Shloka 7
दमयन्तीस्वयंवरः — देववेषधारणं, सत्यप्रार्थना, नलवरणम्
Damayantī’s Svayaṃvara: Divine Disguises, Truth-Vow, and Choosing Nala
चिन्तयामास तत् कार्य सुमहत् स्वां सुतां प्रति । किमर्थ दुहिता मेउद्य नातिस्वस्थेव लक्ष्यते
cintayāmāsa tat kāryaṁ sumahat svāṁ sutāṁ prati | kimarthaṁ duhitā me 'dya nātisvastheva lakṣyate ||
Bṛhadaśva merenung sedalam-dalamnya tentang perkara besar itu yang menyentuh puterinya sendiri: “Atas sebab apakah puteriku pada hari ini tampak seolah-olah tidak sihat?” Baris ini menzahirkan kebimbangan beretika dan tanggungjawab seorang bapa untuk melindungi, ketika beliau berusaha menyingkap punca dukacita yang nyata pada dirinya.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a guardian’s dharmic attentiveness: noticing signs of distress, reflecting carefully, and seeking the cause before acting. Ethical care begins with perception, concern, and thoughtful inquiry.
Bṛhadaśva observes that his daughter looks unwell or troubled. He becomes concerned and contemplates the serious issue related to her, asking why she appears not fully healthy.