Shloka 3
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
ब्रह्मण्यो वेदविच्छूरो निषधेषु महीपति: । अक्षप्रिय: सत्यवादी महानक्षौहिणीपति:,जैसे देवराज इन्द्र सम्पूर्ण देवताओंके शिरमौर हैं, उसी प्रकार राजा नलका स्थान समस्त राजाओंके ऊपर था। वे तेजमें भगवान् सूर्यके समान सर्वोपरि थे। निषधदेशके महाराज नल बड़े ब्राह्मणभक्त, वेदवेत्ता, शूरवीर, द्यूत-क्रीड़ाके प्रेमी, सत्यवादी, महान् और एक अक्षौहिणी सेनाके स्वामी थे
bṛhadaśva uvāca | brahmaṇyo vedavic chūro niṣadheṣu mahīpatiḥ | akṣapriyaḥ satyavādī mahān akṣauhiṇīpatiḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva said: King Nala, ruler among the Niṣadhas, was devoted to Brahmins, learned in the Vedas, and a valiant hero. Fond of the dice-game yet steadfast in truth, he was a great monarch, commanding the forces of an akṣauhiṇī—preeminent among kings in rank and radiance.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames ideal kingship as a blend of dharmic virtues—reverence for Brahmins and sacred learning, Vedic knowledge, courage, truthfulness, and responsible sovereignty—while also hinting at a moral vulnerability: fondness for dice, a pleasure that can endanger even a great ruler.
Bṛhadaśva introduces and praises King Nala by listing his qualities and status: he rules Niṣadha, is learned and brave, speaks truth, and commands a major army. This sets up Nala’s stature before later events test him, especially through the lure of gambling.