Shloka 20
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
ततो<न््तरिक्षगो वाचं व्याजहार नल॑ तदा । हन्तव्यो5स्मि न ते राजन् करिष्यामि तव प्रियम्
tato 'ntarikṣago vācaṃ vyājahāra nalaḥ tadā | hantavyo 'smi na te rājan kariṣyāmi tava priyam ||
அப்போது ஆகாயத்திலிருந்து ஒரு குரல் எழுந்தது: “அரசே! நீ என்னைக் கொல்லத் தகுதியில்லை; உனக்கு இன்பமளிக்கும் காரியத்தை நான் செய்து தருவேன்.”
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic restraint: even when power allows harm, one should not commit wrongful violence. A higher moral order (symbolized by the ‘voice from the sky’) redirects action toward what is proper and beneficial rather than destructive.
Nala speaks as an aerial/sky-borne voice, addressing a king and declaring that the king should not kill him; instead, Nala promises to do what the king desires. The scene functions as a turning point where potential harm is averted and the relationship is reframed through assurance and service.