Shloka 7
दमयन्त्याः अरण्यविहारः — Damayantī’s Passage through the Wilderness
दमयन्त्येकवस्त्राथ गच्छन्तं पृष्ठतो5न्वगात् । स तया बाह्ुतः सार्थ त्रिरात्रं नैघधोडवसत्,दमयन्तीके शरीरपर भी एक ही वस्त्र था। वह जाते हुए राजा नलके पीछे हो ली। वे उसके साथ नगरसे बाहर तीन राततक टिके रहे
damayanty ekavastrātha gacchantaṁ pṛṣṭhato 'nvagāt | sa tayā bāhutaḥ sārtha trirātraṁ naiṣadho 'vasat |
ブリハダシュヴァは語った。ついでダマヤンティーもまた一枚の衣をまとい、進みゆく那羅王の後ろに従った。ニシャダの王は彼女を伴い、都の外に三夜とどまった。この偈は、見捨てられ苦難にあるときなお揺るがぬ夫婦の貞節と慈悲を示す。ダマヤンティーは報復も絶望も選ばず、夫が衰え追われた身となっても、忠実に寄り添う道を選んだのである。
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in dharma under adversity: Damayantī’s loyalty and care persist even when Nala is reduced to hardship, suggesting that ethical commitment is tested—and proven—most in suffering.
As Nala departs in a distressed state, Damayantī—poorly clothed—follows him from behind. Nala remains with her outside the city for three nights, marking a liminal phase of exile and uncertainty before further separation and trials.