Shloka 52
Adhyāya 76: Kuṇḍina-praveśaḥ, Bhīmena satkāraḥ, Ṛtuparṇa-kṣamā, Aśvahṛdaya-pratyarpanam
Nala’s Reception and Reconciliation
दमयन्त्यपि भर्तारमासाद्याप्यायिता भृशम् | अर्धसंजातसस्येव तोयं प्राप्प वसुंधरा,जैसे आधी जमी हुई खेतीसे भरी वसुधा वर्षाका जल पाकर उल्लसित हो उठती है, उसी प्रकार दमयन्ती भी अपने पतिको पाकर बहुत संतुष्ट हुई
bṛhadaśva uvāca | damayanty api bhartāram āsādya āpyāyitā bhṛśam | ardhasaṃjātasasyeva toyaṃ prāpya vasuṃdharā ||
Bṛhadaśva said: Even Damayantī, on reaching her husband, was greatly refreshed and fulfilled—just as the earth, bearing a crop only half-grown, rejoices and swells with life when it receives water. The verse underscores the restorative power of reunion and steadfast marital fidelity after hardship.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how steadfast love and rightful reunion can restore a person after suffering, using the ethical ideal of pativratā-dharma (devoted marital fidelity) and the image of life returning to parched or incomplete growth when it receives what it needs.
In the Nala–Damayantī episode narrated by Bṛhadaśva, Damayantī finally reaches her husband after separation; her joy and renewed strength are compared to the earth enlivened by rain that helps a half-grown crop flourish.