Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 3.74
हिन्दी · தமிழ் · తెలుగు · ಕನ್ನಡ · മലയാളം · বাংলা · मराठी · ગુજરાતી · ਪੰਜਾਬੀ · ଓଡ଼ିଆ · اردو · English · Español · Français · Deutsch · Português · Русский · 中文 · 日本語 · العربية · Bahasa Indonesia · ไทย
3.74.1
सर्वं विकारं दृष्ट्वा तु पुण्यश्लोकस्य धीमतः ।
आगत्य केशिनी क्षिप्रं दमयन्त्यै न्यवेदयत् ॥ ३.७४.१ ॥
Having seen all the transformations of the one of holy renown, the wise Nala, Keśinī quickly returned and reported to Damayantī.
3.74.2
दमयन्ती ततो भूयः प्रेषयामास केशिनीम् ।
मातुः सकाशं दुःखार्ता नलशङ्कासमुत्सुका ॥ ३.७४.२ ॥
Then Damayantī, afflicted with grief and eager with suspicion of Nala, sent Keśinī once more to her mother.
3.74.3
परीक्षितो मे बहुशो बाहुको नलशङ्कया ।
रूपे मे संशयस्त्वेकः स्वयमिच्छमि वेदितुम् ॥ ३.७४.३ ॥
Doubting that he is Nala, I have tested Bāhuka many times; about his appearance I have one single doubt, which I myself wish to know.
3.74.4
स वा प्रवेश्यतां मातर्मां वाऽनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ।
विदितं वाऽथवाऽज्ञातं पितुर्मे संविधीयताम् ॥ ३.७४.४ ॥
Mother, let him be brought in, or else permit me to go; or let my father's will, whether known or unknown, be arranged.
3.74.5
एवमुक्ता तु वैदर्भ्या सा देवी भीममब्रवीत् ।
दुहितुस्तमभिप्रायमन्वजानात्स पार्थिवः ॥ ३.७४.५ ॥
When Vaidarbhī (Damayantī) had spoken thus, the queen addressed Bhīma; and the king assented to his daughter's intention.
3.74.6
सा चै पित्राऽभ्यनुज्ञाता मात्रा च भरतर्षभ ।
तयोर्नियोगात्कौरव्य केशिनीमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ ३.७४.६ ॥
O bull of the Bharatas, O descendant of the Kurus: duly permitted by her father and mother, at their command she spoke these words to Keśinī.
3.74.7
गच्छ केशिनि शीघ्रं त्वंबाहुकं पितृशासनात् ।
आनयस्व यथा माता त्वं तथा कुरु मे प्रियम् ॥ ३.७४.७ ॥
Go quickly, Keśinī, by your father's command; bring Bāhuka. As your mother has said, do what is dear to me.
3.74.8
गत्वा तु केशिनी शिघ्रं बाहुकं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ।
भीमस्य शासनात्सूतागताहं विद्धि बाहुक ॥ ३.७४.८ ॥
Then Keśinī quickly went to Bāhuka and said: I have come by Bhīma's command; know this, charioteer Bāhuka.
3.74.9
प्रविश्यतां राजवेश्म इत्युक्तो भरतर्षभ ।
बाहुकस्तु चिरं ध्यात्वा केशिन्या सह भारत।
प्रविवेश महाबाहुर्दमयन्तीनिवेशनम् ॥ ३.७४.९ ॥
Told, 'Enter the royal palace,' Bāhuka, bull of the Bharatas, pondered for a long time; then with Keśinī the mighty-armed one entered the dwelling of Damayantī.
3.74.10
नलं प्रवेशयामास यत्रतस्याः प्रतिश्रयः ॥ ३.७४.१० ॥
He brought Nala in to where her lodging was.
3.74.11
तां स्म दृष्ट्वैव सहसा दमयन्तीं नलो नृपः ।
आविष्टः शोकदुःखाभ्यां बभूवाश्रुपरिप्लुतः ॥ ३.७४.११ ॥
Seeing Damayantī, King Nala was at once seized by grief and sorrow and was flooded with tears.
