नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
सरिद्धि: सविहड्भजाभि: शिखरैश्न॒ समाकुलम् । गिरिराजमिमं तावत् पृच्छामि नृपतिं प्रति,यह पर्वत अनेक सरिताओं, सुन्दर पक्षियों और शिखरोंसे परिपूर्ण है। अब मैं इसी गिरिराजसे महाराज नलका समाचार पूछती हूँ
saridbhiḥ savihaṅgabhajaiḥ śikharaiś ca samākulam | girirājam imaṃ tāvat pṛcchāmi nṛpatiṃ prati ||
この山の王は、多くの河川と麗しい鳥、そしてそびえる峰々で満ちている。いまこそ、この山王そのものに向かい、王ナラの消息を尋ねよう。
बृहृदश्च उवाच
The verse highlights a traditional epic sensibility: nature is not merely scenery but a responsive witness to human dharma and suffering. In moments of separation and uncertainty, the seeker turns outward with humility—asking, observing, and reading signs—rather than acting rashly.
Bṛhadaśvā, while recounting the Nala narrative, describes a magnificent mountain filled with rivers, birds, and peaks, and declares that she will now question this ‘mountain-king’ for news about King Nala—an instance of addressing the natural world as if it can guide the search.