Shloka 9
कर्कोटक-उपदेशः
Karkoṭaka’s Counsel and Nala’s Concealment
दृश्यसे दृश्यसे राजन्नेष दृष्टोडईसि नैषध । आवार्य गुल्मैरात्मानं कि मां न प्रतिभाषसे,“राजन्! निषधनरेश! आप दीख रहे हैं, दीख रहे हैं, यह दिखायी दिये। लताओंद्वारा अपनेको छिपाकर आप मुझसे बात क्यों नहीं कर रहे हैं?
dṛśyase dṛśyase rājann eṣa dṛṣṭo'si naiṣadha | āvārya gulmair ātmānaṃ kiṃ māṃ na pratibhāṣase ||
Wahai Raja, wahai tuan Niṣadha! Engkau kelihatan—ya, engkau kelihatan, nyata di hadapanku. Namun setelah menyembunyikan diri di balik rimbunan semak dan sulur, mengapa engkau tidak berbicara kepadaku?
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pull toward openness and truthful communication: once a person is recognized, concealment becomes unnecessary and dialogue becomes the proper, dharmic response—especially between a king and a well-wisher.
Bṛhadaśva addresses Nala, recognizing him despite his attempt to hide behind bushes and creepers, and urges him to come forth and speak rather than remain concealed.