Shloka 24
अक्षद्यूतप्रवेशः — Kali’s Entry and the Initiation of the Dice-Contest
कच्चिद् दृष्टा त्वया राजन् दमयन्ती शुचिस्मिता । किमब्रवीच्च न: सर्वान् वद भूमिप तेडनघ,“राजन! क्या तुमने पवित्र मुसकानवाली दमयन्तीको देखा है? पापरहित भूपाल! हम सब लोगोंको उसने क्या संदेश दिया, बताओ”
kaccid dṛṣṭā tvayā rājan damayantī śucismitā | kim abravīc ca naḥ sarvān vada bhūmipa te 'nagha ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “O king, have you seen Damayantī, she of the pure and gentle smile? And what did she say to all of us? Tell us, O blameless lord of the earth.”
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights responsible kingship and moral character through honorifics like “bhūmipa” and “anagha,” while also emphasizing compassionate concern for one who is suffering separation; it models respectful inquiry and attentiveness to another’s message.
Bṛhadaśva asks the king whether he has seen Damayantī and requests a report of what she said to everyone—an anxious inquiry within the Damayantī–Nala episode, where her whereabouts and message are crucial to those seeking her.