Shloka 8
नलस्य दमयन्त्युत्सर्गः
Nala’s Abandonment of Damayantī in the Lodging Hall
न चक्षमे ततो राजा समाह्वानं महामना: । वैदर्भ्या: प्रेक्षमाणाया: पणकालममन्यत,महामना राजा नल द्यूतके लिये पुष्करके आह्वानको न सह सके। विदर्भराजकुमारी दमयन्तीके देखते-देखते उसी क्षण जूआ खेलनेका उपयुक्त अवसर समझ लिया
na cakṣame tato rājā samāhvānaṃ mahāmanāḥ | vaidarbhayāḥ prekṣamāṇāyāḥ paṇakālam amanyata ||
Maka raja yang berhati luhur itu tak sanggup menahan tantangan tersebut. Sementara putri Vidarbha, Damayantī, menyaksikan, ia menganggap saat itu juga sebagai waktu yang tepat untuk memasang taruhan.
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a noble person can be pulled into adharma by pride and provocation; accepting a harmful challenge at an inopportune moment—especially under social pressure—can trigger grave consequences.
Puṣkara’s challenge to gamble is presented; Nala, unable to bear the summons, decides that very moment is the time to stake a wager, while Damayantī looks on.