Shloka 71
Sudeva Identifies Damayantī in Cedi (सुदेवेन दमयन्ती-परिचयः)
“मैं अपने पतिकी खोजके लिये केवल ब्राह्मणोंसे मिल सकती हूँ। यदि यहाँ ऐसी व्यवस्था हो सके तो निश्चय ही आपके निकट निवास करूँगी। इसमें संशय नहीं है ।। अतोडन्यथा न मे वासो वर्तते हृदये क्वचित् । तां प्रहवशेन मनसा राजमातेदमब्रवीत्,“यदि इसके विपरीत कोई बात हो तो कहीं भी रहनेका मेरे मनमें संकल्प नहीं हो सकता।' यह सुनकर राजमाता प्रसन्नचित्त होकर उससे बोली--
bṛhadaśva uvāca— “ahaṃ sva-pateḥ khojanārthaṃ kevalaṃ brāhmaṇaiḥ saha saṃmilituṃ śaknomi. yadi iha tādṛśī vyavasthā bhavet, niścayenaiva yuṣmākaṃ nikaṭe nivatsyāmi; atra saṃśayo nāsti. ato ’nyathā na me vāso vartate hṛdaye kvacit.” tāṃ prahṛṣṭena manasā rājamātā idam abravīt— “yadi etad-viparītaṃ kiñcid bhavet, tarhi kvacid api vastum mama manasi saṅkalpo na bhavati.” iti śrutvā rājamātā prasanna-cittā bhūtvā tasyai uvāca—
Dijo Bṛhadaśva: «Para buscar a mi esposo, sólo puedo tratar con bráhmanas. Si aquí puede disponerse tal cosa, entonces viviré sin falta cerca de ti—no hay duda. De otro modo, mi corazón no consentirá en morar en lugar alguno». Al oírlo, la reina madre, con el ánimo complacido, le respondió: «Si ocurriera algo contrario a esto, tampoco yo tendría resolución de quedarme en ninguna parte». Así habló la reina madre con el corazón satisfecho.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic resolve and propriety: the speaker insists on pursuing a legitimate goal (searching for her husband) through socially sanctioned and safe association (with Brahmins), and refuses comfort or residence if that ethical condition cannot be met. The queen-mother’s pleased response underscores the value placed on principled living and honoring such constraints.
A woman (as presented in the dialogue) states that she can remain nearby only if arrangements allow her to meet exclusively with Brahmins while searching for her husband. She declares she will not stay anywhere otherwise. The queen-mother, pleased, responds sympathetically and prepares to speak further, indicating support for the requested arrangement.