Shloka 153
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
शरणं प्रति देवानां प्राप्तकालममन्यत । भारत! उसने अपने सुने हुए देवचिह्ञोंपर भी विचार किया। वह मन-ही-मन कहने लगी 'मैंने बड़े-बूढ़े पुरुषोंसे देवताओंकी पहचान करानेवाले जो लक्षण या चिह्न सुन रखे हैं, उन्हें यहाँ भूमिपर बैठे हुए इन पाँच पुरुषोंमेंसे किसी एकमें भी नहीं देख पाती हूँ।! उसने अनेक प्रकारसे निश्चय और बार-बार विचार करके देवताओंकी शरणमें जाना ही समयोचित कर्तव्य समझा
śaraṇaṃ prati devānāṃ prāptakālam amanyata |
Disse Bṛhadaśva: Ela julgou que chegara o momento oportuno de buscar refúgio nos deuses. Refletindo intimamente sobre os sinais divinos que ouvira dos anciãos, não encontrou nenhum deles em qualquer dos cinco homens sentados no chão. Após repetidas deliberações e firme resolução, concluiu que voltar-se aos deuses em busca de proteção era o dever mais adequado naquele instante.
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
When human judgment reaches uncertainty and no clear signs support a conclusion, it can be dharmically appropriate to seek higher refuge—turning to the divine with humility after careful reflection rather than acting rashly.
A woman examines five men, comparing them with the divine identifying marks she has heard from elders. Finding no match, she repeatedly reflects and decides that the timely course is to seek the protection and guidance of the gods.