3.74.12
तं तु दृष्ट्वातथायुक्तं दमयन्ती नलं तदा ।
तीव्रशोकसमाविष्टा बभूव वरवर्णिनी ॥ ३.७४.१२ ॥
Seeing Nala thus moved, Damayantī, the fair-complexioned lady, was seized by intense grief.
3.74.13
ततः काषायवसना जटिला मलपङ्किनी ।
दमयन्ती महाराज बाहुकं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ ३.७४.१३ ॥
Then Damayantī, clad in ochre robes, matted-haired and stained with dirt, O great king, spoke these words to Bāhuka.
3.74.14
पूर्वं दृष्टस्त्वया कश्चिद्धर्मज्ञो नाम बाहुक ।
सुप्तामुत्सृज्यविपिने गतो यः पुरुषः स्त्रियम् ॥ ३.७४.१४ ॥
Bāhuka, have you ever seen a man named Dharmajña, who abandoned his sleeping wife in the forest and went away?
3.74.15
अनागसं प्रियां भार्यां विजने श्रममोहिताम् ।
अपहाय तु को गच्चेत्पुण्यश्लोकमृतेनलम् ॥ ३.७४.१५ ॥
Who but Nala, of holy fame, would abandon a blameless, beloved wife, bewildered by weariness in a deserted place?
3.74.16
किमु तस्य मया बाल्यादपराद्धं महीपतेः ।
यो मामुत्सृज्य विपिने गतवान्निद्रयाऽर्दिताम् ॥ ३.७४.१६ ॥
What wrong did I, out of childishness, ever do to that king, that he abandoned me in the forest, afflicted by sleep?
3.74.17
साक्षाद्देवानपाहाय वृतो यः स पुरा मया ।
अनुव्रतामभिमतां पुत्रिणीं त्यक्तवान्कथम् ॥ ३.७४.१७ ॥
He whom I chose before, rejecting the gods themselves, how could he abandon me, devoted, beloved, and the mother of children?
3.74.18
अग्नौ पाणिगृहीता च हंसानां वचने स्थिताम् ।
भरिष्यामीति सत्यं तु प्रतिश्रुत्य क्व तद्गतम् ॥ ३.७४.१८ ॥
He who took my hand before the fire, who abided by the words of the swans, who truly vowed, 'I shall sustain you' — where has that gone?
3.74.19
दमयन्त्या ब्रुवन्त्यास्तु सर्वमेतदरिदम ।
शोकजं वारिनेत्राभ्यामसुखं प्रास्रवद्बहु ॥ ३.७४.१९ ॥
O subduer of foes, as Damayantī spoke all this, painful tears born of grief flowed in abundance from her water-filled eyes.
3.74.20
अतीव कृष्णताराभ्यां रक्तान्ताभ्यां जलंतु तत् ।
परिस्रवन्नलो राजा शोकार्तइदमब्रवीत् ॥ ३.७४.२० ॥
As the water flowed down from her very dark pupils and reddened corners, King Nala, tormented by grief, spoke these words.
3.74.21
नलोऽहं विपुलश्रोणि त्वामुत्सृज्य यतो गतः ।
आविष्टः कलिना भद्रे तेन मोहवशं गतः ॥ ३.७४.२१ ॥
I am Nala, broad-hipped lady; having abandoned you, I went away, for, O gentle one, possessed by Kali I fell under the sway of delusion.
3.74.22
मम राज्यं प्रनष्टं यन्नाहं तत्कृतवान्स्वयम् ।
कलिना तत्कृतं भीरु यच्च त्वामहमत्यजम् ॥ ३.७४.२२ ॥
The kingdom of mine that was lost, I did not myself bring that about; it was done by Kali, timid one; and that I abandoned you was also done by Kali.
3.74.23
यत्त्वया धर्मकृच्छ्रे तु शापेनाभिहतः पुरा ।
वनस्थया दुःखितया शोचन्त्या मांदिवानिशम् ॥ ३.७४.२३ ॥
That you, in a time of dharma's distress, formerly dwelling in the forest, afflicted and grieving day and night, struck me with a curse.
