Nala’s Embassy to Damayantī and the Gods’ Proposal (नलस्य दूतत्वं देवप्रस्तावश्च)
कदा द्रक्ष्यामि बीभत्सुं कृतास्त्रं पुनरागतम् । प्रियवादिनमक्षुद्रं दयायुक्तमतन्द्रित:,“मैं सदा निरालस्यभावसे यही सोचा करता हूँ कि श्रेष्ठ, दयालु और प्रियवादी अर्जुन कब अस्त्रविद्या सीखकर फिर यहाँ आयेगा और मैं उसे भर आँख देखूँगा
kadā drakṣyāmi bībhatsuṁ kṛtāstraṁ punarāgatam | priyavādinaṁ akṣudraṁ dayāyuktam atandritaḥ ||
Kapan aku akan melihat Bībhatsu (Arjuna) kembali—setelah menuntaskan ilmu senjata—lembut tutur katanya, luhur dan tak picik, penuh welas asih, serta senantiasa waspada? Kerinduan itu terus kupikirkan tanpa henti.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse praises an ideal warrior’s dharmic qualities: mastery of arms should be joined with compassion, noble-mindedness, pleasing speech, and tireless vigilance—ethical character is presented as inseparable from martial excellence.
The speaker expresses eager anticipation to see Arjuna again after he has completed his weapons-training and returned, emphasizing Arjuna’s admirable virtues alongside his acquired martial skill.