Shloka 23
कर्कोटक-उपदेशः
Karkoṭaka’s Counsel and Nala’s Concealment
हा नाथ मामिह वने ग्रस्यमानामनाथवत् | ग्राहेणानेन विजने किमर्थ नानुधावसि,(वह विलाप करती हुई कहने लगी--) “हा नाथ! इस निर्जन वनमें यह अजगर सर्प मुझे अनाथकी भाँति निगल रहा है। आप मेरी रक्षाके लिये दौड़कर आते क्यों नहीं हैं?
hā nātha mām iha vane grasyamānām anāthavat | grāheṇānena vijane kimarthaṁ nānudhāvasi ||
«Ai de mim, meu senhor! Aqui, nesta floresta, estou sendo engolida como quem não tem amparo. Neste ermo solitário, presa por este predador, por que não corres em meu socorro?»
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the dharmic expectation of protection: one who is a ‘nātha’ (protector) is morally bound to respond swiftly to the helpless. It also underscores the human impulse to seek refuge and assistance in moments of peril.
A woman, in panic, cries out to her protector that in the lonely forest a great serpent/predator is swallowing her, and she reproaches him for not rushing to save her.