Shloka 78
Kāmyake Arjuna-viyogaḥ — The Pandavas’ despondency in Kāmyaka during Arjuna’s absence
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत वनपर्वके अन्तर्गत नलोपाख्यानपर्वमें पुष्करको हराकर राजा नलके अपने नगरमें आनेसे सम्बन्ध रखनेवाला अठठ्ठत्तरवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ
iti prakāraṃ śrīmahābhārate vanaparvaṇi antargate nalopākhyānaparvaṇi puṣkaraṃ haritvā rājā nalasya svanagaraṃ pratyāgamanena sambandhaṃ rakhne vālā aṣṭasaptatitamo ’dhyāyaḥ samāptaḥ
Thus ends the seventy-eighth chapter of the Nala episode within the Vana Parva of the Śrī Mahābhārata, describing how King Nala defeated Puṣkara and the events connected with Nala’s return to his own city. The closing signals the restoration of rightful order after a trial: perseverance, self-mastery, and adherence to dharma culminate in the recovery of kingship and stability.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The chapter-colophon emphasizes dharmic restoration: after suffering and error, steadfast effort and regained self-control lead to the re-establishment of rightful order—symbolized by Nala’s victory over Puṣkara and his return to kingship.
This is the concluding statement (colophon) marking the end of the seventy-eighth chapter of the Nalopākhyāna within Vana Parva, summarizing that Nala has defeated Puṣkara and that the narrative now concerns Nala’s return to his own city.