Shloka 6
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
इसी प्रकार उन दिनों विदर्भदेशमें भयानक पराक्रमी भीम नामक राजा राज्य करते थे। वे शूरवीर और सर्व-सद्गुणसम्पन्न थे। उन्हें कोई संतान नहीं थी। अतः संतानप्राप्तिकी कामना उनके हृदयमें सदा बनी रहती थी ।। स प्रजार्थे परं यत्नमकरोत् सुसमाहितः । तमभ्यगच्छद् ब्रद्मर्षिदमनो नाम भारत,भारत! राजा भीमने अत्यन्त एकाग्रचित्त होकर संतानप्राप्तिके लिये महान् प्रयत्न किया। उन्हीं दिनों उनके यहाँ दमन नामक ब्रह्मर्षि पधारे
sa prajā-arthe paraṁ yatnam akarot susamāhitaḥ | tam abhyagacchad brahmarṣir damano nāma bhārata ||
King Bhīma of Vidarbha, a formidable and heroic ruler endowed with every noble virtue, remained without an heir. With an unceasing longing for offspring, he undertook the highest effort with concentrated mind. At that time, O Bhārata, a brahmarṣi named Damana came to him—signaling that the king’s righteous desire for lineage would now be guided through ascetic and spiritual counsel rather than mere worldly power.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even legitimate aims like securing an heir should be pursued through disciplined effort and inner composure; royal power alone is insufficient, and guidance from sages aligns personal desire with dharma.
The text introduces King Bhīma of Vidarbha, who has no children and therefore strives intensely for progeny; at this juncture the brahmarṣi Damana arrives, setting up the next development through spiritual intervention.