Shloka 29
ऋतुपर्णस्य विदर्भयात्रा-निश्चयः तथा बाहुकस्य हयपरिक्षा (Ṛtuparṇa’s resolve to go to Vidarbha and Bāhuka’s examination of horses)
दमयन्त्युवाच मां चेदिच्छसि जीवन्तीं मातः सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते । नलस्य नरवीरस्य यतस्वानयने पुन:,दमयन्ती बोली--माँ! यदि मुझे जीवित देखना चाहती हो तो मैं तुमसे सच कहती हूँ, नरवीर महाराज नलकी खोज करानेका पुनः प्रयत्न करो
damayanty uvāca māṁ ced icchasi jīvantīṁ mātaḥ satyaṁ bravīmi te | nalasya naravīrasya yatasvānayane punaḥ ||
Damayantī said: “Mother, if you truly wish to see me alive, I will tell you the truth. Make renewed effort to bring back Nala, that heroic king among men.”
युदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Damayantī grounds her plea in satya (truth) and insists on renewed effort (yatasva) to restore what is right: reunion with her husband. The verse highlights ethical urgency—truthful speech and steadfast perseverance in upholding marital dharma amid suffering.
In the Nala–Damayantī episode within the Vana Parva, Damayantī addresses her mother, declaring that her very survival depends on active steps to find and bring back King Nala. It is a direct appeal for practical action rather than mere consolation.