Shloka 27
कर्कोटक-उपदेशः
Karkoṭaka’s Counsel and Nala’s Concealment
तां तु दृष्टवा तथा ग्रस्तामुरगेणायतेक्षणाम् । त्वरमाणो मृगव्याध: समभिक्रम्य वेगत:,उस विशाल नयनोंवाली युवतीको अजगरके द्वारा उस प्रकार निगली जाती हुई देख व्याधने बड़ी उतावलीके साथ वेगसे दौड़कर तीखे शस्त्रसे शीघ्र ही उस अजगरका मुख फाड़ दिया। वह अजगर छटपटाकर चेष्टारहित हो गया। मृगोंको मारकर जीविका चलानेवाले उस व्याधने सर्पके टुकड़े-टुकड़े करके दमयन्तीको छुड़ाया। फिर जलसे उसके सर्पग्रस्त शरीरको धोकर उसे आश्वासन दे उसके लिये भोजनकी व्यवस्था कर दी। भारत! जब वह भोजन कर चुकी, तब व्याधने उससे पूछा---
tāṃ tu dṛṣṭvā tathā grastām urageṇāyatākṣaṇām | tvaramāṇo mṛgavyādhaḥ samabhikramya vegataḥ ||
Seeing that large-eyed young woman being swallowed in that manner by the serpent, the hunter hurried forward at speed. With swift action he tore open the python’s mouth, and the creature, writhing, became helpless. The hunter—who lived by killing deer—cut the snake into pieces and freed Damayantī. Then he washed her body, still affected by the serpent’s grasp, reassured her, and arranged food for her. After she had eaten, the hunter questioned her. The episode highlights an ethical contrast: even one whose livelihood involves violence can act decisively to protect life and offer compassionate care to the vulnerable.
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores that dharma can manifest through timely compassion and protection of life, even from someone socially viewed as violent (a hunter). Ethical worth is shown by action in crisis—rescuing, cleansing, reassuring, and providing sustenance.
A hunter sees a wide-eyed woman being swallowed by a serpent, rushes in, tears open the snake’s mouth, kills it, frees her, washes and comforts her, provides food, and then begins to question her identity and situation.