Shloka 8
Rathaghoṣa–Saṃjñāna: Damayantī’s Inference and the Dispatch of the Envoy (Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 71)
यदत्र सत्यं वासत्यं गत्वा वेत्स्यामि निश्चयम् । ऋतुपर्णस्य वै काममात्मार्थ च करोम्यहम्,“इसमें कितना सत्य या असत्य है--इसे मैं वहाँ जाकर ही निश्चितरूपसे जान सकूँगा, अतः मैं अपने लिये ही ऋतुपर्णकी इस कामनाको पूर्ण करूँगा'
yad atra satyaṃ vāsatyaṃ gatvā vetsyāmi niścayam | ṛtuparṇasya vai kāmam ātmārthaṃ ca karomy aham ||
“Whether what is said here is true or untrue, I shall know for certain only by going there. Therefore, for my own purpose as well, I will fulfill King Ṛtuparṇa’s request.”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
One should not settle a matter of truth or falsehood by hearsay alone; certainty comes through direct verification. At the same time, ethical action can align personal interest with fulfilling another’s legitimate request.
Bṛhadaśva states that he will go and confirm whether the report is true or false. He also resolves to carry out Ṛtuparṇa’s wish, noting that doing so serves his own purpose as well.