Adhyāya 76: Kuṇḍina-praveśaḥ, Bhīmena satkāraḥ, Ṛtuparṇa-kṣamā, Aśvahṛdaya-pratyarpanam
Nala’s Reception and Reconciliation
दमयन्ती तु तच्छुत्वा नलस्य परिदेवितम् । प्राउजलिवेपमाना च भीता वचनमत्रवीत्,दमयन्ती नलका यह विलाप सुनकर काँप उठी और भयभीत हो हाथ जोड़कर यह वचन बोली
damayantī tu tac chrutvā nalasya paridevitam | prāñjalir vepamānā ca bhītā vacanam abravīt ||
达摩延蒂听见那罗的哀叹,便战栗不已。她惊惧之下合掌致敬而开口——言辞出自恐惧与忧念,却仍在困厄之中坚守正法之心。
बृहदश्चव उवाच
The verse highlights a dharmic response to suffering: when confronted with another’s anguish, one should respond with humility (folded hands), restraint, and compassionate speech rather than anger or rashness.
Bṛhadaśva narrates that Damayantī hears Nala’s lament. Overcome with fear and trembling, she joins her hands and begins to speak, marking a tense moment of recognition and emotional crisis in the Nala–Damayantī story.