Shloka 21
ऋतुपर्णस्य विदर्भयात्रा-निश्चयः तथा बाहुकस्य हयपरिक्षा (Ṛtuparṇa’s resolve to go to Vidarbha and Bāhuka’s examination of horses)
यदि चापि प्रियं किंचिन्मयि कर्तुमिहेच्छसि । विदर्भान् यातुमिच्छामि शीघ्रं मे यानमादिश,“माँ! यदि तुम मेरा कुछ भी प्रिय करना चाहती हो तो मेरे लिये शीघ्र किसी सवारीकी व्यवस्था कर दो। मैं विदर्भदेश जाना चाहती हूँ।” राजन! तब “बहुत अच्छा” कहकर दमयन्तीकी मौसीने प्रसन्नतापूर्वक अपने पुत्रकी राय लेकर सुन्दरी दमयन्तीको पालकीपर बिठाकर विदा किया। उसकी रक्षाके लिये बहुत बड़ी सेना दे दी। भरतश्रेष्ठ! राजमाताने दमयन्तीके साथ खाने-पीनेकी तथा अन्य आवश्यक सामग्रियोंकी अच्छी व्यवस्था कर दी
yadi cāpi priyaṃ kiñcin mayi kartum ihecchasi | vidarbhān yātum icchāmi śīghraṃ me yānam ādiśa ||
She said, “Mother, if you truly wish to do what pleases me, then arrange a conveyance for me at once. I desire to go to Vidarbha.” Thus she made her respectful appeal within the bonds of family duty, seeking swift aid not for indulgence, but for an urgent purpose, trusting in her elder’s goodwill and protective charge.
युदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models respectful speech and ethical persuasion within family relationships: a younger person frames an urgent wish as a request grounded in affection and duty, while the elder’s role is to provide timely support and protection.
A woman addresses an elder as “Mother” and asks for immediate arrangements for travel, stating her intention to go to Vidarbha; it signals a decisive move in the story and sets up the preparations for a protected journey.