Shloka 8
नलस्य दमयन्त्युत्सर्गः
Nala’s Abandonment of Damayantī in the Lodging Hall
न चक्षमे ततो राजा समाह्वानं महामना: । वैदर्भ्या: प्रेक्षमाणाया: पणकालममन्यत,महामना राजा नल द्यूतके लिये पुष्करके आह्वानको न सह सके। विदर्भराजकुमारी दमयन्तीके देखते-देखते उसी क्षण जूआ खेलनेका उपयुक्त अवसर समझ लिया
na cakṣame tato rājā samāhvānaṃ mahāmanāḥ | vaidarbhayāḥ prekṣamāṇāyāḥ paṇakālam amanyata ||
Então o rei, de grande ânimo, não pôde suportar o desafio. Com a princesa de Vidarbha, Damayantī, a observá-lo, tomou aquele mesmo instante como o momento adequado para a aposta—e aceitou o chamado ao jogo, apesar do perigo moral que ele trazia.
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a noble person can be pulled into adharma by pride and provocation; accepting a harmful challenge at an inopportune moment—especially under social pressure—can trigger grave consequences.
Puṣkara’s challenge to gamble is presented; Nala, unable to bear the summons, decides that very moment is the time to stake a wager, while Damayantī looks on.