Adhyāya 76: Kuṇḍina-praveśaḥ, Bhīmena satkāraḥ, Ṛtuparṇa-kṣamā, Aśvahṛdaya-pratyarpanam
Nala’s Reception and Reconciliation
ततोड<ब्रवीन्महाराज: कृतशौचमहं नलम् | दमयन्त्या सहोपेतं कल्ये द्रष्टा सुखोषितम्,तब महाराज भीमने कहा--“आज नलको सुखपूर्वक यहीं रहने दो। कल सबेरे स्नान आदिसे शुद्ध हुए दमयन्तीसहित नलसे मैं मिलूँगा”
tato 'bravīn mahārājaḥ kṛtaśaucam ahaṃ nalam | damayantyā sahopetaṃ kalye draṣṭā sukhoṣitam ||
Kemudian Raja Bhīma berkata: “Biarkan Nala, yang telah selesai mandi penyucian, tinggal di sini hari ini dengan selesa. Esok pagi, setelah beta juga mandi dan menjadi suci menurut adat, beta akan bertemu Nala bersama Damayantī.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
The verse highlights dharmic decorum: a king observes ritual propriety and respectful hospitality—allowing a guest to rest, and arranging a formal meeting after both parties are purified, reflecting self-restraint and honor in family matters.
Bhīma, Damayantī’s father, instructs that Nala should stay comfortably for the day; he will meet Nala the next morning, after bathing, and the meeting will be with Damayantī present—signaling an imminent, properly conducted reunion.