Shloka 22
दमयन्त्या वणिजां सार्थगमनम्, हस्तियूथविप्लवः, चेदिराजपुरप्रवेशश्च
Damayantī joins a caravan; elephant-herd catastrophe; entry into Cedi
इयं वस्त्रावकर्तेन संवीता चारुहासिनी । उन्मत्तेव वरारोहा कथं बुद्ध्वा भविष्यति,“यह मनोहर हास्यवाली सुन्दरी वस्त्रके आधे टुकड़ेसे लिपटी हुई सो रही है। जब इसकी नींद खुलेगी, तब पगली-सी होकर न जाने यह कैसी दशाको पहुँच जायगी
iyaṁ vastrāvakartena saṁvītā cāru-hāsinī | unmattā iva varārohā kathaṁ buddhvā bhaviṣyati ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “This lovely, sweet-smiling maiden lies wrapped only in a torn half-piece of cloth. When she awakens and comes to her senses, how will she fare—like one distraught and bewildered?”
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical sensitivity toward a vulnerable person: seeing another’s exposure and helplessness should evoke concern and protective responsibility, not indifference. It underscores compassion and the duty to prevent further harm when someone is unconscious or unaware.
Bṛhadaśva describes a beautiful young woman lying asleep, inadequately covered by a torn piece of cloth. He anticipates her distress upon waking and realizing her condition, expressing apprehension about the mental shock and confusion she may experience.