Shloka 50

नलो नामारिहा श्याम: पुण्यश्लोक इति श्रुतः । ब्रह्मण्यो वेदविद्‌ वाग्मी पुण्यकृत्‌ सोमपो5ग्निमान्‌,“उनका नाम नल है। शत्रुदमन, श्यामसुन्दर राजा नल पुण्यश्लोक कहे जाते हैं। वे बड़े ब्राह्मणभक्त, वेदवेत्ता, वक्ता, पुण्यात्मा, सोमपान करनेवाले और अग्निहोत्री हैं

nalo nāmārihā śyāmaḥ puṇyaśloka iti śrutaḥ | brahmaṇyo vedavid vāgmī puṇyakṛt somapo 'gnimān |

พฤหทัศวะกล่าวว่า “นามของเขาคือ นละ—ผู้ปราบศัตรู ผิวคล้ำ และเลื่องลือด้วยนาม ‘ปุณยศฺโลกะ’ เขาเคารพบูชาพราหมณ์ รู้พระเวท วาจาไพเราะ เป็นผู้สั่งสมบุญ ดื่มโสมในพิธีบูชายัญ และรักษาไฟศักดิ์สิทธิ์ด้วยอัคนิโหตร”

नलःNala (name of the king)
नलः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootनल
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
नामname
नाम:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootनामन्
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
अरिहाslayer of enemies
अरिहा:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootअरिहन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
श्यामःdark-complexioned, dusky
श्यामः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootश्याम
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
पुण्यश्लोकःof holy fame; praised with auspicious verses
पुण्यश्लोकः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootपुण्यश्लोक
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
इतिthus
इति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति
श्रुतःis heard/known (as)
श्रुतः:
TypeVerb
Rootश्रु
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular, Past passive participle (क्त)
ब्रह्मण्यःdevoted to Brahmins; pious
ब्रह्मण्यः:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootब्रह्मण्य
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
वेदवित्knower of the Veda
वेदवित्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootवेदविद्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
वाग्मीeloquent
वाग्मी:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootवाग्मिन्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
पुण्यकृत्doer of merit; virtuous
पुण्यकृत्:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootपुण्यकृत्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
सोमपःSoma-drinker (performer entitled to Soma rites)
सोमपः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootसोमप
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
अग्निमान्maintaining the sacred fires; having (ritual) fire
अग्निमान्:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootअग्निमत्
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular

बृहृदश्च उवाच

नल (Nala)
बृहदश्व (Bṛhadaśva)
सोम (Soma)
अग्नि/अग्निहोत्र (Agni/Agnihotra)
वेद (Veda)
ब्राह्मण (Brahmins)

Educational Q&A

The verse presents an ethical ideal of kingship: true renown (puṇyaśloka) arises from dharmic conduct—reverence for Brahmins and sacred learning, mastery of the Vedas, truthful and effective speech, and commitment to sacrificial duties (Soma rites and Agnihotra).

Bṛhadaśva introduces and praises King Nala by listing his recognized qualities—valor against enemies, good repute, learning, eloquence, and faithful performance of Vedic rituals—setting the stage for Nala’s story and its moral significance.