03.068
बृहदश्व उवाच॥
Bṛhadaśva said.
अथ दीर्घस्य कालस्य पर्णादो नाम वै द्विजः। प्रत्येत्य नगरं भैमीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥०३-६८-१॥
Then, after a long period, the twice-born named Parṇāda indeed, having arrived at the city, spoke these words to Bhaimī. (03-68-1)
नैषधं मृगयानेन दमयन्ति दिवानिशम्। अयोध्यां नगरीं गत्वा भाङ्गस्वरिरुपस्थितः ॥०३-६८-२॥
Damayanti hunted in the kingdom of Nishadha day and night. Having gone to the city of Ayodhya, the one with the broken voice has arrived. (03-68-2)
श्रावितश्च मया वाक्यं त्वदीयं स महाजने। ऋतुपर्णो महाभागो यथोक्तं वरवर्णिनि ॥०३-६८-३॥
O beautiful lady, your statement has also been announced by me in the great assembly as stated, to Ṛtuparṇa, the most fortunate one. (03-68-3)
तच्छ्रुत्वा नाब्रवीत्किञ्चिदृतुपर्णो नराधिपः। न च पारिषदः कश्चिद्भाष्यमाणो मयासकृत् ॥०३-६८-४॥
Having heard that, King Ṛtuparṇa did not say anything, nor did any of the courtiers, though I repeatedly spoke to them. (03-68-4)
अनुज्ञातं तु मां राज्ञा विजने कश्चिदब्रवीत्। ऋतुपर्णस्य पुरुषो बाहुको नाम नामतः ॥०३-६८-५॥
But permitted by the king, someone spoke to me in a secluded place: the man of Ṛtuparṇa named Bāhuka by name. (03-68-5)
सूतस्तस्य नरेन्द्रस्य विरूपो ह्रस्वबाहुकः। शीघ्रयाने सुकुशलो मृष्टकर्ता च भोजने ॥०३-६८-६॥
The charioteer of that king was ugly and short-armed; he was skilled in driving swiftly, very capable, and an excellent cook. (03-68-6)
स विनिःश्वस्य बहुशो रुदित्वा च मुहुर्मुहुः। कुशलं चैव मां पृष्ट्वा पश्चादिदमभाषत ॥०३-६८-७॥
He sighed deeply many times, wept repeatedly, and after asking about my well-being, then spoke the following words. (03-68-7)
वैषम्यमपि सम्प्राप्ता गोपायन्ति कुलस्त्रियः। आत्मानमात्मना सत्यो जितस्वर्गा न संशयः ॥ रहिता भर्तृभिश्चैव न क्रुध्यन्ति कदाचन ॥०३-६८-८॥
Even when faced with adversity, noble women protect themselves on their own. Truly, they are conquerors of heaven—there is no doubt. Even when deprived of their husbands, they never become angry. (03-68-8)
विषमस्थेन मूढेन परिभ्रष्टसुखेन च। यत्सा तेन परित्यक्ता तत्र न क्रोद्धुमर्हति ॥०३-६८-९॥
A woman abandoned by a man who is suffering adversity, deluded, and deprived of happiness, should not become angry in such a situation. (03-68-9)
प्राणयात्रां परिप्रेप्सोः शकुनैर्हृतवाससः। आधिभिर्दह्यमानस्य श्यामा न क्रोद्धुमर्हति ॥०३-६८-१०॥
Śyāmā should not be angry at a person, suffering due to afflictions, whose clothing was taken away by birds while he struggled just to keep alive. (03-68-10)
सत्कृतासत्कृता वापि पतिं दृष्ट्वा तथागतम्। भ्रष्टराज्यं श्रिया हीनं श्यामा न क्रोद्धुमर्हति ॥०३-६८-११॥
Whether honored or dishonored, even after seeing her husband come in such a state—deprived of kingdom and bereft of prosperity—the dark-complexioned woman should not be angry. (03-68-11)
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा त्वरितोऽहमिहागतः। श्रुत्वा प्रमाणं भवती राज्ञश्चैव निवेदय ॥०३-६८-१२॥
Having heard his statements, I quickly came here. After hearing this evidence, you should convey it to the king as well. (03-68-12)
