Lonely travails of दमयन्ती in the forest

अपक्रान्ते नले राजन् दमयन्ती गतक्लमा ⁠। अबुध्यत वरारोहा संत्रस्ता विजने वने ⁠।⁠।⁠ १ ⁠।⁠।

अपश्यमाना भर्तारं शोकदुःखसमन्विता ⁠। प्राक्रोशदुच्चैः संत्रस्ता महाराजेति नैषधम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २ ⁠।⁠।

Said बृहदश्व मुनि — O राजन्! After नल left, दमयन्ती woke up and opened her eyes after she was fully rested. And not seeing her husband in the lonely forest, दमयन्ती was overcome with fear and sadness. Getting scared, she called out aloud to the king of निषध, नल “O King! Where are you?”.

हा नाथ हा महाराज हा स्वामिन् किं जहासि माम् ⁠। हा हतास्मि विनष्टास्मि भीतास्मि विजने वने ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३ ⁠।⁠।

ननु नाम महाराज धर्मज्ञः सत्यवागसि ⁠। कथमुक्त्वा तथा सत्यं सुप्तामुत्सृज्य कानने ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४ ⁠।⁠।

कथमुत्सृज्य गन्तासि दक्षां भार्यामनुव्रताम् ⁠। विशेषतोऽनपकृते परेणापकृते सति ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५ ⁠।⁠।

‘हा नाथ! हा महाराज! हा स्वामिन्! Why have you abandoned me? I have been hit, beaten, I am getting very scared in this lonely forest.

O महाराज! You are always aligned to धर्म and speaking Truth; then why can you abandon your vow (to never leave me at all time) and leave me alone in this forest all alone while I am asleep?

I have always been a capable and loving wife in serving you. More specifically, you have never faced any problem owing to any of my actions. If I there has been any mistake, it was always by someone else but not by me; even then, you choose to abandon and leave me?

शक्यसे ता गिरः सम्यक् कर्तुं मयि नरेश्वर ⁠। यास्तेषां लोकपालानां संनिधौ कथिताः पुरा ⁠।⁠।⁠ ६ ⁠।⁠।

नाकाले विहितो मृत्युर्मर्त्यानां पुरुषर्षभ ⁠। तत्र कान्ता त्वयोत्सृष्टा मुहूर्तमपि जीवति ⁠।⁠।⁠ ७ ⁠।⁠।

पर्याप्तः परिहासोऽयमेतावान् पुरुषर्षभ ⁠। भीताहमतिदुर्धर्ष दर्शयात्मानमीश्वर ⁠।⁠।⁠ ८ ⁠।⁠।

दृश्यसे दृश्यसे राजन्नेष दृष्टोऽसि नैषध ⁠। आवार्य गुल्मैरात्मानं किं मां न प्रतिभाषसे ⁠।⁠।⁠ ९ ⁠।⁠।

O नरेश्वर! Whatever words you had uttered in front of the लोकपालs during our स्वयंवर, can you make those words come true towards me?

O पुरुषशिरोमणे! It is clear that death does not come at in inappropriate time, and this is why this loving person is still alive despite being away from you.

O पुरुषश्रेष्ठ! Enough of your humour (act of jest). O formidable strong man! I am feeling very scared. O प्राणेश्वर! Kindly grace me with your physical presence.

O राजन्! O King of निषध! You are visible, You are visible, I can see you! Hiding behind the creepers, why do you not speak to me?

शंसं बत राजेन्द्र यन्मामेवंगतामिह ⁠। विलपन्तीं समागम्य नाश्वासयसि पार्थिव ⁠।⁠।⁠ १० ⁠।⁠।

न शोचाम्यहमात्मानं न चान्यदपि किंचन ⁠। कथं नु भवितास्येक इति त्वां नृप शोचिमि ⁠।⁠।⁠ ११ ⁠।⁠।

कथं नु राजंस्तृषितः क्षुधितः श्रमकर्षितः ⁠। सायाह्ने वृक्षमूलेषु मामपश्यन् भविष्यसि ⁠।⁠।⁠ १२ ⁠।⁠।

ततः सा तीव्रशोकार्ता प्रदीप्तेव च मन्युना ⁠। इतश्चेतश्च रुदती पर्यधावत दुःखिता ⁠।⁠।⁠ १३ ⁠।⁠।

O राजेन्द्र! Here I am ranting with fear and worry and you are not even placating me! O भूपाल! You are being ruthless (in your conduct).

