Shloka 16
दमयन्ती–बाहुकसंवादः
Damayantī’s Dialogue with Bāhuka; Recognition and Disclosure
आत्मैव तु नलं वेद या चास्य तदनन्तरा । न हि वै स्वानि लिड्रानि नल: शंसति कहिचित्,परमात्मा ही नलको जानते हैं तथा उसकी जो अन्तरात्मा है, वह उन्हें जानती है, दूसरा कोई नहीं; क्योंकि राजा नल अपने लक्षणों या चिह्लोंको कभी दूसरोंके सामने नहीं प्रकट करते हैं
ātmā eva tu nalaṃ veda yā cāsya tadanantarā | na hi vai svāni liṅgāni nalaḥ śaṃsati karhi cit |
Bāhaka disse: “Só o próprio Nala conhece verdadeiramente Nala — e também aquela consciência interior que o acompanha mais de perto. Pois o rei Nala jamais revela a ninguém, em tempo algum, os seus sinais de identificação.”
बाहक उवाच
Educational Q&A
True identity is ultimately known from within: the self and its inner witness know the truth, while outward recognition can be withheld. Ethically, the verse highlights restraint in self-disclosure and the dignity of guarding one’s personal signs when circumstances demand discretion.
Bāhuka (Nala in disguise) explains why others cannot identify Nala: Nala keeps his distinguishing marks secret and does not reveal them. This supports the ongoing concealment of his identity within the Nalopākhyāna episode.