Shloka 19
Sudeva Identifies Damayantī in Cedi (सुदेवेन दमयन्ती-परिचयः)
तस्मिंस्तथा वर्तमाने दारुणे जनसंक्षये । दमयन्ती च बुबुधे भयसंत्रस्तमानसा,इस प्रकार जब वहाँ भयानक नरसंहार हो रहा था, उसी समय दमयन्ती भी जाग उठी। उसका हृदय भयसे संत्रस्त हो उठा
tasmiṃs tathā vartamāne dāruṇe janasaṃkṣaye | damayantī ca bubudhe bhayasaṃtrastamānasā ||
While that dreadful slaughter of people was unfolding there in that manner, Damayantī too awoke; her mind and heart were shaken and overwhelmed by fear. The verse underscores how violence and mass calamity disturb even the innocent, awakening them to peril and moral urgency.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the psychological and ethical fallout of widespread violence: when society collapses into slaughter, even those not directly fighting are forced into fearful wakefulness. It implicitly cautions that adharma and mass harm ripple outward, disturbing the innocent and demanding vigilance and protection of life.
As a dreadful scene of mass killing/destruction is taking place, Damayantī wakes up and becomes acutely afraid; her mind is shaken by the danger around her. The narration marks a turning point of awareness and heightened tension for her.