Shloka 22
कलेर्द्वापरस्य च नले प्रति कोपः
Kali and Dvāpara’s Resolve Against Nala
नल उवाच नल॑ मां विद्धि कल्याणि देवदूतमिहागतम्,नलने कहा--कल्याणि! तुम मुझे नल समझो। मैं देवताओंका दूत बनकर यहाँ आया हूँ। इन्द्र, अग्नि, वरुण और यम देवता तुम्हें प्राप्त करना चाहते हैं। शोभने! तुम उनमेंसे किसी एकको अपना पति चुन लो
nala uvāca | nalaṁ māṁ viddhi kalyāṇi devadūtam ihāgatam | indro 'gnir varuṇo yamaś ca devās tvāṁ prāptum icchanti | śobhane teṣām ekatamaṁ patiṁ vṛṇīṣva ||
Nala said: “O auspicious lady, know me to be Nala, who has come here as a messenger of the gods. Indra, Agni, Varuṇa, and Yama desire to win you. O radiant one, choose one of them as your husband.”
नल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dūta-dharma (the duty of a messenger) and satya (truthfulness): Nala openly identifies himself and faithfully conveys the gods’ proposal, even though it conflicts with his personal desire. It also frames the ethical weight of choice in a svayaṃvara, where consent and discernment are central.
On the eve of Damayantī’s svayaṃvara, Nala has entered her quarters and speaks to her directly. He declares that he has come as the gods’ envoy and reports that Indra, Agni, Varuṇa, and Yama wish to marry her, urging her to choose one of them.