Shloka 1
Damayantī’s Lament, Serpent-Seizure, Rescue by the Hunter, and the Curse
हि मय ० (0) है 7 षष्टितमो< ध्याय: दुःखित दमयन्तीका वार्ष्णेयके द्वारा कुमार-कुमारीको कुण्डिनपुर भेजना बृहृदश्चव उवाच दमयन्ती ततो दृष्ट्वा पुण्यश्लोक॑ नराधिपम् | उन्मत्तवदनुन्मत्ता देवने गतचेतसम्,बृहदश्च मुनि कहते हैं--राजन्! तदनन्तर दमयन्तीने देखा कि पुण्यश्लोक महाराज नल उन्मत्तकी भाँति द्यूतक्रीडामें आसक्त हैं। वह स्वयं सावधान थी। उनकी वैसी अवस्था देख भीमकुमारी भय और शोकसे व्याकुल हो गयी और महाराजके हितके लिये किसी महत्त्वपूर्ण कार्यका चिन्तन करने लगी
bṛhadaśva uvāca | damayantī tato dṛṣṭvā puṇyaślokam narādhipam | unmattavad anunmattā devane gatacetasam |
Disse Bṛhadaśva: Então Damayantī, embora ela própria permanecesse firme e lúcida, viu o rei Nala—renomado pela virtude—com a mente arrastada ao salão de jogo, comportando-se como se estivesse louco. Ao vê-lo nesse estado, foi tomada por medo e tristeza, e começou a ponderar uma medida decisiva para o bem dele.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical danger of addiction and loss of self-control: even a virtuous king can be mentally overpowered by gambling. It also foregrounds Damayantī’s dharmic steadiness—clear-minded compassion that seeks a constructive remedy rather than mere lamentation.
Damayantī observes King Nala in the grip of gambling, acting as if deranged and mentally carried away. Distressed by his downfall, she begins to plan an important step aimed at protecting his welfare and addressing the crisis.