Shloka 8
दमयन्त्याः अरण्यविहारः — Damayantī’s Passage through the Wilderness
पुष्करस्तु महाराज घोषयामास वै पुरे । नले य: सम्यगातिछेत् स गच्छेद् वध्यतां मम,महाराज! पुष्करने उस नगरमें यह घोषणा करा दी--डुग्गी पिटवा दी कि “जो नलके साथ अच्छा बर्ताव करेगा, वह मेरा वध्य होगा”
Puṣkaras tu mahārāja ghoṣayāmāsa vai pure | nale yaḥ samyag āticchet sa gacched vadhyatāṁ mama ||
Namun Mahārāja Puṣkara membuat maklumat di seluruh kota: “Siapa pun yang memperlakukan Nala dengan baik, atas perintahku akan dihukum mati.”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power used to criminalize basic decency is a mark of adharma. The verse highlights how envy and insecurity can lead a ruler to enforce injustice, attempting to control not only actions but also goodwill and social support.
Puṣkara, having gained dominance, orders a public proclamation in the city that anyone who treats Nala well will be executed. The intent is to isolate Nala, prevent assistance, and consolidate Puṣkara’s control through fear.