Shloka 13
नलस्य विवस्त्रीकरणं दमयन्ती-सहानुगमनं च
Nala’s Disrobing and Damayantī’s Companionship
ततो गतेषु देवेषु कलिब्द्वापरमब्रवीत् | संहर्तु नोत्सहे कोपं नले वत्स्यामि द्वापर,तदनन्तर देवताओंके चले जानेपर कलियुगने द्वापरसे कहा--'द्वापर! मैं अपने क्रोधका उपसंहार नहीं कर सकता। नलके भीतर निवास करूँगा और उन्हें राज्यसे वंचित कर दूँगा। जिससे वे दमयन्तीसे रमण नहीं कर सकेंगे। तुम्हें भी जूएके पासोंमें प्रवेश करके मेरी सहायता करनी चाहिये”
tato gateṣu deveṣu kalir dvāparam abravīt | saṁhartuṁ notsahe kopaṁ nale vatsyāmi dvāpara ||
When the gods had departed, Kali said to Dvāpara: “I am unable to withdraw my wrath. I will dwell within Nala, and through that influence deprive him of his kingdom, so that he will no longer be able to live in joy with Damayantī.” The passage frames Kali’s resolve as a moral corrosion from within—an assault on kingship, self-mastery, and marital harmony—setting the stage for Nala’s ethical trial under adversity.
बु॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unchecked anger and envy seek entry through the mind and character; when a ruler loses inner restraint, outer sovereignty (kingdom, reputation, harmony) becomes vulnerable. The verse highlights the ethical danger of internal corruption rather than merely external enemies.
After the gods leave, Kali confides to Dvāpara that he cannot let go of his anger and decides to inhabit Nala, intending to cause Nala’s downfall—especially the loss of kingdom and marital happiness with Damayantī—thereby initiating the crisis of the Nala story.