Mahabharata 3.65.61 — Vana Parva, Adhyaya 65, Shloka 61
Sudeva Identifies Damayantī in Cedi (सुदेवेन दमयन्ती-परिचयः)
अनुव्रजन्ती बहुला न स्वपामि निशास्तदा | ततो बहुतिथे काले सुप्तामुत्सृज्य मां क्वचित्
anuvrajantī bahulā na svapāmi niśās tadā | tato bahutithe kāle suptām utsṛjya māṃ kvacit |
“When she followed after me again and again, I could not sleep at night. Then, after a long time had passed, she would at some point abandon me while I lay asleep.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological cost of persistent attachment and uncertainty: when one is pursued or bound by anxious dependence, peace (sleep) is lost; and when abandonment occurs unexpectedly, insecurity deepens. Ethically, it points to the need for steadiness and clarity in relationships rather than restless clinging and sudden withdrawal.
Bṛhadaśva describes a situation in which a woman repeatedly follows him, keeping him awake at night; later, after much time, she leaves him at some moment while he is asleep—emphasizing his disturbed state and the suddenness of separation.
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