Shloka 2
दमयन्तीस्वयंवरः — देववेषधारणं, सत्यप्रार्थना, नलवरणम्
Damayantī’s Svayaṃvara: Divine Disguises, Truth-Vow, and Choosing Nala
ततश्रिन्तापरा दीना विवर्णवदना कृशा | बभूव दमयन्ती तु निः:श्वासपरमा तदा,तदनन्तर उसके मनमें सदा चिन्ता बनी रहती थी। स्वभावमें दैन्य आ गया। चेहरेका रंग फीका पड़ गया और दमयन्ती दिन-दिन दुबली होने लगी। उस समय वह प्राय: लंबी साँसें खींचती रहती थी
tataś cintāparā dīnā vivarṇavadanā kṛśā | babhūva damayantī tu niḥśvāsaparamā tadā ||
Kemudian Damayantī tenggelam sepenuhnya dalam kegelisahan. Ia menjadi murung; wajahnya pudar, tubuhnya semakin susut. Pada waktu itu ia kerap menarik nafas panjang dan berat—tanda nyata derita batin yang menekannya.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner turmoil manifests outwardly—worry, grief, and uncertainty can erode vitality. Ethically, it invites compassion toward those in distress and underscores the need for steadiness and support when dharma is tested by suffering.
In Bṛhadaśva’s narration of the Nala–Damayantī story, Damayantī is shown after the onset of separation and hardship: she becomes constantly anxious, loses her complexion, grows thin, and repeatedly sighs, indicating deep emotional pain.