Shloka 13
दमयन्त्या वणिजां सार्थगमनम्, हस्तियूथविप्लवः, चेदिराजपुरप्रवेशश्च
Damayantī joins a caravan; elephant-herd catastrophe; entry into Cedi
स विनिश्चित्य बहुधा विचार्य च पुनः पुन: । उत्सर्ग मन्यते श्रेयो दमयन्त्या नराधिप,राजन! नल अनेक प्रकारसे बार-बार विचार करके एक निश्चयपर पहुँच गये और दमयन्तीका परित्याग कर देनेमें ही उसकी भलाई मानने लगे
sa viniścitya bahudhā vicārya ca punaḥ punaḥ | utsargaṁ manyate śreyo damayantyā narādhipa rājan |
ブリハダシュヴァは語った。幾度も幾通りにも思案を重ね、ついに固い決断に至ったナラ王は、ああ人々の主よ、ああ王よ、ダマヤンティーにとっては自分が彼女を捨て去るほうがよいのだ、と信じるに至った。苦悩に曇った判断のうちに、彼は別離を彼女の福利のための行いとみなし、意図の善さと、選び取った手段がもたらす害とのあいだの倫理的緊張を露わにする。
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical dilemma: a person may repeatedly deliberate and still choose a course believed to be for another’s welfare, yet the chosen means (abandonment) can be morally fraught. It invites reflection on whether good intentions justify harmful actions and how discernment (vicāra) must weigh both motive and consequence.
In Bṛhadaśva’s retelling of Nala’s story, Nala—under severe distress—repeatedly thinks through his situation and arrives at a decision that Damayantī would be better off without him. He therefore inclines toward abandoning her, framing separation as a protective act for her sake.