एतच्छ्रुत्वाश्रुपूर्णाक्षी पर्णादस्य विशां पते। दमयन्ती रहोऽभ्येत्य मातरं प्रत्यभाषत ॥०३-६८-१३॥
Having heard this, with her eyes full of tears, Damayantī, after coming in private from the leaf, addressed her mother, O lord of the peoples. (03-68-13)
अयमर्थो न संवेद्यो भीमे मातः कथञ्चन। त्वत्संनिधौ समादेक्ष्ये सुदेवं द्विजसत्तमम् ॥०३-६८-१४॥
O mother, Bhima must not know of this matter in any way. In your presence, I will carefully observe Sudeva, the best of Brahmins. (03-68-14)
यथा न नृपतिर्भीमः प्रतिपद्येत मे मतम्। तथा त्वया प्रयत्तव्यं मम चेत्प्रियमिच्छसि ॥०३-६८-१५॥
Just as King Bhīma would not accept my opinion, in the same way, you must make an effort, if you wish to please me. (03-68-15)
यथा चाहं समानीता सुदेवेनाशु बान्धवान्। तेनैव मङ्गलेनाशु सुदेवो यातु माचिरम् ॥ समानेतुं नलं मातरयोध्यां नगरीमितः ॥०३-६८-१६॥
Just as I have swiftly brought the relatives through Sudeva, let Sudeva himself, with auspiciousness, quickly go and bring Nala and mother to the city of Ayodhya from here without delay. (03-68-16)
विश्रान्तं च ततः पश्चात्पर्णादं द्विजसत्तमम्। अर्चयामास वैदर्भी धनेनातीव भामिनी ॥०३-६८-१७॥
Then, after Parṇāda, the foremost of Brāhmaṇas, had rested, Vaidehi, the exceedingly beautiful woman, worshipped him with wealth. (03-68-17)
नले चेहागते विप्र भूयो दास्यामि ते वसु। त्वया हि मे बहु कृतं यथा नान्यः करिष्यति ॥ यद्भर्त्राहं समेष्यामि शीघ्रमेव द्विजोत्तम ॥०३-६८-१८॥
When Nala comes here, O brāhmaṇa, I will again give you wealth, for you have done for me much that no one else would do. I shall soon be reunited with my husband, O best of brāhmaṇas. (03-68-18)
एवमुक्तोऽर्चयित्वा तामाशीर्वादैः सुमङ्गलैः। गृहानुपययौ चापि कृतार्थः स महामनाः ॥०३-६८-१९॥
Having been thus addressed, he worshipped her with blessings and auspicious words; then, the great-minded one, his purpose accomplished, also went home. (03-68-19)
ततश्चानाय्य तं विप्रं दमयन्ती युधिष्ठिर। अब्रवीत्संनिधौ मातुर्दुःखशोकसमन्विता ॥०३-६८-२०॥
Then, having brought that brāhmaṇa, Damayantī, filled with sorrow and grief, spoke to Yudhiṣṭhira in her mother's presence. (03-68-20)
गत्वा सुदेव नगरीमयोध्यावासिनं नृपम्। ऋतुपर्णं वचो ब्रूहि पतिमन्यं चिकीर्षती ॥ आस्थास्यति पुनर्भैमी दमयन्ती स्वयंवरम् ॥०३-६८-२१॥
Go, Sudeva, to the city and speak to King Ṛtuparṇa of Ayodhya: "Damayantī, daughter of Bhīma, is desiring another husband and will hold a svayaṁvara again." (03-68-21)
तत्र गच्छन्ति राजानो राजपुत्राश्च सर्वशः। यथा च गणितः कालः श्वोभूते स भविष्यति ॥०३-६८-२२॥
There, kings and princes all go together; when the computed time arises tomorrow, it will happen. (03-68-22)
यदि सम्भावनीयं ते गच्छ शीघ्रमरिंदम। सूर्योदये द्वितीयं सा भर्तारं वरयिष्यति ॥ न हि स ज्ञायते वीरो नलो जीवन्मृतोऽपि वा ॥०३-६८-२३॥
If it is possible for you, go quickly, O subduer of foes. At sunrise, she will choose another husband. For that heroic Nala is not recognized as living or dead. (03-68-23)
एवं तया यथोक्तं वै गत्वा राजानमब्रवीत्। ऋतुपर्णं महाराज सुदेवो ब्राह्मणस्तदा ॥०३-६८-२४॥
Thus, as instructed by her, Sudeva the Brahmin went and addressed King Rituparna, O great king, at that time. (03-68-24)
