं
bṛhadaśva uvāca | brahmaṇyo daivataparaḥ śrīmān parapuraṃjayaḥ | nalo nāma nṛpaśreṣṭho devarājasamadyutiḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “There is a king named Nala, the best among rulers—devoted to Brahmins and devoted to the gods, endowed with prosperity, and a conqueror of enemy strongholds. His splendor is equal to that of Indra, the king of the gods.”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal kingship as grounded in dharma: reverence for Brahmins and devotion to the gods, coupled with prosperity used for righteous rule and the strength to protect the realm by overcoming hostile powers.
Bṛhadaśva introduces and praises King Nala, highlighting his religious devotion, royal excellence, and Indra-like radiance—setting up Nala’s exemplary stature before the later trials of his story.