Shloka 9
एवमुक्त्वा स नागेन्द्रो बभूवाड्गुष्ठमात्रक: । त॑ गृहीत्वा नलः प्रायाद् देशं दावविवर्जितम्,इतना कहकर नागराज कर्कोटक अँगूठेके बराबर हो गया। उसे लेकर राजा नल वनके उस प्रदेशकी ओर चले गये, जहाँ दावानल नहीं था
evam uktvā sa nāgendro babhūvāṅguṣṭha-mātrakaḥ | taṁ gṛhītvā nalaḥ prāyād deśaṁ dāvavivarjitam ||
言毕，蛇中之王便缩小至拇指般大小。那罗王将其握于掌中，启程前往林中一处不受烈焰野火侵袭的地方——在艰难旅途中，他以安稳与谨慎取代险境与躁进。
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Practical dharma in crisis: accept timely help, act with prudence, and move away from avoidable danger. The verse highlights wise risk-avoidance and the value of protective alliances even in adversity.
After speaking, the nāga-king Karkoṭaka reduces himself to thumb-size so he can be carried. Nala takes him and proceeds to a part of the forest that is not afflicted by wildfire.