Shloka 72
नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
ब्रृहि सर्वानवद्याड्धि का त्वं कि च चिकीर्षसि । दृष्टवैव ते परं रूप॑ं द्युतिं च परमामिह,'सर्वांगसुन्दरी! बताओ, तुम कौन हो और क्या करना चाहती हो? तुम्हारे उत्तम रूप और परम सुन्दर कान्तिको यहाँ देखकर हमें बड़ा विस्मय हो रहा है। धैर्य धारण करो, शोक न करो। तुम इस वनकी देवी हो या इस पर्वतकी अधिदेवता
bṛhadaśva uvāca | brūhi sarvān avadyāddhi kā tvaṁ kiṁ ca cikīrṣasi | dṛṣṭvaiva te paraṁ rūpaṁ dyutiṁ ca paramām iha |
Bṛhadaśva disse: “Dize-me, ó irrepreensível: quem és tu e o que pretendes fazer? Ao ver aqui a tua beleza suprema e o teu esplendor radiante, ficamos tomados de assombro. Mantém-te firme; não te aflijas. És a deusa desta floresta, ou a divindade tutelar desta montanha?”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic conduct toward the unknown: approach with respectful inquiry, acknowledge evident excellence without envy, and offer reassurance (“do not grieve”). It also reflects the epic’s ethical habit of discerning whether an encounter is human or divine before acting.
Bṛhadaśva addresses a striking, radiant woman who has appeared in the forest. Astonished by her beauty and splendor, he asks her identity and purpose, comforts her against sorrow, and wonders whether she is a local forest goddess or the presiding deity of the mountain.