Shloka 33

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

Devanagari script

रुदतीं तामथो दृष्टवा सुनन्दा शोककर्शिता । सुदेवेन सहैकान्ते कथयन्तीं च भारत,राजन! अपने भाईके प्रिय मित्र द्विजश्रेष्ठ सुदंवको सहसा आया देख दमयन्ती शोकसे व्याकुल हो फूट-फ़ूटकर रोने लगी। भारत! तदनन्तर उसे सुदेवके साथ एकान्तमें बात करती तथा रोती देख सुनन्दा शोकसे व्याकुल हो उठी

Transliteration

rudatīṃ tām atho dṛṣṭvā sunandā śokakarśitā | sudevena sahaikānte kathayantīṃ ca bhārata ||

Translation

Seeing her weeping, Sunandā—worn down by grief—became deeply distressed, O Bhārata, as she observed Damayantī speaking privately with Sudeva. The scene underscores the ethical weight of loyal companionship: a friend’s sorrow is not merely witnessed but shared, and private counsel in crisis becomes a necessary refuge for the afflicted.

Word by Word

रुदतीम्crying, weeping

ताम्her

अथthen, now

दृष्ट्वाhaving seen

सुनन्दाSunandā (name)

शोककर्शिताworn down by grief

सुदेवेनwith Sudeva

सहtogether with

एकान्तेin private, in solitude

कथयन्तीम्speaking, conversing

चand

भारतO Bhārata

राजन्O king

Speaker

बृहृदश्च उवाच

Characters & Entities

Sunandā

Sudeva

Bhārata

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 compassionate solidarity: true companions are affected by another’s suffering, and discreet, trusted conversation becomes an ethical support in times of crisis.

What is happening in the narrative?

Sunandā sees the woman (Damayantī in context) crying and speaking privately with Sudeva; witnessing this intimate exchange of grief and counsel, Sunandā herself becomes overwhelmed with sorrow.