Shloka 82
नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
सपत्नानां मृथे हन्ता रविसोमसमप्रभ: । सर्वैश्षिन्निकृतिप्रज्ैरनायैरकृतात्मभि:
sapatnānāṁ mṛthe hantā ravisomasamaprabhaḥ | sarvaiś chinnakṛtiprajñair anāryair akṛtātmabhiḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “In battle he is a slayer of rivals, radiant with a splendor like the Sun and the Moon. Yet he is surrounded by men of crooked counsel and perverted judgment—ignoble in conduct and undisciplined in spirit.”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even if a warrior or ruler is personally powerful and radiant, association with ignoble, deceitful, and undisciplined advisers corrupts judgment and undermines dharma; character and counsel matter as much as prowess.
Bṛhadaśva describes a formidable figure—deadly in battle and shining like the Sun and Moon—while simultaneously criticizing the company around him as crooked-minded and unworthy, highlighting the moral danger of such companionship.