Shloka 21
Rathaghoṣa–Saṃjñāna: Damayantī’s Inference and the Dispatch of the Envoy (Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 71)
ततो नरवर: श्रीमान् नलो राजा विशाम्पते । सान्त्वयामास तानश्वांस्तेजोबलसमन्वितान्,युधिष्ठिर! तब नरश्रेष्ठ श्रीमान् राजा नलने तेज और बलसे सम्पन्न उन घोड़ोंको पुचकारा
tato naravaraḥ śrīmān nalo rājā viśāmpate | sāntvayāmāsa tān aśvān tejobalasamanvitān, yudhiṣṭhira |
Then the illustrious king Nala, best among men and lord of the people, soothed and reassured those horses endowed with vigor and strength—O Yudhiṣṭhira.
ऋचुपर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
Effective and dharmic leadership combines strength with gentleness: even when dealing with powerful means (like swift, strong horses), one should guide through reassurance and care rather than harshness.
R̥tuparṇa, speaking to Yudhiṣṭhira, describes how King Nala approaches and soothes the strong, spirited horses—an action that highlights Nala’s skill, composure, and considerate conduct.