Shloka 15
दमयन्ती–बाहुकसंवादः
Damayantī’s Dialogue with Bāhuka; Recognition and Disclosure
न चान्य: पुरुष: वश्रिन्नलं वेत्ति यशस्विनि । गूढश्चरति लोके5स्मिन् नष्टरूपे महीपति:,यशस्विनि! दूसरा कोई पुरुष भी नलको नहीं जानता। राजा नलका पहला रूप अदृश्य हो गया है। वे इस जगत्में गूढ़भावसे विचरते हैं
na cānyaḥ puruṣaḥ vṛśrinn alaṃ vetti yaśasvini | gūḍhaś carati loke 'smin naṣṭarūpe mahīpatiḥ ||
Dijo Bāhaka: «Y ningún otro hombre, oh dama ilustre, conoce de veras a Nala. La antigua apariencia del rey se ha desvanecido; en este mundo vaga oculto, con la identidad encubierta».
बाहक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how suffering and circumstance can obscure one’s outward identity, yet inner truth remains; it also cautions against judging solely by appearance and underscores the ethical need for discernment and patience in seeking what is real.
Bāhuka (Nala in disguise) tells the addressed lady that no one else truly recognizes Nala, because the king’s former appearance has disappeared and he now moves through the world hidden and unrecognized.