3.74.24
स मच्छरीरे त्वच्छापाद्दह्यमानोऽवसत्कलिः ।
त्वच्छापदग्धः सततं सोऽग्नावग्निरिवाहितः ॥ ३.७४.२४ ॥
That Kali dwelt in my body, burning by your curse; constantly burned by your curse, he remained like fire placed in fire.
3.74.25
मम च व्यवसायेन तपसा चैव निर्जितः ।
दुःखस्यान्तेन चानेन भवितव्यं हि नौ शुभे ॥ ३.७४.२५ ॥
Overcome by my resolve and by austerity, and by this, O auspicious one, the end of our sorrow will come.
3.74.26
विमुच्य मां गतः पापस्ततोऽहमिह चागतः ।
त्वदर्थं विपुलश्रोणि न हि मेऽन्यत्प्रयोजनम् ॥ ३.७४.२६ ॥
The wicked one left me; then I came here. For your sake alone have I come, O broad-hipped one; I have no other purpose.
3.74.27
कथं नु नारी भर्तारमनुरक्तमनुव्रतम् ।
उत्सृज्य वरयेदन्यं यथा त्वं भीरु कर्हिचित् ॥ ३.७४.२७ ॥
How could a woman ever abandon a devoted husband who keeps his vows and choose another, as you might ever do, O timid one?
3.74.28
दूताश्चरन्ति पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां नृपतिशासनात् ।
भैमी किल स्म भर्तारं द्वितीयं वरयिष्यति ॥ ३.७४.२८ ॥
By the king's command, messengers wander over the entire earth; it is said that Bhaimī will choose a second husband.
3.74.29
स्वैरवृत्ता यथाकाममनुरूपमिवात्मनः ।
श्रुत्वैव चैवं त्वरितो भागस्वरिरुपस्थितः ॥ ३.७४.२९ ॥
She will act freely, as she pleases, as though choosing a husband suited to herself; hearing this, I have come here in haste.
3.74.30
दमयन्ती तु तच्छ्रुत्वा नलस्य परिदेवितम् ।
प्राञ्जलिर्वेपमाना च भीता वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ३.७४.३० ॥
But Damayantī, hearing Nala's lament, folded her hands, trembling and frightened, and spoke these words.
3.74.31
न मामर्हसि कल्याण पापेन परिशङ्कितुम् ।
मया हि देवानुत्सृज्य वृतस्त्वं निषधाधिप ॥ ३.७४.३१ ॥
Do not, O auspicious one, suspect me of any wrong. Forsaking the gods, I chose you, lord of the Niṣadhas.
3.74.32
तवाभिगमनार्थं तु सर्वतो ब्राह्मणा गताः ।
वाक्यानि मम गाथाभिर्गायमाना दिशो दश ॥ ३.७४.३२ ॥
Brahmins went out on every side to go to you, singing my words in verses through the ten directions.
3.74.33
ततस्त्वां ब्राह्मणो विद्वान्पर्णादो नाम पार्थिव ।
अभ्यगच्छत्कोसलायामृतुपर्णनिवेशने ॥ ३.७४.३३ ॥
Then, O king, a learned brahmin named Parṇāda came to you in Kosala, at the residence of Ṛtuparṇa.
3.74.34
तेन वाक्ये कृतेसम्यक्प्रतिवाक्ये तथा हृते ।
उपायोऽयंमया दृष्टो नैषधानयने तव ॥ ३.७४.३४ ॥
When he had spoken his words properly and received such a reply in turn, I saw this means of bringing back the Niṣadha king.
3.74.35
त्वामृते नहि लोकेऽन्य एकाह्ना पृथिवीपते ।
समर्थो योजनशतं गन्तुमश्वैर्नराधिप ॥ ३.७४.३५ ॥
Apart from you, no other in this world, lord of the earth, is able to travel a hundred yojanas in a single day with horses, O lord of men.
