Shloka 5
Parṇāda’s Report; Bāhuka’s Counsel; Damayantī’s Strategic Svayaṃvara Message (अध्याय ६८)
इत्युक्तास्ते ययु्ष्टा ब्राह्मणा: सर्वतो दिशम्,राजाके ऐसा कहनेपर वे सब ब्राह्मण बड़े प्रसन्न होकर सब दिशाओंमें चले गये और नगर तथा राष्ट्रोमें पत्नीसहित निषधनरेश नलका अनुसंधान करने लगे; परंतु कहीं भी वे नल अथवा भीमकुमारी दमयन्तीको नहीं देख पाते थे। तदनन्तर सुदेव नामक ब्राह्मणने पता लगाते हुए रमणीय चेदिनगरीमें जाकर वहाँ राजमहलमें विदर्भकुमारी दमयन्तीको देखा
ity uktās te yayuṣṭā brāhmaṇāḥ sarvato diśam | rājñā evaṃ ukte te sarve brāhmaṇāḥ prasannāḥ sarvā diśo jagmuḥ nagareṣu ca rāṣṭreṣu ca patnīsahitaṃ niṣadhanareśaṃ nalaṃ anvaiṣanta | na ca kvacid api te nalaṃ vā bhīmakumārīṃ damayantīṃ vā dadṛśuḥ | tad-anantaraṃ sudeva-nāmā brāhmaṇaḥ anvaiṣan ramaṇīyāṃ cedi-nagarīṃ gatvā tatra rāja-mahale vidarbha-kumārīṃ damayantīṃ dadarśa |
Bṛhadaśva said: When the king had spoken thus, those brāhmaṇas—well-disposed and pleased—set out in every direction. They searched through towns and kingdoms for Nala, the Niṣadha king, who had been reduced to poverty and was accompanied by his wife. Yet nowhere could they find either Nala or Damayantī, the daughter of Bhīma. After that, a brāhmaṇa named Sudeva, continuing the search, went to the lovely city of the Cedis; there, in the royal palace, he saw Damayantī, the princess of Vidarbha.
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights steadfast effort and compassionate duty: learned people respond to a righteous request, search diligently without despair, and continue until the separated are brought toward reunion—illustrating perseverance and support for those fallen into misfortune.
After being instructed by the king, the brāhmaṇas disperse to search for the impoverished Nala and Damayantī. They fail to find them anywhere, but Sudeva eventually reaches the Cedi capital and sees Damayantī in the royal palace.