Shloka 25
Adhyāya 76: Kuṇḍina-praveśaḥ, Bhīmena satkāraḥ, Ṛtuparṇa-kṣamā, Aśvahṛdaya-pratyarpanam
Nala’s Reception and Reconciliation
दमयन्ती तु तच्छुत्वा नलस्य परिदेवितम् । प्राउजलिवेपमाना च भीता वचनमत्रवीत्,दमयन्ती नलका यह विलाप सुनकर काँप उठी और भयभीत हो हाथ जोड़कर यह वचन बोली
damayantī tu tac chrutvā nalasya paridevitam | prāñjalir vepamānā ca bhītā vacanam abravīt ||
Al oír el lamento de Nala, Damayantī se estremeció. Aterrada, juntó las manos en señal de reverencia y habló—palabras nacidas del miedo, de la inquietud y de una firme fidelidad al dharma en medio de la aflicción.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic response to suffering: when confronted with another’s anguish, one should respond with humility (folded hands), restraint, and compassionate speech rather than anger or rashness.
Bṛhadaśva narrates that Damayantī hears Nala’s lament. Overcome with fear and trembling, she joins her hands and begins to speak, marking a tense moment of recognition and emotional crisis in the Nala–Damayantī story.