Shloka 11
Adhyāya 76: Kuṇḍina-praveśaḥ, Bhīmena satkāraḥ, Ṛtuparṇa-kṣamā, Aśvahṛdaya-pratyarpanam
Nala’s Reception and Reconciliation
अनागसं प्रियां भार्या विजने श्रममोहिताम् । अपहाय तु को गच्छेत् पुण्यश्लोकमृते नलम्,'पुण्यश्लोक महाराज नलके सिवा दूसरा कौन होगा, जो एकान्तमें थकावटके कारण अचेत सोयी हुई अपनी निर्दोष प्रियतमा पत्नीको छोड़कर जा सकता हो
anāgasaṃ priyāṃ bhāryāṃ vijane śramamohitām | apahāya tu ko gacchet puṇyaślokam ṛte nalam ||
Bṛhadaśva berkata: “Siapakah, selain Raja Nala yang termasyhur dan berbudi, yang sanggup pergi setelah meninggalkan isteri tercinta yang tidak bersalah—seorang diri di tempat sunyi, ditimpa keletihan dan pengsan?”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical shock of abandoning an innocent, vulnerable spouse, underscoring that true virtue and fame are measured by protection of the blameless—especially in isolation and danger.
Bṛhadaśva comments on the extraordinary (and troubling) act of King Nala leaving his beloved, innocent wife alone in a deserted place while she lies exhausted and unconscious—marking a grave turning point in the Nala–Damayantī story.