Shloka 14
दमयन्त्या वणिजां सार्थगमनम्, हस्तियूथविप्लवः, चेदिराजपुरप्रवेशश्च
Damayantī joins a caravan; elephant-herd catastrophe; entry into Cedi
न चैषा तेजसा शक्या कैश्िद् धर्षयितुं पथि । यशस्विनी महाभागा मद्धक्तेयं पतिव्रता,“यह महाभागा यशस्विनी दमयन्ती मेरी भक्त और पतित्रता है। पातिव्रत-तेजके कारण मार्गमें कोई इसका सतीत्व नष्ट नहीं कर सकता”
na caiṣā tejasā śakyā kaiścid dharṣayituṃ pathi | yaśasvinī mahābhāgā madbhakteyaṃ pativratā ||
And on the road no one can violate her, for her spiritual radiance makes her unassailable. This illustrious, greatly fortunate Damayantī is devoted to me and steadfast in wifely fidelity; by the power born of her chastity, her integrity cannot be harmed in the course of her journey.
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse asserts that moral integrity (pativratā-dharma) and devotion generate a protective spiritual force (tejas) that safeguards a person’s dignity; it frames virtue as an active power, not merely a private quality.
Bṛhadaśva reassures his listener about Damayantī’s safety during her difficult journey: despite being alone on the road, no one will be able to outrage her because her fame, devotion, and the power of her fidelity make her inviolable.