Shloka 18
Akṣa-hṛdaya-dāna and Phalāśruti of the Nalopākhyāna (अक्षहृदयदानम् / नलोपाख्यान-फलश्रुतिः)
पणाव: किं व्याहरसे जितो न व्याहरिष्यसि । ततः प्रावर्तत द्यूतं पुष्करस्य नलस्य च,“अब हम दोनों जूआ प्रारम्भ करें, तुम अभी व्यर्थ बकवाद क्यों करते हो? हार जानेपर ऐसी बातें न कर सकोगे।” तदनन्तर पुष्कर तथा राजा नलमें एक ही दाँव लगानेकी शर्त रखकर जूएका खेल प्रारम्भ हुआ। तब वीर नलने पुष्करको हरा दिया। पुष्करने रत्न, खजाना तथा प्राणोंतककी बाजी लगा दी थी
Bṛhadaśva uvāca | paṇāvāḥ kiṁ vyāharase jito na vyāhariṣyasi | tataḥ prāvartata dyūtaṁ puṣkarasya nalasya ca |
Bṛhadaśva said: “Why do you keep speaking at the stake? Once you are defeated, you will not be able to speak so.” Thereupon the game of dice commenced between Puṣkara and King Nala. The play proceeded on the condition of a single, matched stake; and in that bout the valiant Nala overcame Puṣkara, who had wagered riches—gems, treasury, and even his very life.
बृहदश्चव उवाच