O नरेश्वर! I am not worried about myself. I am not worried about any other thing. I am worried only for you as to what regrettable state you will fall in when you are alone.

O राजन्! Filled with hunger and thirst and in a state of extreme tired-ness, when you sit below a tree in late evening to take rest, what will your state be when you will not see me around you?

Then, filled with deep sorrow and looking as if she is extremely angry, she cried while moving around here and there.

मुहुरुत्पतते बाला मुहुः पतति विह्वला ⁠। मुहुरालीयते भीता मुहुः क्रोशति रोदिति ⁠।⁠।⁠ १४ ⁠।⁠।

अतीव शोकसंतप्ता मुहुर्निःश्वस्य विह्वला ⁠। उवाच भैमी निःश्वस्य रुदत्यथ पतिव्रता ⁠।⁠।⁠ १५ ⁠।⁠।

यस्याभिशापाद् दुःखार्तो दुःखं विन्दति नैषधः ⁠। तस्य भूतस्य नो दुःखाद् दुःखमप्यधिकं भवेत् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १६ ⁠।⁠।

दमयन्ती kept on getting up again and again but used to fall again on account of being over-whelmed. Some time, she will become scared and hide but at other times, she will loudly shout and cry.

Owing to deep sorrow, she let out long sighs and becoming deeply disappointed and breathless, she said these words while crying out

Let the person owing to whom the king of निषध, नल, is pained with sorrow and experience one problem after another, may this person also experience a higher quantum of sorrow.

अपापचेतसं पापो य एवं कृतवान् नलम् ⁠। तस्माद् दुःखतरं प्राप्य जीवत्वसुखजीविकाम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १७ ⁠।⁠।

एवं तु विलपन्ती सा राज्ञो भार्या महात्मनः ⁠। अन्वेषमाणा भर्तारं वने श्वापदसेविते ⁠।⁠।⁠ १८ ⁠।⁠।

उन्मत्तवद् भीमसुता विलपन्ती इतस्ततः ⁠। हा हा राजन्निति मुहुरितश्चेतश्च धावति ⁠।⁠।⁠ १९ ⁠।⁠।

तां क्रन्दमानामत्यर्थं कुररीमिव वाशतीम् ⁠। करुणं बहु शोचन्तीं विलपन्तीं मुहुर्मुहुः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २० ⁠।⁠।

सहसाभ्यागतां भैमीमभ्याशपरिवर्तिनीम् ⁠। जग्राहाजगरो ग्राहो महाकायः क्षुधान्वितः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २१ ⁠।⁠।

May the पापी who put the virtuous नल in such a condition experience a greater amount sorrow and live a sorrowful life.

Ranting in this way and exclaiming the words हा राजन्! हा महाराज! again and again, दमयन्ती, the daughter of भीम and being aggrieved, kept running here and there searching for the king नल in the forest filled with violent animals.

She kept on cooing (or wailing) loudly like the कुररी bird and lamenting continually filled with extreme sorrow. Close to her, there was situated a large hungry python – this python moved around दमयन्ती for a while and then came close and started circling her (thereby firmly gripping her).

सा ग्रस्यमाना ग्राहेण शोकेन च परिप्लुता ⁠। नात्मानं शोचति तथा यथा शोचति नैषधम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २२ ⁠।⁠।

हा नाथ मामिह वने ग्रस्यमानामनाथवत् ⁠। ग्राहेणानेन विजने किमर्थं नानुधावसि ⁠।⁠।⁠ २३ ⁠।⁠।

कथं भविष्यसि पुनर्मामनुस्मृत्य नैषध ⁠। कथं भवाञ्जगामाद्य मामुत्सृज्य वने प्रभो ⁠।⁠।⁠ २४ ⁠।⁠।

And despite being under the hold of a python, दमयन्ती was wailing not for herself but for her husband, the king of निषध.

(She said) ‘हा नाथ! In this lonely forest, this python is grabbing and trying to consume me as an orphan. Why are you not coming quickly to rescue me?

O निषधनरेश! If I die, what will be your state when you keep on remembering me? O प्रभो! When have you left me alone here in the forest?

