Shloka 86
नलस्य पुष्करजयो द्यूते
Nala’s Victory over Puṣkara in the Dice-Game
दमयन्त्या समायुक्तं जहषे च नराधिप: । सम्पूर्ण देवमन्दिरोंकी सजावट और देवमूर्तियोंकी पूजा की गयी थी। राजा ऋतुपर्णने भी जब यह सुना कि बाहुकके वेषमें राजा नल ही थे और अब वे दमयन्तीसे मिले हैं, तब उन्हें बड़ा हर्ष हुआ
damayantyā samāyuktaṃ jahaṣe ca narādhipaḥ | sampūrṇa-deva-mandira-sajjā ca devamūrtīnāṃ pūjā ca kṛtā | rājā ṛtuparṇo 'pi yadā śuśrāva yac ca bāhuka-veṣe rājā nala eva āsīt, idānīṃ ca sa damayantyā saha samāgato 'sti, tadā tasya mahān harṣaḥ samajāyata |
Disse Bṛhadaśva: Quando o rei se reuniu a Damayantī, sorriu de alegria. A cidade real estava plenamente adornada; os templos dos deuses haviam sido enfeitados e as imagens divinas eram veneradas. E quando o rei Ṛtuparṇa soube que aquele que o servira sob o disfarce de Bāhuka não era outro senão o rei Nala, e que Nala agora se reencontrara com Damayantī, também ele se encheu de grande felicidade. O episódio ressalta o alívio moral que vem quando a verdade se revela, a lealdade é recompensada e a união legítima é restaurada.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical satisfaction that comes when truth becomes known and rightful relationships are restored: loyalty and service (even under disguise) are ultimately recognized, and joy is aligned with dharma—expressed both socially (festivity) and religiously (temple worship).
After Nala (who had been living as the charioteer-cook Bāhuka) reunites with Damayantī, the king rejoices. The city celebrates with temple adornment and worship. Ṛtuparṇa, learning that Bāhuka was actually Nala and that Nala has met Damayantī again, also feels great happiness.