Shloka 26

Parṇāda’s Report; Bāhuka’s Counsel; Damayantī’s Strategic Svayaṃvara Message (अध्याय ६८)

Devanagari script

अहमाश्वासयाम्येनां पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननाम्‌ । अदृष्टपूर्वा दुःखस्य दु:खार्ता ध्यानतत्पराम्‌,इस पूर्णचन्द्रमुखी राजकुमारीने पहले कभी दुःखको नहीं देखा था। इस समय दुःखसे आतुर हो पतिके ध्यानमें परायण है, अतः मैं इसे आश्वासन देनेका विचार कर रहा हूँ

Transliteration

aham āśvāsayāmy enāṃ pūrṇacandranibhānanām | adṛṣṭapūrvā duḥkhasya duḥkhārtā dhyānatatparām ||

Translation

Yudeva said: “I shall console her—this princess whose face is like the full moon. She has never before encountered sorrow; now, stricken by grief, she remains wholly intent on meditation upon her husband. Therefore I intend to give her reassurance.”

Word by Word

अहम्I

आश्वासयामिI console / reassure

एनाम्her (this woman)

पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननाम्whose face is like the full moon

अदृष्टपूर्वाnot previously seen/experienced (before)

दुःखस्यof sorrow

दुःखार्ताafflicted by sorrow

ध्यानतत्पराम्intent on meditation/thought (absorbed in contemplation)

Speaker

युदेव उवाच

Characters & Entities

Yudeva (speaker)

a princess/royal maiden (rājakumārī, implied)

her husband (pati, implied)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic compassion: when someone inexperienced in suffering is overwhelmed by grief, a responsible person should offer reassurance and emotional support, honoring their devotion while helping them regain steadiness.

What is happening in the narrative?

The speaker observes a moon-faced princess who has never faced hardship before; now she is distressed and absorbed in thoughts/meditation on her husband. Seeing her condition, he resolves to console her.