Shloka 78
नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
वीर: संग्रामजिद् विद्वान् मम भर्ता विशाम्पति: । देवताभ्यर्चनपरो द्विजातिजनवत्सल:,'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
vīraḥ saṅgrāmajid vidvān mama bhartā viśāmpatiḥ | devatābhyarcanaparo dvijātijanavatsalaḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “My husband is a hero, a conqueror in battle, and a learned man—the lord of the people. He is devoted to worship of the gods, and he is deeply affectionate toward the twice-born (Brahmins).”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents an ideal of righteous kingship: a ruler should unite martial excellence and learning with devotion to the gods and respectful care for Brahmins—signs of dharmic governance and moral legitimacy.
In the Nala–Damayantī episode, Nala is being described through his qualities. The speaker highlights his battlefield success, wisdom, and piety, emphasizing his suitability as a king and husband within the epic’s ethical framework.