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Shloka 21

Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas

Adhyāya 53

/, (७ ,7 )७॥] दमयन्तीसकाशे त्वां कथयिष्यामि नैषध । यथा त्वदन्यं पुरुषं न सा मंस्यति कहिचित्‌,“निषधनरेश! मैं दमयन्तीके निकट आपकी ऐसी प्रशंसा करूँगा, जिससे वह आपके सिवा दूसरे किसी पुरुषको मनमें कभी स्थान न देगी”

damayantī-sakāśe tvāṁ kathayiṣyāmi naiṣadha | yathā tvad-anyaṁ puruṣaṁ na sā maṁsyati kvacit ||

Dijo Bṛhadaśva: «Oh rey de Niṣadha, hablaré de ti en presencia de Damayantī de tal modo que ella jamás, en lugar alguno, pondrá su mente en hombre distinto de ti».

दमयन्ती-सकाशेin the presence/near of Damayantī
दमयन्ती-सकाशे:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootसकाश
FormMasculine, Locative, Singular
त्वाम्you
त्वाम्:
Karma
TypePronoun
Rootयुष्मद्
Form—, Accusative, Singular
कथयिष्यामिI will tell/speak (of)
कथयिष्यामि:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootकथय्
FormSimple Future (Luṭ), 1st, Singular, Parasmaipada
नैषधO Naiṣadha (king of Niṣadha)
नैषध:
TypeNoun
Rootनैषध
FormMasculine, Vocative, Singular
यथाso that / in such a way that
यथा:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootयथा
त्वद्-अन्यम्other than you
त्वद्-अन्यम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootअन्य
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
पुरुषम्a man
पुरुषम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootपुरुष
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
not
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
साshe (Damayantī)
सा:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
मंस्यतिwill think/consider
मंस्यति:
TypeVerb
Rootमन्
FormSimple Future (Luṭ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada
कर्हिचित्ever / at any time
कर्हिचित्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootकर्हिचित्

बृहृदश्चव उवाच

B
Bṛhadaśva
D
Damayantī
N
Naiṣadha (Nala)
N
Niṣadha

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights the ethical power of truthful, well-intentioned speech: praise used responsibly can guide the mind toward steadfast commitment and rightful union, emphasizing loyalty and constancy in love.

Bṛhadaśva assures the king of Niṣadha (Nala) that he will speak to Damayantī and describe Nala’s qualities so compellingly that she will not entertain any other suitor in her heart.