Shloka 10
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
आकाशदेशमासाद्य विमुक्तं कृष्णवर्त्मना । उत्स्रष्टकामं त॑ नाग: पुन: कर्कोटको<ब्रवीत्,अग्निके प्रभावसे रहित आकाश-देशमें पहुँचनेपर जब नलने उस नागको छोड़नेका विचार किया, उस समय कर्कोटकने फिर कहा--
ākāśadeśam āsādya vimuktaṃ kṛṣṇavartmanā | utsraṣṭakāmaṃ taṃ nāgaḥ punaḥ karkoṭako 'bravīt ||
Bṛhadaśva disse: Tendo alcançado uma clareira aberta sob o céu e libertado do caminho sombrio, quando Nala estava prestes a soltar a serpente, o nāga Karkoṭaka falou-lhe novamente—indicando que o encontro não fora mero acaso, mas trazia um propósito moral deliberado e ainda um conselho a ser dado.
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when one believes a difficult passage has ended (‘released from the dark path’), dharma often requires listening to further guidance; providential encounters may carry instruction beyond the immediate crisis.
After reaching open space and being freed from a perilous course, Nala is about to release the nāga he has carried; at that moment Karkoṭaka speaks again, indicating he has more to say and that the episode will continue with counsel or a decisive act.