Shloka 18
Damayantī’s Lament, Serpent-Seizure, Rescue by the Hunter, and the Curse
शरणं त्वां प्रपन्नास्मि सारथे कुरु मद्गच: । न हि मे शुध्यते भाव: कदाचित् विनशेदपि,'सारथे! मैं तुम्हारी शरणमें आयी हूँ, मेरी बात मानो। मेरे मनमें अशुभ विचार आते हैं, इससे अनुमान होता है कि राजा नलका राज्यसे च्युत होना सम्भव है
śaraṇaṃ tvāṃ prapannāsmi sārathē kuru madgacaḥ | na hi me śudhyate bhāvaḥ kadācit vinaśed api ||
“A ti me acolho, ó cocheiro—faz como te peço. Pois meu sentimento interior não se torna claro nem tranquilo; por vezes parece até que vai perecer. Por esses presságios que me agitam a mente, temo que o rei Nala possa ser expulso de seu reino.”
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical psychology of crisis: when the mind is clouded by ominous impulses, one seeks refuge in a trusted guide and acts with urgency. It underscores dependence on wise assistance and the seriousness of inner foreboding as a prompt for protective action.
Bṛhadaśva voices a plea to a charioteer, declaring surrender and asking him to follow her request. She reports disturbing, inauspicious thoughts and infers from them that King Nala may be displaced from his kingdom.