पापान्मुक्तः पुनर्लब्ध्वा बुद्धिं चेतो धनानि च ⁠। श्रान्तस्य ते क्षुधार्तस्य परिग्लानस्य नैषध ⁠। कः श्रमं राजशार्दूल नाशयिष्यति तेऽनघ ⁠।⁠।⁠ २५ ⁠।⁠।

ततः कश्चिन्मृगव्याधो विचरन् गहने वने ⁠। आक्रन्दमानां संश्रुत्य जवेनाभिससार ह ⁠।⁠।⁠ २६ ⁠।⁠।

O King of निषध who does not पाप! Once you are able to cross over the current state of distress and you regain pure बुद्धि, intellect, wealth, etc, how will you lead life without me around you? O नृपप्रवर! When you are extremely tired with hunger and also filled with sadness, at such a time, who will be around you to take care of your tiredness?

At around this time, a hunter was moving around in the lonely forest. He heard the pitiful cries of दमयन्ती and came rushing towards her.

तां तु दृष्ट्वा तथा ग्रस्तामुरगेणायतेक्षणाम् ⁠। त्वरमाणो मृगव्याधः समभिक्रम्य वेगतः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २७ ⁠।⁠।

मुखतः पाटयामास शस्त्रेण निशितेन च ⁠। निर्विचेष्टं भुजङ्गं तं विशस्य मृगजीवनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ २८ ⁠।⁠।

मोक्षयित्वा स तां व्याधः प्रक्षाल्य सलिलेन ह ⁠। समाश्वास्य कृताहारामथ पप्रच्छ भारत ⁠।⁠।⁠ २९ ⁠।⁠।

कस्य त्वं मृगशावाक्षि कथं चाभ्यागता वनम् ⁠। कथं चेदं महत् कृच्छ्रं प्राप्तवत्यसि भाविनि ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३० ⁠।⁠।

Seeing the maiden with big eyes being devoured by the python, the hunter quickly came running and using his weapons, broken open the jaws of the python. The python moved about in pain and eventually became listless. Then, the hunter who used to hunt animals cut the python to pieces and thus saved दमयन्ती. Then he poured water over her to wash from the marks left by the python and made arrangements of food for her. O भारत! When she finished eating, then the hunter asked her.

O मृगलोचने! Who are you a wife of and how did you end up inside this forest? O भामिनि! How did you get yourself into this difficult situation?

दमयन्ती तथा तेन पृच्छ्यमाना विशाम्पते ⁠। सर्वमेतद् यथावृत्तमाचचक्षेऽस्य भारत ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३१ ⁠।⁠।

तामर्धवस्त्रसंवीतां पीनश्रोणिपयोधराम् ⁠। सुकुमारानवद्याङ्गीं पूर्णचन्द्रनिभाननाम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३२ ⁠।⁠।

अरालपक्ष्मनयनां तथा मधुरभाषिणीम् ⁠। लक्षयित्वा मृगव्याधः कामस्य वशमीयिवान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३३ ⁠।⁠।

O भरतवंशी नरेश युधिष्ठिर! When asked by the hunter, दमयन्ती shared the complete detail in an as-is manner.

The princess of विदर्भ was wearing a partial dress only covering her well-formed hips and breasts. Her face was like the glowing moon and every part of the body of दमयन्ती was delicate and without any blemish. Her eyes were ornamented by oblique eyelashes and she also sported a sweet voice. Turning his attention to these (physical) aspects, the hunter was enveloped by lust towards her.

तामेवं श्लक्ष्णया वाचा लुब्धको मृदुपूर्वया ⁠। सान्त्वयामास कामार्तस्तदबुध्यत भाविनी ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३४ ⁠।⁠।

दमयन्त्यपि तं दुष्टमुपलभ्य पतिव्रता ⁠। तीव्ररोषसमाविष्टा प्रजज्वालेव मन्युना ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३५ ⁠।⁠।

स तु पापमतिः क्षुद्रः प्रधर्षयितुमातुरः ⁠। दुर्धर्षां तर्कयामास दीप्तामग्निशिखामिव ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३६ ⁠।⁠।

दमयन्ती तु दुःखार्ता पतिराज्यविनाकृता ⁠। अतीतवाक्पथे काले शशापैनं रुषान्विता ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३७ ⁠।⁠।

He started speaking in a sweet and calm voice and kept on assuring her not to worry within the intent of seducing her. The hunter was overcome with lust. The pure दमयन्ती could recognize the mental state of the hunter.

Recognizing the lusty expression, पतिव्रता दमयन्ती was overcome with extreme anger and took on a fiery expression.

While the hunter was getting impatient and was keen to take control of her sexually, he was unable to touch her since she was glowing like a fiery flame.

Losing both her husband and kingdom, दमयन्ती was already overcome with sorrow. And here, it appeared that the overtures of the hunter could not be stopped despite telling him to stop his actions. Then, she cursed the hunter.