3.74.36
तथापि मां महीपाल भजेतां चरणौ तव ।
स्पृशेयं तेन सत्येन पादावेतौ महीपते।
यथा नासत्कृतं किंचिन्मनसाऽपि चराम्यहम् ॥ ३.७४.३६ ॥
Even so, O protector of the earth, may you let me serve your feet. Lord of the earth, by that truth I touch these feet of yours, so that I do not commit in mind any wrong.
3.74.37
अयं चरति लोकेऽस्मिन्भूतसाक्षी सदागतिः ।
एष मे मुञ्चतु प्राणान्यदि पापं चराम्यहम् ॥ ३.७४.३७ ॥
He who moves in this world as witness of all beings, ever on the move — if I have done wrong, may he take my life.
3.74.38
यथा चरति तिग्मांशुः परितो भुवनं सदा ।
स मुञ्चतु मम प्राणान्यदि पापं चराम्यहम् ॥ ३.७४.३८ ॥
As the sharp-rayed sun ever moves all around the world — if I have done wrong, may he take my life.
3.74.39
चन्द्रमाः सर्वभूतानामन्तश्चरति साक्षिवत् ।
स मुञ्चतु मम प्राणान्यदि पापं चराम्यहम् ॥ ३.७४.३९ ॥
The moon moves within all beings as a witness — if I have done wrong, may he take my life.
3.74.40
एते देवास्त्रयः कृत्स्नं त्रैलोक्यं धारयन्ति वै ।
विब्रुवन्तु यथा सत्यमेतद्देवास्त्यजन्तु माम् ॥ ३.७४.४० ॥
These three gods indeed uphold the entire three worlds — if this is true, let the gods declare it, and let them forsake me.
3.74.41
एवमुक्ते ततो वायुरन्तरिक्षादभाषत ।
नैषा कृतवती पापं नल सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते ॥ ३.७४.४१ ॥
When this had been said, Vāyu spoke from the sky: O Nala, she has done no wrong; I tell you the truth.
3.74.42
राजञ्शीलनिधिः स्फीतो दमयन्त्या सुरक्षितः ।
साक्षिणो रक्षिणश्चास्या वयं त्रीन्परिवत्सरान् ॥ ३.७४.४२ ॥
O king, Damayantī is a rich treasury of virtue, well protected; for three years we have been her witnesses and her guardians.
3.74.43
उपायो विहितश्चायं त्वदर्थमतुलोऽनया ।
न ह्येकाह्ना शतं गन्ता त्वामृतेऽन्यः पुमानिह ॥ ३.७४.४३ ॥
This incomparable means has been devised by her for your sake; no other man here, except you, could cover a hundred yojanas in a single day.
3.74.44
उपपन्ना त्वया भैमी त्वं च भैम्या महीपते ।
नात्र शङ्का त्वया कार्या संगच्छ सह भार्यया ॥ ३.७४.४४ ॥
O lord of the earth, Bhaimī is fit for you, and you are fit for Bhaimī. Harbour no doubt here; go to your wife and be reunited with her.
3.74.45
तथा ब्रुवति वायौ तु पुष्पवृष्टिः पपात ह ।
देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुर्ववौ च पवनः शिवः ॥ ३.७४.४५ ॥
As the wind spoke thus, a shower of flowers fell, the divine drums sounded, and a gentle, auspicious breeze began to blow.
3.74.46
तदद्भुतमयं दृष्ट्वा नलो राजाऽथ भारत ।
दमयन्त्यां विशङ्कां तामुपाकर्षदरिंदमः ॥ ३.७४.४६ ॥
O Bhārata, seeing this wondrous sight, King Nala, subduer of foes, was struck with suspicion toward Damayantī.
3.74.47
ततस्तद्वस्त्रमरजः प्रावृणोद्वसुधाधिपः ।
संस्मृत्य नागराजं तं ततो लेभे स्वकं वपुः ॥ ३.७४.४७ ॥
Then the lord of the earth wrapped himself in that clean cloth, recalled the king of serpents, and regained his own form.
