Shloka 10
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
आकाशदेशमासाद्य विमुक्तं कृष्णवर्त्मना । उत्स्रष्टकामं त॑ नाग: पुन: कर्कोटको<ब्रवीत्,अग्निके प्रभावसे रहित आकाश-देशमें पहुँचनेपर जब नलने उस नागको छोड़नेका विचार किया, उस समय कर्कोटकने फिर कहा--
ākāśadeśam āsādya vimuktaṃ kṛṣṇavartmanā | utsraṣṭakāmaṃ taṃ nāgaḥ punaḥ karkoṭako 'bravīt ||
Bṛhadaśva berkata: Setelah sampai ke hamparan langit yang terbuka dan terlepas daripada laluan yang gelap, ketika Nala hendak melepaskan ular itu, nāga Karkoṭaka berkata kepadanya sekali lagi—menandakan bahawa pertemuan itu bukan kebetulan semata-mata, melainkan membawa tujuan moral yang disengajakan dan masih ada nasihat lanjut yang harus disampaikan.
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one believes a difficult passage has ended (‘released from the dark path’), dharma often requires listening to further guidance; providential encounters may carry instruction beyond the immediate crisis.
After reaching open space and being freed from a perilous course, Nala is about to release the nāga he has carried; at that moment Karkoṭaka speaks again, indicating he has more to say and that the episode will continue with counsel or a decisive act.