Shloka 26
Adhyāya 76: Kuṇḍina-praveśaḥ, Bhīmena satkāraḥ, Ṛtuparṇa-kṣamā, Aśvahṛdaya-pratyarpanam
Nala’s Reception and Reconciliation
दमयन्त्युवाच न मा्महसि कल्याण दोषेण परिशड्कितुम् । मया हि देवानुत्सृज्य वृतस्त्वं निषधाधिप,दमयन्तीने कहा--कल्याणमय निषधनरेश! आपको मुझपर दोषारोपण करते हुए मेरे चरित्रपर संदेह नहीं करना चाहिये। (आपके प्रति अनन्य प्रेमके कारण ही) मैंने देवताओंको छोड़कर आपका वरण किया है
damayanty uvāca — na māṁ arhasi kalyāṇa doṣeṇa pariśaṅkitum | mayā hi devān utsṛjya vṛtas tvaṁ niṣadhādhipa ||
Damayantī berkata: “Wahai raja Niṣadha yang mulia, janganlah engkau mencurigai aku bersalah atau meragukan kesucianku. Aku telah mengesampingkan bahkan para dewa dan memilih engkau.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes ethical restraint in judgment: one should not hastily suspect or malign another’s character, especially when prior actions demonstrate loyalty and integrity. Trust within marriage is upheld as a dharmic duty.
Damayantī addresses the king of Niṣadha (Nala), defending her chastity and sincerity. She reminds him that she chose him even over divine suitors, using that decisive act as proof of her unwavering commitment.