Shloka 7
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
उस नागने हाथ जोड़कर काँपते हुए नलसे उस समय इस प्रकार कहा--*राजन्! मुझे कर्कोटक नाग समझिये। नरेश्वर! एक दिन मेरे द्वारा महातपस्वी ब्रह्मर्षि नारद ठगे गये, अतः मनुजेश्वर! उन्होंने क्रोधसे आविष्ट होकर मुझे शाप दे दिया--“तुम स्थावर वृक्षकी भाँति एक जगह पड़े रहो, जब कभी राजा नल आकर तुम्हें यहाँसे अन्यत्र ले जायँगे, तभी तुम मेरे शापसे छुटकारा पा सकोगे” ।। तस्य शापाजन्न शक्तो5स्मि पदाद् विचलितुं पदम् | उपदेक्ष्यामि ते श्रेयस्त्रातुमहति मां भवान्,“राजन! नारदजीके उस शापसे मैं एक पग भी चल नहीं सकता; आप मुझे बचाइये, मैं आपको कल्याणकारी उपदेश दूँगा
bṛhadaśva uvāca— tasya śāpāj na śakto 'smi padād vicalituṃ padam | upadekṣyāmi te śreyas trātum arhati māṃ bhavān ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “Because of that curse, I am unable to move even a single step from where I stand. If you will rescue me, O king, I shall instruct you in what is truly beneficial.” In this moment the serpent appeals to the king’s compassion and sense of dharma: deliverance of one in distress becomes the condition for receiving guidance that leads to welfare.
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Aid to one who is helpless is a kingly duty aligned with dharma; such compassionate action becomes the gateway to śreyas—beneficial counsel that leads to welfare and right conduct.
The serpent (Karkoṭaka), immobilized by Nārada’s curse, tells King Nala he cannot move even a step and asks to be rescued; in return he promises to give Nala guidance that will be for his good.