Section LXVIII [summary]
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section LXVIII including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
After Nala lost his kingdom and became a bondsman, Bhima sent out Brahmanas to search for him and his wife Damayanti, promising a reward of a thousand kine and wealth for their return. The Brahmanas searched in various cities and provinces before finally finding Damayanti in the city of the Chedis, where she was living with the queen Sunanda. Sudeva, a Brahmana, recognized Damayanti by her beauty and decided to approach her, feeling blessed to have found her in such a distressed state.
Damayanti, upon seeing Sudeva, recognized him as a friend of her brother and inquired about her family members. Overwhelmed with grief at the unexpected meeting, she wept bitterly and conversed with Sudeva in private. Sunanda, noticing Damayanti's distress, informed the queen-mother who came to the place where Damayanti was with Sudeva and asked him to explain how Damayanti ended up in such a situation and how he came to know about her. Sudeva then began to narrate the true history of Damayanti to the queen-mother.
Sudeva explained that Damayanti was the wife of Nala, the ruler of the Nishadhas, who had been separated from her husband due to various circumstances. Despite her beauty and noble qualities, Damayanti was living in distress, longing to reunite with her husband. Sudeva felt compassion for her and vowed to console her in her time of suffering. The queen-mother listened intently to Sudeva's story, eager to learn more about Damayanti's plight and how she could help in reuniting her with Nala.
Through Sudeva's narration, the queen-mother learned about the tragic circumstances that led to Damayanti's separation from Nala and the hardships she endured in his absence. She felt empathy for Damayanti and her longing for her husband, understanding the depth of her love and devotion. The queen-mother resolved to assist Damayanti in reuniting with Nala, determined to bring them back together and alleviate their suffering. With Sudeva's help, she planned to take action to ensure that Damayanti's trials would come to an end and happiness would be restored in her life.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section LXVIII, have a look at the following articles:
Section LXVIII, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Section LXVIII:
Damayanti Recognition by Sudeva
How did Sudeva recognize Damayanti? Sudeva recognized Damayanti by her beauty and various other signs. What did Sudeva promise to do for Damayanti? Sudeva promised to console Damayanti, who was suffering from separation from her husband.
Mahabharata Section LXVIII in daily life:
The story of Damayanti's separation and the quest to reunite with her provides valuable lessons that can be applied to our daily lives. It teaches us the significance of perseverance and hope in the face of adversities. Just like the relentless search for Damayanti, in our lives, we should never give up on our endeavors, no matter how challenging they seem.
It also highlights the importance of support from those around us. Damayanti's family did not hesitate to seek help, sending Sudeva on a mission to find her, showing that asking for help and collaborating with others can lead us closer to our goals. This teaches us to not isolate ourselves during hard times but to reach out and lean on the strength of our community and loved ones.
Additionally, the story demonstrates the power of faith and loyalty. Despite their separation and the hardships they faced, Damayanti and her husband, Nala, remained devoted to each other. This devotion ultimately led to their reunion. In our lives, maintaining faith and loyalty in relationships, even when circumstances try to pull us apart, can strengthen bonds and bring about joy and fulfillment.
In conclusion, embracing perseverance, seeking support, and upholding faith and loyalty can guide us through our challenges, much like the characters in the story. By applying these principles, we can navigate our life’s ups and downs more effectively and potentially reach fulfilling outcomes.