यद्यहं नैषधादन्यं मनसापि न चिन्तये ⁠। तथायं पततां क्षुद्रो परासुर्मृगजीवनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३८ ⁠।⁠।

उक्तमात्रे तु वचने तथा स मृगजीवनः ⁠। व्यसुः पपात मेदिन्यामग्निदग्ध इव द्रुमः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३९ ⁠।⁠।

If I have ever thought even in my mind of any person other than my husband नल, the king of निषध, then let this puny hunter fall down and die.

The moment दमयन्ती uttered these words, the hunter fell down on the earth just as a tree burnt with fire.

बृहदश्व उवाच

सा निहत्य मृगव्याधं प्रतस्थे कमलेक्षणा ⁠। वनं प्रतिभयं शून्यं झिल्लिकागणनादितम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ १ ⁠।⁠।

Said बृहदश्व मुनि — O राजन्! After destroying the hunter, the lotus eyed princess entered deeper into the scary and lonely forest.

Note: I have not translated “झिल्लिकागणनादितम्” – it is essentially describing a type of sound the forest was making.

सिंहद्वीपिरुरुव्याघ्रमहिषर्क्षगणैर्युतम् ⁠। नानापक्षिगणाकीर्णं म्लेच्छतस्करसेवितम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २ ⁠।⁠।

शालवेणुधवाश्वत्थतिन्दुकेङ्‌गुदकिंशुकैः ⁠। अर्जुनारिष्टसंछन्नं स्यन्दनैश्च सशाल्मलैः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३ ⁠।⁠।

जम्ब्वाम्रलोध्रखदिरसालवेत्रसमाकुलम् ⁠। पद्मकामलकप्लक्षकदम्बोदुम्बरावृतम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४ ⁠।⁠।

बदरीबिल्वसंछन्नं न्यग्रोधैश्च समाकुलम् ⁠। प्रियालतालखर्जूरहरीतकबिभीतकैः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५ ⁠।⁠।

That forest was infested with animals like lions, cheetahs, musk deers, tigers, buffaloes, bears, etc  and many-many types of flocks of birds. Various types of म्लेच्छs and smugglers were living in this place.

The forest was full of trees like शाल (Sal), वेणु (bamboo), धव, पीपल, तिन्दुक, इंगुद, पलाश, अर्जुन, अरिष्ट, स्यन्दन (तिनिश), सेमल, जामुन, आम (mango), लोध, खैर, साखू, बेंत (cane), पद्मक, आँवला, पाकर, कदम्ब, गूलर, बेर, बेल, बरगद (Banyan), प्रियाल, ताल, खजूर (date), हर्रे तथा बहेड़े.

नानाधातुशतैर्नद्धान् विविधानपि चाचलान् ⁠। निकुञ्जान् परिसंघुष्टान् दरीश्चाद्भुतदर्शनाः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ६ ⁠।⁠।

नदीः सरांसि वापीश्च विविधांश्च मृगद्विजान् ⁠। सा बहून् भीमरूपांश्च पिशाचोरगराक्षसान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ७ ⁠।⁠।

पल्वलानि तडागानि गिरिकूटानि सर्वशः ⁠। सरितो निर्झराश्चैव ददर्शाद्भुतदर्शनान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ८ ⁠।⁠।

यूथशो ददृशे चात्र विदर्भाधिपनन्दिनी ⁠। महिषांश्च वराहांश्च ऋक्षांश्च वनपन्नगान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ९ ⁠।⁠।

तेजसा यशसा लक्ष्म्या स्थित्या च परया युता ⁠। वैदर्भी विचरत्येका नलमन्वेषती तदा ⁠।⁠।⁠ १० ⁠।⁠।

दमयन्ती also saw many types of mountains filled with medicinal plants and singing chirping birds along with groves and unusual caves.

So many rivers, lakes and step-wells as well as various other types of animals and birds were seen by her. She also saw scary formed पिशाच, नाग and राक्षसs there. She also observed many craters, ponds and mountain peaks. She was also many tributaries and extraordinary water-falls.

The princess of विदर्भ saw many flocks of buffaloes, bears and forest snakes. She who was bright, famous and highest courage moved alone in search of नल.

