Shloka 18
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
न ते भयं नरव्याघ्र दंष्टिभ्य: शत्रुतो5पि वा । ब्रह्मविद्धयश्न भविता मत्प्रसादान्नराधिप,“नरव्याप्र महाराज! मेरे प्रसादसे आपको दाढ़ोंवाले जन्तुओं और शत्रुओंसे तथा वेदवेत्ताओंके शाप आदिसे भी कभी भय नहीं होगा
na te bhayaṃ naravyāghra daṃṣṭibhyaḥ śatruto 'pi vā | brahmavid-dhayaśna bhavitā matprasādān narādhipa ||
Bṛhadaśva berkata: “Wahai harimau di antara manusia, engkau takkan takut—baik kepada binatang bertaring maupun kepada musuh. Dan oleh anugerahku, wahai raja, engkau pun akan bebas dari bahaya kutuk serta gangguan lain yang datang dari para brahmavid (para pengenal Brahman/para ahli Weda).”
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the protective power of a righteous boon: a king’s security is not only physical (from beasts and enemies) but also moral-spiritual, since the displeasure or curse of Veda-knowers is portrayed as a serious danger; grace and right relations with the wise remove such fear.
Bṛhadaśva addresses a king with a heroic epithet and assures him of safety. He promises that, due to his favor, the king will be protected from threats in the wilderness and from hostile forces, and will also be safeguarded against the consequences of offending powerful sages.