Shloka 23
अस्या नून॑ पुनर्लाभान्नैषध: प्रीतिमेष्यति । राजा राज्यपरिश्रष्ट: पुनर्लब्ध्वा च मेदिनीम्,जैसे कोई राजा एक बार अपने राज्यसे च्युत होकर फिर उसी राज्यभूमिको प्राप्त कर लेनेपर अत्यन्त आनन्दका अनुभव करता है, उसी प्रकार पुनः इसके मिल जानेपर निषधनरेश नलको निश्चय ही बड़ी प्रसन्नता होगी
asyā nūnaṁ punarlābhān naiṣadhaḥ prītim eṣyati | rājā rājyapariśraṣṭaḥ punarlabdhvā ca medinīm ||
Yudhiṣṭhira said: “Surely, upon regaining her, the king of Niṣadha (Nala) will be filled with joy—just as a ruler, once fallen away from his kingdom, feels profound happiness when he wins back the very earth of his realm.”
युदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical and emotional weight of restoration: recovering what was lost—whether a loved one or rightful sovereignty—brings a deep, rightful joy, and it affirms hope after suffering and separation.
Yudhiṣṭhira reflects on Nala’s likely happiness at regaining Damayantī, comparing it to a dispossessed king who feels immense joy when he recovers his kingdom and land.