नाबिभ्यत् सा नृपसुता भैमी तत्राथ कस्यचित् ⁠। दारुणामटवीं प्राप्य भर्तृव्यसनपीडिता ⁠।⁠।⁠ ११ ⁠।⁠।

विदर्भतनया राजन् विललाप सुदुःखिता ⁠। भर्तृशोकपरीताङ्गी शिलातलमथाश्रिता ⁠।⁠।⁠ १२ ⁠।⁠।

She was immersed in the tragedy of being separated from her husband. Therefore, despite moving about in the dangerous forest, she was not afraid of any animals.

O राजन्! In every pore of her body, the sadness from separation pangs of her husband were visible and sitting on a rock overcome with sadness, she stated

दमयन्त्युवाच

व्यूढोरस्क महाबाहो नैषधानां जनाधिप ⁠। क्व नु राजन् गतोऽस्यद्य विसृज्य विजने वने ⁠।⁠।⁠ १३ ⁠।⁠।

अश्वमेधादिभिर्वीर क्रतुभिर्भूरिदक्षिणैः ⁠। कथमिष्ट्वा नरव्याघ्र मयि मिथ्या प्रवर्तसे ⁠।⁠।⁠ १४ ⁠।⁠।

Said दमयन्ती — O King of निषध having broad shoulders! Today, why have your left me in this lonely forest all alone? O नरश्रेष्ठ! O वीरशिरोमणे! You have performed अश्वमेध यज्ञ which was performed with abundant दक्षिणा but despite this, you have behaved inappropriately with me.

यत् त्वयोक्तं नरश्रेष्ठ तत् समक्षं महाद्युते ⁠। स्मर्तुमर्हसि कल्याण वचनं पार्थिवर्षभ ⁠।⁠।⁠ १५ ⁠।⁠।

यच्चोक्तं विहगैर्हंसैः समीपे तव भूमिप ⁠। मत्समक्षं यदुक्तं च तदवेक्षितुमर्हसि ⁠।⁠।⁠ १६ ⁠।⁠।

चत्वार एकतो वेदाः साङ्गोपाङ्गाः सविस्तराः ⁠। स्वधीता मनुजव्याघ्र सत्यमेकं किलैकतः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १७ ⁠।⁠।

तस्मादर्हसि शत्रुघ्न सत्यं कर्तुं नरेश्वर ⁠। उक्तवानसि यद् वीर मत्सकाशे पुरा वचः ⁠।⁠।⁠ १८ ⁠।⁠।

O Greatest among the highly intelligent and auspicious kings! What words you have earlier uttered to me, it seems appropriate now to recall these words.

O भूमिपाल! Do contemplate on the words that the swans had conveyed to both you and me.

O नरसिंह! If on the one hand, one places comprehensive self-study of every अंग और उपांग of the four वेद and on the other hand, places speaking of truth, it is certainly the latter that has higher value.

Therefore, O destroyer of enemies नरेश्वर! O वीर! Whatever words you have spoken earlier to me, you should make them fruition first.

हा वीर नल नामाहं नष्टा किल तवानघ ⁠। अस्यामटव्यां घोरायां किं मां न प्रतिभाषसे ⁠।⁠।⁠ १९ ⁠।⁠।

कर्षयत्येष मां रौद्रो व्यात्तास्यो दारुणाकृतिः ⁠। अरण्यराट् क्षुधाविष्टः किं मां न त्रातुमर्हसि ⁠।⁠।⁠ २० ⁠।⁠।

न मे त्वदन्या काचिद्धि प्रियास्तीत्यब्रवीः सदा ⁠। तामृतां कुरु कल्याण पुरोक्तां भारतीं नृप ⁠।⁠।⁠ २१ ⁠।⁠।

उन्मत्तां विलपन्तीं मां भार्यामिष्टां नराधिप ⁠। ईप्सितामीप्सितोऽसि त्वं किं मां न प्रतिभाषसे ⁠।⁠।⁠ २२ ⁠।⁠।

O blameless courageous नल! I am your दमयन्ती who is getting destroyed in the forest; how come you are not responding to my words?

This cruel lion having a dangerous and cruel form is hungry and looks to attack me – will you not protect me?

O Magnanimous king! You always used to tell me that no other woman appeals to you, then you should make the word true.

O महाराज! I am your dear wife and you are my dear husband and how come you are not responding to me in this state when I am continually wailing?

