नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
एकवत्त्रार्थसंवीतं सुकुमारतनुत्वचम् । व्यसनेनार्दितं वीरमरण्यमिदमागतम्,उन्होंने एक साड़ीके आधे टुकड़ेसे अपने शरीरको ढँक रखा है, उनके अंगोंकी त्वचा बड़ी सुकुमार है। वे वीरवर नल भारी संकटसे पीड़ित होकर इस वनमें आये हैं
ekavastrārthasaṃvītaṃ sukumāratanu-tvacam | vyasanenārditaṃ vīram araṇyam idam āgatam ||
Sinabi ni Bṛhadaśva: “Tinakpan niya ang katawan ng kalahating piraso lamang ng tela; maselan ang kanyang mga sangkap at malambot ang balat. Ang bayaning si Nala, dinurog ng kapahamakan, ay naparito sa gubat na ito.”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
The verse highlights how swiftly fortune can reverse—even a heroic king may be reduced to hardship—inviting compassion and reminding one to endure adversity without losing inner worth and dignity.
Bṛhadaśva describes Nala’s pitiable condition: stripped of proper clothing and afflicted by severe misfortune, Nala has arrived in the forest, marking his fall from royal life into exile and distress.