Shloka 31
Keśinī’s Inquiry to Bāhuka and the Emotional Signs of Concealed Identity (केशिन्याः बाहुकपरीक्षा)
कलेस्तस्य तदार्तस्य शापाग्नि: स विनि:सृत: । स तेन कर्शितो राजा दीर्घकालमनात्मवान्,द्यूत-विद्याका रहस्य जाननेके अनन्तर नलके शरीरसे कलियुग निकला। तब कर्कोटक नागके तीखे विषको अपने मुखसे बार-बार उगल रहा था। उस समय कष्टमें पड़े हुए कलियुगकी वह शापाग्नि भी दूर हो गयी। राजा नलको उसने दीर्घकालतक कष्ट दिया था और उसीके कारण वे किंकर्तव्यविमूढ हो रहे थे
bṛhadaśva uvāca | kalestasyā tadārtasya śāpāgniḥ sa viniḥsṛtaḥ | sa tena karśito rājā dīrghakālam anātmavān |
Bṛhadaśva said: From that afflicted Kali, the fire of the curse then issued forth and departed. King Nala, long tormented by him, had for a great while lost mastery of himself—bewildered in mind and driven from his proper discernment. The episode underscores how destructive influences and wrongdoing can eclipse self-control, yet also how such affliction can be expelled when the hidden cause is brought to light and countered.
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of losing self-mastery under harmful influences (Kali) and the possibility of release when the force of affliction is driven out; dharma is sustained by vigilance, restraint, and clarity of mind.
Bṛhadaśva narrates that the curse-fire associated with the afflicted Kali comes out and departs; Nala, who had been tormented by Kali for a long time, had become anātmavān—bereft of self-control and mentally bewildered.