Shloka 36
Adhyāya 76: Kuṇḍina-praveśaḥ, Bhīmena satkāraḥ, Ṛtuparṇa-kṣamā, Aśvahṛdaya-pratyarpanam
Nala’s Reception and Reconciliation
एवमुक्तस्तथा वायुरन्तरिक्षादभाषत । नैषा कृतवती पापं नल सत्य ब्रवीमि ते,दमयन्तीके ऐसा कहनेपर अन्तरिक्षलोकसे वायु-देवताने कहा--“नल! मैं तुमसे सत्य कहता हूँ, इस दमयन्तीने कभी कोई पाप नहीं किया है
evam uktas tathā vāyur antarīkṣād abhāṣata | naiṣā kṛtavatī pāpaṃ nala satyaṃ bravīmi te ||
Thus addressed, the Wind-god spoke from mid-air: “Nala, I tell you the truth—this Damayantī has never committed any sin.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A righteous judgment should rest on truth rather than suspicion. The verse underscores the ethical principle that a virtuous person—here Damayantī—should not be condemned without evidence, and that सत्य (truth) is a dharmic anchor even amid emotional turmoil.
After being addressed, Vāyu speaks from the sky to Nala and gives divine assurance that Damayantī has committed no sin. This functions as an authoritative vindication of her character within the Nala–Damayantī episode.