Shloka 5
दमयन्त्याः कार्यनिश्चयः — Damayantī’s Crisis Plan and Vārṣṇeya’s Departure
तां राजसमितिं पुण्यां नागैभोंगवर्तीमिव । सम्पूर्णा पुरुषव्याघ्रैव्यप्रि्गिरिगुहामिव,व्याप्रोंसे भरी हुई पर्वतकी गुफा तथा नागोंसे सुशोभित भोगवती पुरीकी भाँति वह पुण्यमयी राजसभा नरश्रेष्ठ भूपालोंसे भरी दिखायी देती थी
tāṁ rājasamitiṁ puṇyāṁ nāgair bhogavatīm iva | sampūrṇāṁ puruṣavyāghrair vyāghrair giriguhām iva ||
Disse Bṛhadaśva: “Aquela sagrada assembleia real parecia inteiramente repleta de homens como tigres—reis eminentes e heróis—assim como Bhogavatī é adornada por nāgas, e como uma caverna de montanha se enche de tigres em ronda.”
बृहदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ideal of a well-ordered kingship: a royal court becomes ‘puṇya’ (auspicious) when it is filled with worthy, courageous, and eminent leaders. Ethical governance is implied through the presence of the best men around the throne, suggesting strength guided by dignity and order.
Bṛhadaśva is describing the appearance of a royal assembly. He uses vivid similes: the court is as splendid as Bhogavatī adorned with nāgas, and as densely occupied as a mountain cave filled with tigers—emphasizing the concentration of powerful kings and heroes.