Shloka 25
कर्कोटक-उपदेशः
Karkoṭaka’s Counsel and Nala’s Concealment
पापान्मुक्तः पुनर्लब्ध्वा बुद्धिं चेतो धनानि च । भ्रान्तस्य ते क्षुधार्तस्य परिग्लानस्य नैषध । कः श्रमं राजशार्दूल नाशयिष्यति तेडनघ,“निष्पाप निषधनरेश! इस संकटसे मुक्त होनेपर जब आपको पुनः शुद्ध बुद्धि, चेतना और धन आदिकी प्राप्ति होगी, उस समय मेरे बिना आपकी क्या दशा होगी? नृपप्रवर! जब आप भूखसे पीड़ित हो थके-माँदे एवं अत्यन्त खिन्न होंगे, उस समय आपकी उस थकावटको कौन दूर करेगा?”
pāpān muktaḥ punar labdhvā buddhiṁ ceto dhanāni ca | bhrāntasya te kṣudhārtasya parigl̥ānasya naiṣadha | kaḥ śramaṁ rājaśārdūla nāśayiṣyati te ’nagha ||
Disse Bṛhadaśva: “Quando fores libertado destas desventuras e recuperares o juízo claro, a serenidade e as riquezas, ó rei de Niṣadha—que será de ti sem mim? Ó tigre entre os reis, quando vagueares perdido, atormentado pela fome, exausto e profundamente abatido, quem, ó irrepreensível, dissipará o teu cansaço?”
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights compassionate companionship and practical support as part of dharma: a suffering person needs not only future restoration (wealth, clarity) but also present care—someone to steady, guide, and relieve hardship.
Bṛhadaśva addresses Nala (the Naiṣadha king), emphasizing Nala’s weakened, hungry, and confused condition and warning that without Bṛhadaśva’s help, no one will be there to ease his exhaustion as he struggles through adversity.