Shloka 4
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
ईप्सितो वरनारीणामुदार: संयतेन्द्रिय: । रक्षिता धन्विनां श्रेष्ठ: साक्षादिव मनु: स्वयम्,वे श्रेष्ठ स्त्रियोंकोी प्रिय थे और उदार, जितेन्द्रिय, प्रजाजनोंके रक्षक तथा साक्षात् मनुके समान धनुर्धरोंमें उत्तम थे
īpsito varanārīṇām udāraḥ saṃyatendriyaḥ | rakṣitā dhanvināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ sākṣād iva manuḥ svayam ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “He was dearly desired by noble women; generous and self-restrained, a protector of his subjects, and the foremost among archers—like Manu himself in visible form.”
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse sketches the ethical ideal of rulership: popularity grounded in virtue, generosity tempered by self-restraint, and the king’s primary duty as protector of the people—so exemplary that he is compared to Manu, the paradigm of righteous law and governance.
Bṛhadaśva is praising a heroic figure by listing his qualities—beloved by noble women, disciplined in conduct, a guardian of his subjects, and the best among archers—elevating him through the comparison to Manu to signal exemplary dharmic stature.