Shloka 20
नलस्य पुष्करजयो द्यूते
Nala’s Victory over Puṣkara in the Dice-Game
ऋतुपर्णे गते राजन् नलो राजा विशाम्पते । नगरे कुण्डिने काल॑ नातिदीर्घमिवावसत्,राजन! ऋतुपर्णके चले जानेपर राजा नल कुण्डिनपुरमें कुछ समयतक रहे। वह काल उन्हें थोड़े समयके समान ही प्रतीत हुआ
ṛtuparṇe gate rājan nalo rājā viśāmpate | nagare kuṇḍine kālaṃ nātidīrgham ivāvasat ||
Dijo Nala: «Oh rey, cuando Ṛtuparṇa hubo partido, el rey Nala, señor de los pueblos, permaneció algún tiempo en la ciudad de Kuṇḍina. Sin embargo, aquel intervalo no le pareció largo; pasó como si fuera apenas un instante».
नल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner absorption—especially in a period of intense concern and purpose—can make time feel shortened. Ethically, it reflects steadiness and restraint: Nala does not act rashly but endures a necessary interval, showing patience amid separation and uncertainty.
After King Ṛtuparṇa leaves, Nala remains in Kuṇḍina for a while. The narrator emphasizes that this stay felt brief to Nala, marking a transition in the Nala–Damayantī episode as events move forward after Ṛtuparṇa’s departure.