Shloka 5
दमयन्त्या वणिजां सार्थगमनम्, हस्तियूथविप्लवः, चेदिराजपुरप्रवेशश्च
Damayantī joins a caravan; elephant-herd catastrophe; entry into Cedi
तां सभामुपसम्प्राप्प तदा स निषधाधिप: । वैदर्भ्या सहितो राजा निषसाद महीतले,तब उस धर्मशालामें पहुँचकर निषधनरेश राजा नल वैदर्भके साथ भूतलपर बैठे
tāṁ sabhām upasamprāpya tadā sa niṣadhādhipaḥ | vaidarbhyā sahito rājā niṣasāda mahītale ||
Having then reached that hall (the dharma-śālā), King Nala, lord of Niṣadha, accompanied by the princess of Vidarbha (Damayantī), sat down upon the ground. The scene underscores humility and endurance: even a king, in hardship, accepts simple shelter and a low seat, aligning conduct with dharma rather than pride.
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic humility and resilience: status does not justify arrogance, and in adversity one should accept simple means without losing dignity or righteousness.
Bṛhadaśva narrates that Nala, traveling with Damayantī, arrives at a hall used as a shelter (dharma-śālā) and sits down on the ground, indicating their reduced circumstances during hardship.