Damayantī’s Lament, Serpent-Seizure, Rescue by the Hunter, and the Curse
ऋतुपर्ण स राजानमुपतस्थे सुदुःखित: । भृतिं चोपययौ तस्य सारथ्येन महीपते,युधिष्ठिर! वह अत्यन्त दुःखी हो राजा ऋतुपर्णकी सेवामें उपस्थित हुआ और उनका सारथि बनकर जीविका चलाने लगा
ṛtuparṇaḥ sa rājānam upatasthe suduḥkhitaḥ | bhṛtiṃ copayayau tasya sārathyena mahīpate, yudhiṣṭhira |
Profundamente afligido, se presentó ante el rey Ṛtuparṇa y entró a su servicio. Así, oh Yudhiṣṭhira, sirviendo como auriga del monarca, se sostuvo a sí mismo: soportó la adversidad con disciplina y humildad como medio de subsistencia.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Even in severe distress, one may uphold dharma by accepting honest work and serving with humility. The verse highlights ethical resilience: sustaining oneself through rightful livelihood rather than through wrongdoing or despair.
A grief-stricken figure approaches King Ṛtuparṇa and enters his service. He becomes the king’s charioteer and thereby earns his maintenance, a key step in the unfolding account narrated to Yudhiṣṭhira.