Shloka 24
दमयन्ती–बाहुकसंवादः
Damayantī’s Dialogue with Bāhuka; Recognition and Disclosure
स निगृह्यात्मनो दुःखं दहुमानो महीपति: । वाष्पसंदिग्धया वाचा पुनरेवेदमब्रवीत्,निषधनरेश शोकाग्निसे दग्ध हो रहे थे, तो भी उन्होंने अपने दुःखके वेगको रोककर अश्रुगदगद वाणीमें पुनः: यों कहना आरम्भ किया
sa nigṛhyātmano duḥkhaṃ dahyamāno mahīpatiḥ | vāṣpa-saṃdigdhyayā vācā punar evedam abravīt ||
Though the king was burning inwardly with grief, he restrained the surge of his sorrow. Then, with a voice choked and blurred by tears, he began to speak again—showing the ethical ideal of self-control even amid overwhelming anguish.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when grief is intense, one should strive to restrain its outward force and speak with composure; the verse highlights inner discipline (nigraha) as a royal and ethical virtue.
Bṛhadaśva describes a king who, though tormented by sorrow, checks his emotions and resumes speaking, his words still thick with tears—setting up the continuation of the story that follows.