Shloka 8
दमयन्त्याः अरण्यविहारः — Damayantī’s Passage through the Wilderness
पुष्करस्तु महाराज घोषयामास वै पुरे । नले य: सम्यगातिछेत् स गच्छेद् वध्यतां मम,महाराज! पुष्करने उस नगरमें यह घोषणा करा दी--डुग्गी पिटवा दी कि “जो नलके साथ अच्छा बर्ताव करेगा, वह मेरा वध्य होगा”
Puṣkaras tu mahārāja ghoṣayāmāsa vai pure | nale yaḥ samyag āticchet sa gacched vadhyatāṁ mama ||
Sinabi ni Bṛhadaśva: “O dakilang hari, ipinahayag ni Puṣkara sa buong lungsod: ‘Sinumang makitungo nang mabuti kay Nala—sinumang magpakita sa kaniya ng nararapat na paggalang—ay ipapapatay sa aking utos.’” Ipinahahayag nito ang kalupitang bunga ng takot ni Puṣkara at ang tangka niyang ihiwalay si Nala sa lipunan, na ginagawang kasalanang may parusa ang karaniwang kagandahang-asal.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power used to criminalize basic decency is a mark of adharma. The verse highlights how envy and insecurity can lead a ruler to enforce injustice, attempting to control not only actions but also goodwill and social support.
Puṣkara, having gained dominance, orders a public proclamation in the city that anyone who treats Nala well will be executed. The intent is to isolate Nala, prevent assistance, and consolidate Puṣkara’s control through fear.