Shloka 4
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
स नाग: प्राञ्जलि भूत्वा वेपमानो नलं तदा | उवाच मां विद्धि राजन् नाग॑ कर्कोटकं नृूप
sa nāgaḥ prāñjali bhūtvā vepamāno nalaṃ tadā | uvāca māṃ viddhi rājan nāgaḥ karkoṭakaṃ nṛpa ||
Lalu ular itu, dengan tangan dirapatkan penuh hormat dan tubuh menggigil, berkata kepada Nala: “Wahai raja, ketahuilah aku—akulah ular Karkoṭaka, wahai pemerintah.”
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even powerful beings should approach the righteous with humility and truth. The nāga’s folded hands and self-identification highlight ethical conduct—respect, honesty, and accountability—especially at moments of fear or crisis.
A serpent-being approaches Nala in a trembling, supplicant posture and reveals his identity, declaring himself to be Karkoṭaka. This disclosure sets up the next development in their interaction and signals that the encounter has moral and narrative significance.