Shloka 14
Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
प्रभु: क्षमावान् वीरश्न दाता चाप्यधिको नृपैः । रहो<नीचानुवर्ती च क्लीबवन्मम नैषध:
prabhuḥ kṣamāvān vīraś ca dātā cāpy adhiko nṛpaiḥ | raho'nīcānuvartī ca klībavan mama naiṣadhaḥ ||
Wika ni Bṛhadaśva: “Ang aking Naiṣadha (si Nala) ay tunay na panginoon—matiisin at mapagpatawad, magiting at mapagbigay, at higit pa sa ibang mga hari. Ngunit ngayo’y kumikilos siya nang palihim, sumusunod sa mga hamak, at nabubuhay na tila isang lalaking walang lakas.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse contrasts inner excellence with outer downfall: a king may possess forgiveness, valor, and generosity surpassing others, yet adverse fate can reduce him to secrecy and humiliation. Ethical worth is shown as intrinsic, not erased by misfortune.
Bṛhadaśva, recounting Nala’s story, describes how Nala—though an exemplary ruler—has been driven into a degraded condition, moving secretly and serving those of lower status, as if stripped of manly power and royal dignity.