Shloka 37
Keśinī’s Inquiry to Bāhuka and the Emotional Signs of Concealed Identity (केशिन्याः बाहुकपरीक्षा)
भयार्त शरणं यात॑ यदि मां त्वं न शप्स्यसे । एवमुक्तो नलो राजा न्ययच्छत् कोपमात्मन:,“अब मैं आपकी शरणमें हूँ। आप मेरी यह बात सुनिये। यदि भयसे पीड़ित और शरणमें आये हुए मुझको आप शाप नहीं देंगे तो संसारमें जो मनुष्य आलस्यरहित हो आपकी कीर्ति-कथाका कीर्तन करेंगे, उन्हें मुझसे कभी भय नहीं होगा।” कलियुगके ऐसा कहनेपर राजा नलने अपने क्रोधको रोक लिया
Bṛhadaśva uvāca—bhayārtaḥ śaraṇaṃ yātaḥ yadi māṃ tvaṃ na śapsyase | evam ukto nalo rājā nyayacchat kopam ātmanaḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “If, when I have come to you in fear and seeking refuge, you will not curse me, then those in the world who are free from sloth and who recite the account of your fame will never have cause to fear me.” When Kali spoke thus, King Nala restrained the anger within himself.
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when provoked, a righteous person restrains anger; granting refuge and exercising self-control are presented as higher ethical responses than retaliation.
Kali, fearing Nala’s reaction, seeks refuge and asks not to be cursed; he promises that those who diligently recite Nala’s fame will be free from fear of him. Hearing this, Nala suppresses his anger.