कृशां दीनां विवर्णां च मलिनां वसुधाधिप ⁠। वस्त्रार्धप्रावृतामेकां विलपन्तीमनाथवत् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २३ ⁠।⁠।

यूथभ्रष्टामिवैकां मां हरिणीं पृथुलोचन ⁠। न मानयसि मामार्य रुदन्तीमरिकर्शन ⁠।⁠।⁠ २४ ⁠।⁠।

महाराज महारण्ये अहमेकाकिनी सती ⁠। दमयन्त्यभिभाषे त्वां किं मां न प्रतिभाषसे ⁠।⁠।⁠ २५ ⁠।⁠।

कुलशीलोपसम्पन्न चारुसर्वाङ्गशोभन ⁠। नाद्य त्वां प्रतिपश्यामि गिरावस्मिन् नरोत्तम ⁠।⁠।⁠ २६ ⁠।⁠।

O पृथ्वीनाथ! I am destitute, weak, loss my lustre, filthy and in scantily-clad dress, I am covering my body and wailing as if I am an orphan. O wide-eyed आर्य! My condition is similar to that of a deer which has become alone and separated from its pack. I am crying alone here. But continue to disrespect me.

O महाराज! In this great forest, I, the pure दमयन्ती is calling out for you alone, why are you not giving a response?

O नरश्रेष्ठ! You are from a good family and your character is also calm. You are endowed with good looking physical attributes too. But sitting on this mountain peak, I am unable to see you.

वने चास्मिन् महाघोरे सिंहव्याघ्रनिषेविते ⁠। शयानमुपविष्टं वा स्थितं वा निषधाधिप ⁠।⁠।⁠ २७ ⁠।⁠।

प्रस्थितं वा नरश्रेष्ठ मम शोकविवर्धन ⁠। कं नु पृच्छामि दुःखार्ता त्वदर्थे शोककर्शिता ⁠।⁠।⁠ २८ ⁠।⁠।

कच्चिद् दृष्टस्त्वयारण्ये संगत्येह नलो नृपः ⁠। को नु मे वाथ प्रष्टव्यो वनेऽस्मिन् प्रस्थितं नलम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ २९ ⁠।⁠।

अभिरूपं महात्मानं परव्यूहविनाशनम् ⁠। यमन्वेषसि राजानं नलं पद्मनिभेक्षणम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३० ⁠।⁠।

O निषधनरेश! In this dangerous forest where lions are moving about everywhere, are you sleeping, sitting or standing?

O One who is increasing my anxiety! Are you still here or have you gone somewhere else, whom do I ask? Thinking about you, I have become weak and filled with extreme sadness.

“Have you met king नल in this forest?” – to whom do I address such a question.

“The one who destroys the army formation of the enemies as well as one who is extremely handsome lotus eyed great king whom you are looking for is here only” – from whom will I hear such sweet words today?

अयं स इति कस्याद्य श्रोष्यामि मधुरां गिरम्।  अरण्यराडयं श्रीमांश्चतुर्दंष्ट्रो महाहनुः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३१ ⁠।⁠।

शार्दूलोऽभिमुखोऽभ्येति व्रजाम्येनमशङ्किता ⁠। भवान् मृगाणामधिपस्त्वमस्मिन् कानने प्रभुः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३२ ⁠।⁠।

विदर्भराजतनयां दमयन्तीति विद्धि माम् ⁠। निषधाधिपतेर्भार्यां नलस्यामित्रघातिनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३३ ⁠।⁠।

पतिमन्वेषतीमेकां कृपणां शोककर्षिताम् ⁠। आश्वासय मृगेन्द्रेह यदि दृष्टस्त्वया नलः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३४ ⁠।⁠।

“He is walking in front of me who looks like the effulgent lion which walks around like a king of the forest; he has four molars and a massive chin. He is walking in front of me and with no doubt in my mind, I am saying “You are the lord of the lions and king of the forest”

I am दमयन्ती, the princess of विदर्भ. You may know me as the wife of नल, the king of निषध.

O मृगेन्द्र! I am moving around in the forest alone to search for my husband and am filled with pain and anxiety. If you have seen नल then can you assure me by conveying his whereabouts?

अथवा त्वं वनपते नलं यदि न शंससि ⁠। मां खादय मृगश्रेष्ठ दुःखादस्माद् विमोचय ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३५ ⁠।⁠।

श्रुत्वारण्ये विलपितं न मामाश्वासयत्ययम् ⁠। यात्येतां स्वादुसलिलामापगां सागरंगमाम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३६ ⁠।⁠।

इमं शिलोच्चयं पुण्यं शृङ्गैर्बहुभिरुच्छ्रितैः ⁠। विराजद्भिरिवानेकैर्नैकवर्णैर्मनोरमैः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३७ ⁠।⁠।

नानाधातुसमाकीर्णं विविधोपलभूषितम् ⁠। अस्यारण्यस्य महतः केतुभूतमिवोत्थितम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३८ ⁠।⁠।

Or वनराज मृगश्रेष्ठ! If you are unable to give me any news about नल, then kindly eat me so that I can get rid of my sorrow.

