Shloka 2
Damayantī’s Recognition by the Piplū Mark and Her Return to Vidarbha
तत्र शुश्राव शब्दं वै मध्ये भूतस्य कस्यचित् । अभिधाव नलेत्युच्चै: पुण्यश्लोकेति चासकृत्,उसीके बीचमें उन्हें किसी प्राणीका यह शब्द सुनायी पड़ा--'पुण्यश्लोक महाराज नल! दौड़िये, मुझे बचाइये।” उच्च स्वरसे बार-बार दुहरायी गयी इस वाणीको सुनकर राजा नलने कहा--'डरो मत'। इतना कहकर वे आगके भीतर घुस गये। वहाँ उन्होंने देखा, एक नागराज कुण्डलाकार पड़ा हुआ सो रहा है
tatra śuśrāva śabdaṃ vai madhye bhūtasya kasyacit | abhidhāva nalety uccaiḥ puṇyaśloketi cāsakṛt ||
在那里，他听见仿佛有生灵在火焰中央呼喊：“快来，噢纳罗！”又一遍遍高声呼叫：“噢，普尼亚施洛迦！”听到这反复的求救声，纳罗王无畏地答道：“不要害怕。”说罢便踏入烈火之中施以护佑。（随后的情景中，他发现一位蛇王盘作一圈，沉睡不醒。）
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler’s dharma is shown as fearless compassion: when a vulnerable being cries for help, Nala does not calculate personal risk first; he offers reassurance and acts to protect, embodying ethical leadership and readiness to rescue.
While moving through a dangerous setting (the fire), Nala hears repeated cries addressing him as ‘Puṇyaśloka’ and urging him to run and save the caller. He answers ‘Do not fear’ and enters the fire, leading to the discovery of a serpent-king coiled within.