Shloka 4
नलस्य दमयन्त्युत्सर्गः
Nala’s Abandonment of Damayantī in the Lodging Hall
स समाविश्य च नल॑ समीपं पुष्करस्य च । गत्वा पुष्करमाहेदमेहि दीव्य नलेन वै,नलमें आविष्ट होकर कलियुगने दूसरा रूप धारण करके पुष्करके पास जाकर कहा --“'चलो, राजा नलके साथ जूआ खेलो
sa samāviśya ca nalaṃ samīpaṃ puṣkarasya ca | gatvā puṣkaram āhedam ehi dīvya nalena vai ||
Nang mapasok na ni Kali si Nala, lumapit siya kay Puṣkara; at pagdating kay Puṣkara ay sinabi niya: “Halika—makipaglaro ka ng sugal na dice kay haring Nala.”
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how adharma often begins with inner corruption and external provocation: when one’s discernment is compromised (here symbolized by Kali’s entry), harmful choices like gambling and rivalry are easily triggered, leading to ethical collapse.
Kali, having gained influence over Nala, goes to Puṣkara and urges him to challenge Nala to a dice game, initiating the fateful gambling contest central to Nala’s downfall.