Shloka 1
नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
#::73:.8 #::3:..7 () हि २ 7 चतु:षष्टितमो<5 ध्याय: दमयन्तीका विलाप और प्रलाप, तपस्वियोंद्वारा दमयन्तीको आश्वासन तथा उसकी व्यापारियोंके दलसे भेंट बृहृदश्च उवाच सा निहत्य मृगव्याधं प्रतस्थे कमलेक्षणा । वन॑ प्रतिभयं शून्यं झेल्लिकागणनादितम्,बृहदश्वच मुनि कहते हैं--राजन्! व्याधका विनाश करके वह कमलनयनी राजकुमारी झिल्लियोंकी झंकारसे गूँजते हुए निर्जन एवं भयंकर वनमें आगे बढ़ी
bṛhadaśva uvāca | sā nihatya mṛgavyādhaṃ pratasthē kamalēkṣaṇā | vanaṃ pratibhayaṃ śūnyaṃ jhellikāgaṇanāditam ||
Bṛhadaśva said: Having slain the hunter, the lotus-eyed princess set forth. She moved onward into a deserted and terrifying forest, resounding with the chirring of crickets—undaunted, yet surrounded by the stark loneliness and danger that test endurance and resolve.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness under threat: even in isolation and fear, one must uphold self-protection and moral resolve. Damayantī’s onward journey after defending herself underscores endurance and the willingness to face hardship without abandoning purpose.
After killing a predatory hunter who threatened her, Damayantī continues alone through a deserted, frightening forest, described as echoing with the sound of crickets—setting the tone for her vulnerability and determination in the wilderness.