Shloka 2
ऋतुपर्णस्य विदर्भयात्रा-निश्चयः तथा बाहुकस्य हयपरिक्षा (Ṛtuparṇa’s resolve to go to Vidarbha and Bāhuka’s examination of horses)
राजा तु नैषधो नाम वीरसेनसुतो नलः । भार्येयं तस्य कल्याणी पुण्यश्लोकस्य धीमत:,वीरसेनपुत्र नल निषधदेशके सुप्रसिद्ध राजा हैं। उन्हीं (परम) बुद्धिमान पुण्यश्लोक नलकी यह कल्याणमयी पत्नी है
rājā tu naiṣadho nāma vīrasenasuto nalaḥ | bhāryeyaṁ tasya kalyāṇī puṇyaślokasya dhīmataḥ ||
“There is a king named Nala of Niṣadha, the son of Vīrasena. This auspicious lady here is the wife of that wise Nala, whose fame is sanctified by righteous deeds.”
युदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical kingship and moral reputation: true renown (puṇya-śloka) arises from merit and wisdom, and a virtuous partnership (kalyāṇī bhāryā) is presented as integral to a righteous ruler’s life.
Yudhiṣṭhira identifies and introduces King Nala of Niṣadha—son of Vīrasena—and points out that the auspicious woman present is Nala’s wife, setting the stage for the Nala–Damayantī episode within the Vana Parva.