Sudeva Identifies Damayantī in Cedi (सुदेवेन दमयन्ती-परिचयः)
राजमातुर्वच: श्रुत्वा दमयन्ती वचो<ब्रवीत् । समयेनोत्सहे वस्तुं त्वयि वीरप्रजायिनि,राजमाताकी यह बात सुनकर दमयन्तीने कहा--“वीरमात:! मैं एक नियमके साथ आपके यहाँ रह सकती हूँ
rājamātur vacaḥ śrutvā damayantī vaco 'bravīt | samayenotsahe vastum tvayi vīraprajāyini ||
Ouvindo as palavras da mãe do rei, Damayantī respondeu: “Ó mãe de heróis, estou disposta a ficar contigo, mas apenas sob uma condição estipulada.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
The verse highlights ethical self-protection and propriety: Damayantī agrees to accept shelter, but insists on clear conditions (samaya). It reflects dharmic prudence—consent, boundaries, and safeguarding one’s integrity even in vulnerability.
After hearing the queen-mother’s proposal or words, Damayantī responds respectfully. She indicates she can stay in the queen-mother’s household, but only if certain conditions are accepted—setting up the next part of the episode where those terms are specified.