Shloka 16
Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
एवं विलपमाना सा नष्ट्संज्ञेव भारत | आरुरोह महद् वेश्म पुण्यश्लोकदिदृक्षया,भारत! इस प्रकार विलाप करती हुई दमयन्ती अचेत-सी हो गयी। वह पुण्यश्लोक नलके दर्शनकी इच्छासे ऊँचे महलकी छतपर जा चढ़ी
evaṁ vilapamānā sā naṣṭasaṁjñeva bhārata | āruroha mahad veśma puṇyaślokadidṛkṣayā ||
हे भारत! असे विलाप करताना ती जणू शुद्ध हरपल्यासारखी झाली. पुण्यश्लोक नलाचे दर्शन व्हावे या उत्कंठेने ती एका उंच प्रासादावर चढली।
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how intense sorrow can overwhelm discernment, yet the same sorrow can also propel determined action—here, Damayantī’s longing becomes a force that drives her to seek Nala actively rather than remain passive.
Damayantī, crying out in distress, becomes almost senseless. Hoping to catch sight of Nala (called Puṇyaśloka), she climbs to the top of a tall mansion, scanning for him in desperation.