Shloka 22
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
इक्ष्वाकुकुलज: श्रीमान् मित्र चैव भविष्यति । भविष्यसि यदाक्षज्ञ: श्रेयसा योक्ष्यसे तदा,“निषधेश्वर! आप आज ही रमणीय अयोध्यापुरीको चले जाइये। इक्ष्वाकुकुलमें उत्पन्न श्रीमान् राजा ऋतुपर्ण आपसे अश्वविद्याका रहस्य सीखकर बदलेमें आपको चद्यूतक्रीड़ाका रहस्य बतलायेंगे और आपके मित्र भी हो जायँगे। जब आप द्यूतविद्याके ज्ञाता होंगे, तब पुनः कल्याणभागी हो जायँगे
ikṣvākukulajaḥ śrīmān mitraṃ caiva bhaviṣyati | bhaviṣyasi yadākṣajñaḥ śreyasā yokṣyase tadā ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “A fortunate king born in the Ikṣvāku line will become your friend as well. When you become skilled in the knowledge of dice, then you will again be joined with prosperity and well-being.”
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even after a grave fall caused by vice or error (here, gambling), recovery is possible through disciplined learning, wise alliances, and the pursuit of śreyas (true welfare). The verse frames knowledge and friendship as means to regain stability and auspiciousness.
Bṛhadaśva is advising the Niṣadha king (Nala, in context) that an illustrious ruler of the Ikṣvāku line will become his friend; by acquiring expertise in dice-play, Nala will later regain prosperity and good fortune.