Shloka 14
Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
प्रभु: क्षमावान् वीरश्न दाता चाप्यधिको नृपैः । रहो<नीचानुवर्ती च क्लीबवन्मम नैषध:
prabhuḥ kṣamāvān vīraś ca dātā cāpy adhiko nṛpaiḥ | raho'nīcānuvartī ca klībavan mama naiṣadhaḥ ||
ブリハダシュヴァは言った。「我がナイシャダ（ナラ）は真の主君だ――忍耐深く寛容で、勇ましく、施しに富み、諸王をも凌ぐ。だが今は密かに身を運び、卑しき者の後を追い、無力な男のように生きている。」
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts inner excellence with outer downfall: a king may possess forgiveness, valor, and generosity surpassing others, yet adverse fate can reduce him to secrecy and humiliation. Ethical worth is shown as intrinsic, not erased by misfortune.
Bṛhadaśva, recounting Nala’s story, describes how Nala—though an exemplary ruler—has been driven into a degraded condition, moving secretly and serving those of lower status, as if stripped of manly power and royal dignity.