Shloka 18
कर्कोटक-उपदेशः
Karkoṭaka’s Counsel and Nala’s Concealment
एवं तु विलपन्ती सा राज्ञो भार्या महात्मन: । अन्वेषमाणा भार्तरं बने श्वापदसेविते,इस प्रकार विलाप करती तथा हिंख्र जन्तुओंसे भरे हुए वनमें अपने पतिको ढूँढ़ती हुई महामना राजा नलकी पत्नी भीमकुमारी दमयन्ती उन्मत्त हुई रोती-बिलखती और “हा राजन! हा महाराज” ऐसा बार-बार कहती हुई इधर-उधर दौड़ने लगी
evaṃ tu vilapantī sā rājño bhāryā mahātmanaḥ | anveṣamāṇā bhartāraṃ vane śvāpadasevite ||
Thus lamenting, the noble wife of the great-souled king, searching for her husband in a forest frequented by wild beasts, wandered about in anguish—crying and weeping as she ran here and there, repeatedly calling out, “O king! O great king!” The scene underscores steadfast marital fidelity and the moral endurance demanded by adversity.
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच