Shloka 9
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
एवमुक्त्वा स नागेन्द्रो बभूवाड्गुष्ठमात्रक: । त॑ गृहीत्वा नलः प्रायाद् देशं दावविवर्जितम्,इतना कहकर नागराज कर्कोटक अँगूठेके बराबर हो गया। उसे लेकर राजा नल वनके उस प्रदेशकी ओर चले गये, जहाँ दावानल नहीं था
evam uktvā sa nāgendro babhūvāṅguṣṭha-mātrakaḥ | taṁ gṛhītvā nalaḥ prāyād deśaṁ dāvavivarjitam ||
Setelah berkata demikian, sang raja nāga menjadi sebesar ibu jari. Nala menggenggamnya lalu berangkat menuju bagian hutan yang bebas dari kobaran api rimba.
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Practical dharma in crisis: accept timely help, act with prudence, and move away from avoidable danger. The verse highlights wise risk-avoidance and the value of protective alliances even in adversity.
After speaking, the nāga-king Karkoṭaka reduces himself to thumb-size so he can be carried. Nala takes him and proceeds to a part of the forest that is not afflicted by wildfire.