Shloka 13
नलस्य बाहुकत्वेन ऋतुपर्णनगरप्रवेशः
Nala as Bāhuka enters Ṛtuparṇa’s city
दमयन्त्युवाच व्यूढोरस्क महाबाहो नैषधानां जनाधिप । क्व नु राजन् गतोअस्यद्य विसृज्य विजने वने,दमयन्ती बोली--चौड़ी छातीवाले महाबाहु निषधनरेश महाराज! आज इस निर्जन वनमें (मुझ अकेलीको) छोड़कर आप कहाँ चले गये? नरश्रेष्ठ! वीरशिरोमणे! प्रचुर दक्षिणावाले अश्वमेध आदि यज्ञोंका अनुष्ठान करके भी आप मेरे साथ मिथ्या बर्ताव क्यों कर रहे हैं?
damayanty uvāca—vyūḍhoraska mahābāho naiṣadhānāṁ janādhipa | kva nu rājan gato 'sy adya visṛjya vijane vane ||
达摩延蒂说道：“噢，胸怀宽广、臂力无双的尼沙陀之主！大王，今日你往何处去了，竟将我独自遗弃在这荒寂的森林中？”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical gravity of abandoning one’s spouse and dependent in danger. Damayantī’s address—honoring Nala’s royal and heroic identity while questioning his act—underscores the tension between outward status and inward conduct, inviting reflection on dharma in marriage and kingship.
In the Nala–Damayantī episode, Damayantī finds herself left alone in a deserted forest. She calls out to Nala, the king of Niṣadha, asking where he has gone after abandoning her, expressing shock and distress at being left in isolation.