Shloka 6
नलस्य दमयन्त्युत्सर्गः
Nala’s Abandonment of Damayantī in the Lodging Hall
एवमुक्तस्तु कलिना पुष्करो नलमभ्ययात् | कलिकश्वैव वृषो भूत्वा गवां पुष्करमभ्ययात्,कलिके ऐसा कहनेपर पुष्कर राजा नलके पास गया। कलि भी साँड़ बनकर पुष्करके साथ हो लिया
evam uktas tu kalinā puṣkaro nalam abhyayāt | kali-kaś caiva vṛṣo bhūtvā gavāṁ puṣkaram abhyayāt |
Así interpelado por Kali, Puṣkara se dirigió al rey Nala. Kali también lo acompañó—tomando la forma de un toro entre el ganado—para que Puṣkara pudiera acercarse a Nala bajo su influjo. El episodio anuncia cómo el adharma suele avanzar adhiriéndose a ocasiones y compañías que parecen ordinarias, preparando el terreno para la caída mediante la tentación y el engaño.
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Adharma often works indirectly: it attaches itself to people and situations, disguising its presence, and then pushes one toward harmful choices. Vigilance and discernment are implied—especially for rulers—so that temptation and deceit do not gain entry.
After being prompted by Kali, Puṣkara goes to approach King Nala. Kali accompanies him by taking the form of a bull among cattle, indicating Kali’s covert participation as the coming events move toward Nala’s moral and political crisis.