Shloka 29
कर्कोटक-उपदेशः
Karkoṭaka’s Counsel and Nala’s Concealment
मोक्षयित्वा स तां व्याध: प्रक्षाल्य सलिलेन ह । समाश्वास्य कृताहारामथ पप्रच्छ भारत,उस विशाल नयनोंवाली युवतीको अजगरके द्वारा उस प्रकार निगली जाती हुई देख व्याधने बड़ी उतावलीके साथ वेगसे दौड़कर तीखे शस्त्रसे शीघ्र ही उस अजगरका मुख फाड़ दिया। वह अजगर छटपटाकर चेष्टारहित हो गया। मृगोंको मारकर जीविका चलानेवाले उस व्याधने सर्पके टुकड़े-टुकड़े करके दमयन्तीको छुड़ाया। फिर जलसे उसके सर्पग्रस्त शरीरको धोकर उसे आश्वासन दे उसके लिये भोजनकी व्यवस्था कर दी। भारत! जब वह भोजन कर चुकी, तब व्याधने उससे पूछा---
mokṣayitvā sa tāṃ vyādhaḥ prakṣālya salilena ha | samāśvāsya kṛtāhārām atha papraccha bhārata ||
Having freed her, the hunter washed her with water, soothed and reassured her, and arranged food for her. Then, O Bhārata, when she had eaten, he questioned her—framing the episode as an act of urgent compassion and practical care, where immediate protection and restoration of dignity take precedence over fear or social judgment.
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct in crisis: rescue first, then cleanse, reassure, and provide sustenance. Ethical action is shown as practical compassion—restoring safety and dignity before inquiry.
After freeing the woman, the hunter washes her with water, comforts her, arranges food, and once she has eaten, he begins to ask her questions about who she is and what has happened.