Shloka 32
Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
दमयन्त्यपि शोकार्ता दृष्टवा भाज़ासुरिं नृपम्,दमयन्ती भी शोकसे आतुर हो राजा ऋतुपर्ण, सूतपुत्र वार्ष्णेय तथा पूर्वोक्त बाहुकको देखकर सोचने लगी--“यह किसके रथकी घर्घराहट सुनायी पड़ती थी
Bṛhadaśva uvāca: Damayantī api śokārtā dṛṣṭvā bhāṣāsurīṃ nṛpam, ṛtuparṇaṃ rājānaṃ sūtaputraṃ Vārṣṇeyaṃ tathā pūrvoktaṃ Bāhukaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā cintayām āsa—“kasya rathasya ghoṣo (ghargharāhaṭaḥ) śrūyate?”
وكانت دَمَيَنْتِي كذلك مثقلةً بالحزن؛ فلما رأت الملك رِتوبارْنَةَ ومعه وارْشْنَيَةُ ابنُ السائق، وباهُكَةَ المذكورَ آنفًا، أخذت تفكر في نفسها: «عربةُ مَن هذه التي يُسمَع لها ذلك الدويّ؟»
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in intense grief, one must restrain rash judgment and observe carefully. The episode highlights patience, discernment, and fidelity: Damayantī’s suffering does not erase her capacity to reflect, and the narrative prepares for truth to emerge through signs rather than impulse.
Damayantī sees King Ṛtuparṇa arriving with Vārṣṇeya and Bāhuka (Nala disguised). Hearing the distinctive rumble of a fast chariot, she becomes anxious and begins to wonder whose chariot it is—an early cue that the long-awaited meeting and recognition are drawing near.