Shloka 6
नलस्य दमयन्त्युत्सर्गः
Nala’s Abandonment of Damayantī in the Lodging Hall
एवमुक्तस्तु कलिना पुष्करो नलमभ्ययात् | कलिकश्वैव वृषो भूत्वा गवां पुष्करमभ्ययात्,कलिके ऐसा कहनेपर पुष्कर राजा नलके पास गया। कलि भी साँड़ बनकर पुष्करके साथ हो लिया
evam uktas tu kalinā puṣkaro nalam abhyayāt | kali-kaś caiva vṛṣo bhūtvā gavāṁ puṣkaram abhyayāt |
Nang masabihan nang gayon ni Kali, si Puṣkara ay nagtungo kay Haring Nala. Sumama rin si Kali—nag-anyong isang toro sa gitna ng kawan—upang makalapit si Puṣkara kay Nala sa ilalim ng kaniyang impluwensiya. Ipinahihiwatig ng pangyayaring ito na ang adharma ay madalas umuusad sa pagdikit sa mga pagkakataong waring karaniwan at sa mga kasamang tila pangkaraniwan, at sa gayon ay inihahanda ang daan sa pagbagsak sa pamamagitan ng tukso at panlilinlang.
ब॒हृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Adharma often works indirectly: it attaches itself to people and situations, disguising its presence, and then pushes one toward harmful choices. Vigilance and discernment are implied—especially for rulers—so that temptation and deceit do not gain entry.
After being prompted by Kali, Puṣkara goes to approach King Nala. Kali accompanies him by taking the form of a bull among cattle, indicating Kali’s covert participation as the coming events move toward Nala’s moral and political crisis.