Shloka 77
नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
तस्य मां तनयां सर्वे जानीत द्विजसत्तमा: । निषधाधिपतिर्धीमान् नलो नाम महायशा:,'द्विजवरो! आप सब महात्मा जान लें, मैं उन्हीं महाराजकी पुत्री हूँ। निषधदेशके स्वामी, संग्रामविजयी, वीर, विद्वान, बुद्धिमान, प्रजापालक महायशस्वी राजा नल मेरे पति हैं। वे देवताओंके पूजनमें संलग्न रहते हैं और ब्राह्मणोंके प्रति उनके हृदयमें बड़ा स्नेह है
Bṛhadaśva uvāca: tasya māṁ tanayāṁ sarve jānīta dvijasattamāḥ | niṣadhādhipatir dhīmān nalo nāma mahāyaśāḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “O best of twice-born ones, know all of you that I am his daughter. My husband is the famed King Nala—wise and illustrious—lord of Niṣadha, victorious in battle, heroic, learned, discerning, and a protector of his people. He is devoted to the worship of the gods, and his heart is filled with deep affection for the brāhmaṇas.”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ethical ideal of kingship: true royal excellence combines prowess and learning with dharmic conduct—devotion to the gods, protection of subjects, and reverence toward brāhmaṇas—so that fame (yaśas) rests on virtue rather than mere power.
The speaker identifies herself as someone’s daughter and then introduces her husband, King Nala of Niṣadha, praising his qualities—wisdom, valor, learning, and piety—thereby establishing Nala’s stature and moral character within the unfolding Nala narrative in the Vana Parva.