अहो! In this thick forest, despite listening to my wailing, the lion is not giving me any form of assurance. It is in fact moving towards the sweet-watered river that eventually culminates into the sea.

In that case, let me ask this sacred mountain. This is adorned with auspicious, multi-coloured and beautiful peaks.

The mountain looks filled with medicinal plants and numerous stone blocks. The mountain looks like a flag standing atop this great forest.

सिंहशार्दूलमातङ्गवराहर्क्षमृगायुतम् ⁠। पतत्त्रिभिर्बहुविधैः समन्तादनुनादितम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ३९ ⁠।⁠।

किंशुकाशोकबकुलपुन्नागैरुपशोभितम् ⁠। कर्णिकारधवप्लक्षैः सुपुष्पैरुपशोभितम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४० ⁠।⁠।

सरिद्भिः सविहङ्गाभिः शिखरैश्च समाकुलम् ⁠। गिरिराजमिमं तावत् पृच्छामि नृपतिं प्रति ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४१ ⁠।⁠।

भगवन्नचलश्रेष्ठ दिव्यदर्शन विश्रुत ⁠। शरण्य बहुकल्याण नमस्तेऽस्तु महीधर ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४२ ⁠।⁠।

This place too is filled with lions, tigers, elephants, wild boars, bears and deers. On all four sides, various kinds of birds are flying all around.

The mountain is adorned with many beautiful flowery trees like पलाश, अशोक, बकुल, पुन्नाग, कनेर, धव and प्लक्ष, etc.

The mountain is abounding in lakes, beautiful birds and high peaks. Now, I will ask this king of mountains to give me news about नल.

O भगवन्! O Chief of mountains! O one with divine vision! O famed one! O supreme auspicious one who gives protection to all! Kindly accept my नमस्कार.

प्रणमाम्यभिगम्याहं राजपुत्रीं निबोध माम् ⁠। राज्ञः स्नुषां राजभार्यां दमयन्तीति विश्रुताम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४३ ⁠।⁠।

राजा विदर्भाधिपतिः पिता मम महारथः ⁠। भीमो नाम क्षितिपतिश्चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य रक्षिता ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४४ ⁠।⁠।

राजसूयाश्वमेधानां क्रतूनां दक्षिणावताम् ⁠। आहर्ता पार्थिवश्रेष्ठः पृथुचार्वञ्चितेक्षणः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४५ ⁠।⁠।

ब्रह्मण्यः साधुवृत्तश्च सत्यवागनसूयकः ⁠। शीलवान् वीर्यसम्पन्नः पृथुश्रीर्धर्मविच्छुचिः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४६ ⁠।⁠।

I am coming close to you and bowing down to your feet. Let me introduce myself – I am a daughter of a king, daughter-in-law as well as wife of a king. I am well known in the world as दमयन्ती.

The lord of विदर्भ-देश going by the name भीम who is a king there is my father. He is the protector of the land and protects people of all four वर्ण.

He has performed many यज्ञs like राजसूय and अश्वमेध which involved abundant दक्षिणा. Among all kings, he is great. He has big eyes, active and beautiful.

He is a भक्त of the ब्राह्मणs, he adheres to all disciplines, he always speaks the truth, he does not blame anyone else, he has a strong character, he is courageous, he owns abundant wealth, he is a knower of धर्म and he is sacred/ pure.

सम्यग् गोप्ता विदर्भाणां निर्जितारिगणः प्रभुः ⁠। तस्य मां विद्धि तनयां भगवंस्त्वामुपस्थिताम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४७ ⁠।⁠।

निषधेषु महाराजः श्वशुरो मे नरोत्तमः ⁠। गृहीतनामा विख्यातो वीरसेन इति स्म ह ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४८ ⁠।⁠।

तस्य राज्ञः सुतो वीरः श्रीमान् सत्यपराक्रमः ⁠। क्रमप्राप्तं पितुः स्वं यो राज्यं समनुशास्ति ह ⁠।⁠।⁠ ४९ ⁠।⁠।

नलो नामारिहा श्यामः पुण्यश्लोक इति श्रुतः ⁠। ब्रह्मण्यो वेदविद् वाग्मी पुण्यकृत् सोमपोऽग्निमान् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५० ⁠।⁠।

He takes care of all citizens of विदर्भ-देश very well. He has defeated all his enemies and he is very strong. O भगवन्! Know me as his daughter. I have come here to serve you.

