Shloka 42
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
भीमेन समनुज्ञातो जगाम नगरं स्वकम् | मनुष्योंमें श्रेष्ठ निषधनरेश नल अपनी इच्छाके अनुसार कुछ दिनोंतक ससुरालमें रहे, फिर विदर्भनरेश भीमकी आज्ञा ले (दमयन्तीसहित) अपनी राजधानीको चले गये ।। ४१६ || अवाप्य नारीरल्नं तु पुण्यश्लोकोडपि पार्थिव:
bhīmena samanujñāto jagāma nagaraṃ svakam | manuṣyeṣu śreṣṭho niṣadhanareśo nalaḥ svecchayā katipayāni dināni sasurāle 'vasat, tataḥ vidarbhanareśa-bhīmasyājñāṃ gṛhītvā (damayantyā saha) svāṃ rājadhānīṃ jagāma || avāpya nārīratnaṃ tu puṇyaśloko 'pi pārthivaḥ ||
ビーマの許しを得て、ニシャダ国の王ナラ――人々のうち最勝と数えられる者――は自らの都へと旅立った。彼は望むままにしばらく岳父の館に逗留し、そののちヴィダルバの王ビーマに暇乞いして、ダマヤンティーとともに王都へ向かった。かくして名高く徳あるその王は、「女の中の宝珠」を得たのち、親族の絆と与えられた同意を尊び、礼を尽くし感謝をもって故国へ帰還した。
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in personal happiness—here, Nala’s reunion and return with Damayantī—dharma is upheld through proper leave-taking, respect for elders and in-laws, and acting with consent and gratitude. The verse models ethical kingship and family propriety rather than impulsive possession.
After staying a few days at his father-in-law Bhīma’s court in Vidarbha, King Nala receives Bhīma’s permission and departs with Damayantī to his own capital in Niṣadha.