Shloka 456
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
दमयन्त्या सह नलो विजहारामरोपम: । तदनन्तर देवतुल्य राजा नलने दमयन्तीके साथ रमणीय वनों और उपवनोंमें विहार किया
damayantyā saha nalo vijahārāmaropamaḥ | tadanantaraṁ devatulyo rājā nalaḥ damayantyā saha ramaṇīyeṣu vaneṣu copavaneṣu ca vihāraṁ cakāra |
Bṛhadaśva said: Nala, godlike in splendor, sported together with Damayantī. Thereafter, the king—equal to the gods in bearing—wandered and took delight with Damayantī in charming forests and pleasure-groves. The passage underscores the harmony of rightful companionship and the calm prosperity that follows when a ruler’s life is aligned with affection, restraint, and dharma.
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents harmonious companionship within marriage and suggests that rightful enjoyment (vihāra) is appropriate when grounded in dignity and dharma—especially for a king whose personal conduct models balance and restraint.
Bṛhadaśva describes Nala and Damayantī enjoying each other’s company, roaming through beautiful forests and groves in a period of happiness and prosperity.