Shloka 366
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
लोकानात्मप्रभांश्वेव ददौ तस्मै हुताशन: । हविष्यभोक्ता अग्निदेवने नलको अपने ही समान तेजस्वी लोक प्रदान किये और यह भी कहा कि 'राजा नल जहाँ चाहेंगे, वहीं मैं प्रकट हो जाऊँगा”
lokān ātmaprabhāṁś caiva dadau tasmai hutāśanaḥ | haviṣyabhoktā agnidevane nalaṃ ca āha—yatra yatra rājā nalaḥ icchati tatra tatra aham prādurbhaviṣyāmi ||
Bṛhadaśva berkata: Hutāśana (Agni), pemakan persembahan, mengurniakan kepadanya alam-alam yang bersinar, seumpama kemilau dirinya sendiri. Baginda juga meyakinkan Raja Nala: “Di mana pun engkau kehendaki, di situlah Aku akan menampakkan diri.”
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights divine reciprocity: when one upholds dharma and maintains reverence toward sacred powers (here symbolized by Agni as the receiver of offerings), divine support becomes accessible. Agni’s promise to appear wherever Nala wishes signifies that righteous conduct can attract timely protection and guidance.
In Bṛhadaśva’s narration of Nala’s episode, Agni (Hutāśana), pleased, grants Nala radiant realms and gives a boon-like assurance: whenever Nala desires, Agni will manifest there. It marks a moment of divine favor that equips Nala for future trials.