The king of निषध-देश is my father in law, he is one who is remembered every morning by me and goes by the name of वीरसेन.

That king वीरसेन has a courageous son who is handsome and always fights for truth. Following the tradition, he inherited the kingdom of his father and takes care of the kingdom.

This name is नल. He is known as a destroyer of enemies, one with a beautiful brown complexion and virtuous. He is a भक्त of the ब्राह्मण, knower of the वेद, he is a good speaker, he always done पुण्य कर्मs, he is an अग्निहोत्री and consumes सोम (as a part of यज्ञकर्म).

यष्टा दाता च योद्धा च सम्यक् चैव प्रशासिता ⁠। तस्य मामबलां श्रेष्ठां विद्धि भार्यामिहागताम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५१ ⁠।⁠।

त्यक्तश्रियं भर्तृहीनामनाथां व्यसनान्विताम् ⁠। अन्वेषमाणां भर्तारं त्वं मां पर्वतसत्तम ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५२ ⁠।⁠।

समुल्लिखद्भिरेतैर्हि त्वया शृङ्गशतैर्नृपः ⁠। कच्चिद् दृष्टोऽचलश्रेष्ठ वनेऽस्मिन् दारुणे नलः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५३ ⁠।⁠।

He does यज्ञs very well, he is the best donor, he is a courageous warrior and a great ruler – you may know me as his greatest wife. I am an orphaned woman who has come to you to ask about his whereabouts. O गिरिराज! I am bereft of wealth & prosperity, I have lost my husband, alone (without a protector) and am living in great difficulty. I am searching for my husband in this forest.

O पर्वतश्रेष्ठ! Have you seen my husband in this dangerous forest using your sky-touching mountain peaks?

गजेन्द्रविक्रमो धीमान् दीर्घबाहुरमर्षणः ⁠। विक्रान्तः सत्त्ववान् वीरो भर्ता मम महायशाः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५४ ⁠।⁠।

निषधानामधिपतिः कच्चिद् दृष्टस्त्वया नलः ⁠। विलपतीं किमेकां मां पर्वतश्रेष्ठ विह्वलाम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५५ ⁠।⁠।

गिरा नाश्वासयस्यद्य स्वां सुतामिव दुःखिताम् ⁠।  वीर विक्रान्त धर्मज्ञ सत्यसंध महीपते ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५६ ⁠।⁠।

My greatly famed lord, the king of निषध, walks like the king of elephants. He is extremely intelligent, possesses strong arms, he is without anger, fighter, courageous and strong. Have you seen him anywhere? O गिरिश्रेष्ठ! You may consider me like your own daughter and one who is filled with sorrow. Can you share some words of assurance with me who is very disappointed, wailing alone and orphaned?

O वीर! O धर्मज्ञ! O सत्यप्रतिज्ञ & पराक्रमी महीपाल! If you are present in this forest, kindly become visible and come in front of my eyes.

यद्यस्यस्मिन् वने राजन् दर्शयात्मानमात्मना ⁠।  कदा सुस्निग्धगम्भीरां जीमूतस्वनसंनिभाम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५७ ⁠।⁠।

श्रोष्यामि नैषधस्याहं वाचं ताममृतोपमाम् ⁠। वैदर्भीत्येव विस्पष्टां शुभां राज्ञो महात्मनः ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५८ ⁠।⁠।

आम्नायसारिणीमृद्धां मम शोकविनाशिनीम् ⁠।  भीतामाश्वासयत मां नृपते धर्मवत्सल ⁠।⁠।⁠ ५९ ⁠।⁠।

इति सा तं गिरिश्रेष्ठमुक्त्वा पार्थिवनन्दिनी ⁠। दमयन्ती ततो भूयो जगाम दिशमुत्तराम् ⁠।⁠।⁠ ६० ⁠।⁠।

When will I be able to listen to the voice of नल, the king of निषध, which is smooth, deep and sweet to hear. The expression ‘वैदर्भि!’ from him to address me is pure, clear, aligned to the वेद, beautiful word, deep in meaning and also capable of destroying my sorrow – When will I hear the word from. him?

O धर्मवत्सल नरेश्वर! Kindly give assurance to this agitated and lone person.

Talking in this way to the great mountain, the queen दमयन्ती then went ahead and moved in the North direction.