3.74.48
स्वरूपिणं तु भर्तारं दृष्ट्वा भीमसुता तदा ।
प्राक्रोशदुच्चैरालिङ्ग्य पुण्यश्लोकमनिन्दिता ॥ ३.७४.४८ ॥
Seeing her husband in his true form, Bhīma's daughter, the blameless one, embraced the man of holy renown and cried out aloud.
3.74.49
भैमीमपि नलो राजा भ्राजमानो यथा पुरा ।
सस्वजे स्वसुतौ चापि यथावत्प्रत्यनन्दत ॥ ३.७४.४९ ॥
King Nala, shining as he did before, embraced Bhaimī (Damayantī) as well, and he duly rejoiced over his two sons, embracing them too.
3.74.50
ततः स्वोरसि विन्यस्य वक्रं तस्य शुभानना ।
परीता तेन दुःखेन निशश्वासायतेक्षणा ॥ ३.७४.५० ॥
Then the fair-faced, large-eyed woman placed his face upon her breast, overwhelmed by that sorrow, and let out a long sigh.
3.74.51
तथैव मलदिग्धाङ्गीं परिष्वज्य शुचिस्मिताम् ।
सुचिरं पुरुषव्याघ्रस्तस्थौ शोकपरिप्लुतः ॥ ३.७४.५१ ॥
Likewise, embracing her, whose body was smeared with dirt and whose smile was pure, the tiger among men, overwhelmed with grief, stood there for a long time.
3.74.52
ततः सर्वं यथावृत्तं दमयन्त्या नलस्य च ।
भीमायाकथयत्प्रीत्या वैदर्भ्या जननी नृप ॥ ३.७४.५२ ॥
Then, O king, the mother of Vaidarbhī (Damayantī) lovingly related to Bhīma all that had befallen Damayantī and Nala, just as it had happened.
3.74.53
ततोऽब्रवीन्महाराजः कृतशौचमहंनलम् ।
दमयन्त्या सहोपेतं कल्ये द्रष्टा सुखोषितम् ॥ ३.७४.५३ ॥
Then the great king spoke to Nala, who had purified himself and had come together with Damayantī, having spent the night in comfort, and so he who beheld him in the morning.
3.74.54
ततस्तौ सहितौ रात्रिं कथयन्तौ पुरातनम् ।
वने विचरितं सर्वमूषतुर्मुदितौ नृप ॥ ३.७४.५४ ॥
Then the two of them, together, spent the night telling of old times and all that they had wandered through in the forest, and they dwelt there, delighted, O king.
3.74.55
गृहे भीमस्य नृपतेः परस्परसुखैषिणौ ।
वसेतां हृष्टसंकल्पौ वैदर्भी च नलश् ह ॥ ३.७४.५५ ॥
In the house of King Bhīma, seeking each other's happiness and with gladdened resolve, Vaidarbhī and Nala dwelt together.
3.74.56
स चतुर्थे ततो वर्षे संगम्य सह भार्यया ।
सर्वकामैः सुसिद्धार्थो लब्धवान्परमां मुदम् ॥ ३.७४.५६ ॥
Then, in the fourth year, reunited with his wife, his purpose fulfilled in all its desires, he obtained the supreme joy.
3.74.57
दमयन्त्यपि भर्तारमासाद्याप्यायिता भृशम् ।
अर्धसंजातसस्येव तोयं प्राप्य वसुंधरा ॥ ३.७४.५७ ॥
Damayantī too, having reached her husband, was greatly revived, as the earth with half-grown crops revives on receiving water.
3.74.58
सैवं समेत्य व्यपनीय तन्द्रां ।
शान्तज्वरा हर्षविवृद्धसत्त्वा।
रराज भैमी समवाप्तकामा ।
शीतांशुना रात्रिरिवोदितेन ॥ ३.७४.५८ ॥
Thus reunited, her weariness cast off and her fever calmed, her spirit grown greater with joy, Bhaimī, her desire fulfilled, shone as the night shines with the rising moon.