Shloka 12
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
ततः संख्यातुमारब्धमदशदू दशमे पदे । तस्य दष्टस्य तद् रूप॑ क्षिप्रमन््तरधीयत,तब राजा नलने अपने पग गिनने आरम्भ किये। पग गिनते-गिनते जब राजा नलने “दश' कहा, तब नागने उन्हें डँस लिया। उसके डँसते ही उनका पहला रूप तत्काल अन्तर्हित (होकर श्यामवर्ण) हो गया
tataḥ saṅkhyātum ārabdham adaśadū daśame pade | tasya daṣṭasya tad rūpaṃ kṣipram antaradhīyata |
于是他开始数自己的步伐；数到第十步时，那蛇便咬了他。被咬的一瞬间，他先前的容貌迅速隐没不见——昭示着命运骤然转折：诅咒之力与既往业果，此刻一齐成熟。
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores how karmic consequences and curses can manifest suddenly, altering one’s condition in an instant; it invites reflection on vigilance, humility, and endurance when fate turns adverse.
As Nala starts counting his steps, a serpent bites him at the tenth step, and immediately his earlier appearance disappears—marking the onset of a drastic change in his outward form and circumstances.