Shloka 41
Keśinī’s Inquiry to Bāhuka and the Emotional Signs of Concealed Identity (केशिन्याः बाहुकपरीक्षा)
बिभीतकश्षाप्रशस्त: संवृत्त: कलिसंश्रयात् । हयोत्तमानुत्पततो द्विजानिव पुन: पुन:,कलियुगके आश्रय लेनेसे बहेड़ेका वृक्ष निन्दित हो गया। तदनन्तर राजा नलने प्रसन्नचित्तसे पुनः घोड़ोंको हाँकना आरम्भ किया। वे उत्तम अश्व पक्षियोंकी तरह बार-बार उड़ते हुए-से प्रतीत हो रहे थे। अब महायशस्वी राजा नल विदर्भदेशकी ओर (बड़े वेगसे बढ़े) जा रहे थे
bibhītakaḥ śāpraśastaḥ saṃvṛttaḥ kali-saṃśrayāt | hayottamān utpatataḥ dvijān iva punaḥ punaḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva disse: “Por ter-se tornado refúgio de Kali, a árvore bibhītaka passou a ser mencionada com reprovação. Depois disso, o rei Nala, com o ânimo restituído à alegria, voltou a instigar os cavalos. Aqueles excelentes corcéis pareciam saltar repetidas vezes como aves a levantar voo. Assim, o ilustre rei Nala apressou-se rumo à terra de Vidarbha.”
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Association with Kali (moral disorder, deceit, misfortune) brings reproach even upon what is otherwise neutral; conversely, when clarity returns, purposeful action resumes—Nala’s renewed control and forward movement signal recovery from adversity and the reassertion of right direction.
Bṛhadaśva narrates that the bibhītaka tree became infamous because Kali had taken refuge there. After this, Nala—now heartened—drives the horses again; they surge forward as if flying, and Nala hastens toward Vidarbha.