Shloka 4
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
स नाग: प्राञ्जलि भूत्वा वेपमानो नलं तदा | उवाच मां विद्धि राजन् नाग॑ कर्कोटकं नृूप
sa nāgaḥ prāñjali bhūtvā vepamāno nalaṃ tadā | uvāca māṃ viddhi rājan nāgaḥ karkoṭakaṃ nṛpa ||
Then that serpent, trembling and with hands joined in reverence, addressed Nala: “O king, know me—I am the serpent Karkoṭaka, O ruler.” The moment underscores a shift from fear and concealment to truthful self-disclosure, framed by respectful conduct toward a righteous king.
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even powerful beings should approach the righteous with humility and truth. The nāga’s folded hands and self-identification highlight ethical conduct—respect, honesty, and accountability—especially at moments of fear or crisis.
A serpent-being approaches Nala in a trembling, supplicant posture and reveals his identity, declaring himself to be Karkoṭaka. This disclosure sets up the next development in their interaction and signals that the encounter has moral and narrative significance.