Shloka 25
अक्षद्यूतप्रवेशः — Kali’s Entry and the Initiation of the Dice-Contest
नल उवाच भवद्धिरहमादिष्टो दमयन्त्या निवेशनम् | प्रविष्ट: सुमहाकक्ष॑ दण्डिभि: स्थविरैर्वृतम्,नलने कहा--देवताओ! आपकी आज्ञा पाकर मैं दमयन्तीके महलमें गया। उसकी ड्योढ़ी विशाल थी और दण्डधारी बूढ़े रक्षक उसे घेरकर पहरा दे रहे थे
nala uvāca bhavadbhir aham ādiṣṭo damayantyā niveśanam | praviṣṭaḥ su-mahā-kakṣaṃ daṇḍibhiḥ sthavirair vṛtam ||
Nala dijo: «Oh dioses, por vuestro mandato fui a la morada de Damayantī. Al entrar, hallé vasto el gran atrio, y estaba rodeado de ancianos guardias que, con bastones en mano, montaban vigilancia».
नल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights disciplined adherence to entrusted duty: Nala acts as instructed, and the guarded palace setting underscores social order and protective responsibility as part of dharma.
Nala reports that, following the gods’ instruction, he entered Damayantī’s residence and saw a vast entrance-court secured by elderly staff-bearing guards, indicating strict palace protocol before he can proceed further.