Shloka 56
Nala’s Embassy to Damayantī and the Gods’ Proposal (नलस्य दूतत्वं देवप्रस्तावश्च)
स निकृत्या जितो राजा पुष्करेणेति न: श्रुतम् वनवासं सुदुःखार्तों भार्यया न्यवसत् सह,हमने सुना है कि राजा नलको उनके भाई पुष्करने छलसे ही जूएके द्वारा जीत लिया था और वे अत्यन्त दुःखसे आतुर हो अपनी पत्नीके साथ वनवासका दुःख भोगने लगे थे
sa nikṛtyā jito rājā puṣkareṇeti naḥ śrutam | vanavāsaṃ suduḥkhārto bhāryayā nyavasat saha ||
Dijo Bṛhadaśva: «Hemos oído que el rey Nala fue vencido por Puṣkara mediante engaño en el juego de dados. Abrumado por un dolor intensísimo, soportó luego la dura pena del destierro en el bosque junto con su esposa».
ब॒हृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames Nala’s downfall as the result of nikṛti (deceit) in gambling, highlighting the ethical danger of adharma-based play and the vulnerability of even a king when fairness is abandoned. It also foregrounds endurance and companionship in suffering, as Nala bears exile together with his wife.
Bṛhadaśva reports the well-known account that Nala was defeated by his brother Puṣkara through cheating in the dice contest, after which Nala—grief-stricken—lived in the forest in exile along with his wife.