Shloka 16
Damayantī’s Lament, Serpent-Seizure, Rescue by the Hunter, and the Curse
सुहृत्स्वजनवाक्यानि यथावन्न शृणोति च । ममापि च तथा वाक्य नाभिनन्दति मोहित:,*वे सुहदों और स्वजनोंके वचन अच्छी तरह नहीं सुनते हैं। जूएने उन्हें ऐसा मोहित कर रखा है कि इस समय वे मेरी बातका भी आदर नहीं कर रहे हैं। मैं इसमें महामना नैषधका निश्चय ही कोई दोष नहीं मानती। जूएसे मोहित होनेके कारण ही राजा मेरी बातका अभिनन्दन नहीं कर रहे हैं
suhṛtsvajana-vākyāni yathāvan na śṛṇoti ca | mamāpi ca tathā vākyaṃ nābhinandati mohitaḥ ||
Hindi niya lubos na pinakikinggan ang mga salita ng kanyang mga kaibigan at kamag-anak. Dahil sa pagkahibang sa sugal, ni hindi man lamang niya tinatanggap ang aking payo. Wala akong nakikitang kasalanan sa marangal na hari ng Niṣadha; tanging dahil sa pagkakabihag ng pagsusugal kaya hindi niya iginagalang ang aking sinasabi.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Delusion born of vice (here, gambling) can eclipse discernment so thoroughly that a person stops heeding even well-wishers and rightful counsel; ethical judgment requires self-control and freedom from such moha.
The speaker observes that the king of Niṣadha (Nala), overwhelmed by the spell of gambling, is no longer receptive to advice from friends, relatives, or even the speaker; the blame is placed on the deluding power of gambling rather than on Nala’s inherent character.