Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
प्रासादस्थाश्ष शिखिन: शालास्थाश्रैव वारणा: । हयाश्व शुश्रुवुस्तस्य रथघोष॑ महीपते:,महलपर बैठे हुए मयूरों, गजशालामें बँधे हुए गजराजों और अश्वशालाके अअश्रोंने राजाके रथका वह अद्भुत घोष सुना
prāsādasthāś ca śikhinaḥ śālās-thāś caiva vāraṇāḥ | hayāś ca śuśruvuḥ tasya rathaghoṣaṁ mahīpateḥ ||
قال بريهادشڤا: حتى الطواويس الجاثمة على شرفات القصر، والفيلة العظام المربوطة في إسطبلاتها، والخيول في مرابطها—كلها سمعت ذلك الدويَّ العجيب لعربة الملك.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
The verse implicitly associates rightful kingship with ordered power: the king’s presence is marked by a controlled, awe-inspiring movement that resonates through the palace, suggesting authority grounded in structure rather than disorder.
Bṛhadaśva describes the striking sound of a king’s chariot; it is so remarkable that even animals across the palace complex—peacocks on terraces, elephants in their stalls, and horses in stables—hear it, emphasizing the grandeur of the moment.