Shloka 7
दमयन्त्याः अरण्यविहारः — Damayantī’s Passage through the Wilderness
दमयन्त्येकवस्त्राथ गच्छन्तं पृष्ठतो5न्वगात् । स तया बाह्ुतः सार्थ त्रिरात्रं नैघधोडवसत्,दमयन्तीके शरीरपर भी एक ही वस्त्र था। वह जाते हुए राजा नलके पीछे हो ली। वे उसके साथ नगरसे बाहर तीन राततक टिके रहे
damayanty ekavastrātha gacchantaṁ pṛṣṭhato 'nvagāt | sa tayā bāhutaḥ sārtha trirātraṁ naiṣadho 'vasat |
Sinabi ni Bṛhadaśva: Pagkatapos, si Damayantī, na suot din ang iisang kasuotan, ay sumunod mula sa likuran habang nagpapatuloy si Haring Nala. Ang hari ng Niṣadha, na isinama siya, ay nanatili sa labas ng lungsod sa loob ng tatlong gabi. Ipinahihiwatig ng taludtod ang matatag na katapatan ng mag-asawa at habag sa gitna ng pagtalikod at paghihirap: hindi gumanti o nawalan ng pag-asa si Damayantī, kundi piniling sumama nang tapat kahit ang kaniyang asawa’y napahina at naitaboy.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights steadfastness in dharma under adversity: Damayantī’s loyalty and care persist even when Nala is reduced to hardship, suggesting that ethical commitment is tested—and proven—most in suffering.
As Nala departs in a distressed state, Damayantī—poorly clothed—follows him from behind. Nala remains with her outside the city for three nights, marking a liminal phase of exile and uncertainty before further separation and trials.