Shloka 33
Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
सूतपुत्रं च वाष्णेयं बाहुकं च तथाविधम् । चिन्तयामास वैदर्भी कस्यैष रथनि:स्वन:,दमयन्ती भी शोकसे आतुर हो राजा ऋतुपर्ण, सूतपुत्र वार्ष्णेय तथा पूर्वोक्त बाहुकको देखकर सोचने लगी--“यह किसके रथकी घर्घराहट सुनायी पड़ती थी
sūtaputraṃ ca vāsṇeyaṃ bāhukaṃ ca tathāvidham | cintayāmāsa vaidarbhī kasyaiṣa rathaniḥsvanaḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva sprach: Als die Prinzessin von Vidarbha, Damayantī, den Sohn des Wagenlenkers, den Vṛṣṇi-Prinzen Vārṣṇeya, und auch Bāhuka in derselben Gestalt erblickte, sann sie nach: „Wessen Wagen ist dieses dröhnende Rollen?“
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in sorrow, Damayantī’s mind seeks truthful signs rather than surrendering to despair. The verse highlights discernment: genuine excellence (here, the distinctive chariot-sound of expert driving) can function as an ethical and practical indicator of a person’s presence and character, sustaining hope and right action.
Damayantī sees Ṛtupārṇa’s party—Varṣṇeya, the Vṛṣṇi companion, and Bāhuka (actually Nala in disguise). Hearing the powerful, distinctive rumble of the chariot, she wonders whose chariot it is, suspecting that such driving skill may point to Nala and thus intensifying the moment of recognition.