Shloka 20
नलस्य पुष्करजयो द्यूते
Nala’s Victory over Puṣkara in the Dice-Game
ऋतुपर्णे गते राजन् नलो राजा विशाम्पते । नगरे कुण्डिने काल॑ नातिदीर्घमिवावसत्,राजन! ऋतुपर्णके चले जानेपर राजा नल कुण्डिनपुरमें कुछ समयतक रहे। वह काल उन्हें थोड़े समयके समान ही प्रतीत हुआ
ṛtuparṇe gate rājan nalo rājā viśāmpate | nagare kuṇḍine kālaṃ nātidīrgham ivāvasat ||
Nala nói: “Tâu Đại vương, khi vua Ṛtuparṇa đã lên đường, vua Nala—bậc chúa tể của muôn dân—ở lại thành Kuṇḍina một thời gian. Nhưng quãng ấy đối với người chẳng hề dài; nó trôi qua như chỉ một khoảnh khắc.”
नल उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how inner absorption—especially in a period of intense concern and purpose—can make time feel shortened. Ethically, it reflects steadiness and restraint: Nala does not act rashly but endures a necessary interval, showing patience amid separation and uncertainty.
After King Ṛtuparṇa leaves, Nala remains in Kuṇḍina for a while. The narrator emphasizes that this stay felt brief to Nala, marking a transition in the Nala–Damayantī episode as events move forward after Ṛtuparṇa’s departure.