Shloka 10
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
आकाशदेशमासाद्य विमुक्तं कृष्णवर्त्मना । उत्स्रष्टकामं त॑ नाग: पुन: कर्कोटको<ब्रवीत्,अग्निके प्रभावसे रहित आकाश-देशमें पहुँचनेपर जब नलने उस नागको छोड़नेका विचार किया, उस समय कर्कोटकने फिर कहा--
ākāśadeśam āsādya vimuktaṃ kṛṣṇavartmanā | utsraṣṭakāmaṃ taṃ nāgaḥ punaḥ karkoṭako 'bravīt ||
Dijo Bṛhadaśva: Al llegar a un claro abierto bajo el cielo y quedar libre del sendero sombrío, cuando Nala estaba a punto de soltar a la serpiente, el nāga Karkoṭaka le habló de nuevo—señalando que el encuentro no había sido casual, sino portador de un propósito moral deliberado y de un consejo aún por impartir.
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one believes a difficult passage has ended (‘released from the dark path’), dharma often requires listening to further guidance; providential encounters may carry instruction beyond the immediate crisis.
After reaching open space and being freed from a perilous course, Nala is about to release the nāga he has carried; at that moment Karkoṭaka speaks again, indicating he has more to say and that the episode will continue with counsel or a decisive act.