Shloka 10
Keśinī’s Inquiry to Bāhuka and the Emotional Signs of Concealed Identity (केशिन्याः बाहुकपरीक्षा)
एकपत्राधिकं चात्र फलमेकं॑ च बाहुक । पञ्चकोट्यो<5थ पत्राणां द्ायोरपि च शाखयो:
ekapatrādhikaṃ cātra phalam ekaṃ ca bāhuka | pañcakoṭyo ’tha patrāṇāṃ dvayor api ca śākhayoḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “Here, O Bāhuka, there is one fruit more and one leaf more. Indeed, the two branches together bear five koṭis of leaves.” The statement underscores careful observation and exact reckoning—an ethical reminder that in matters of duty and decision, one should attend even to small differences, for they can reveal the true measure of a situation.
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the value of precise attention to detail: even a difference of one leaf or one fruit matters. Ethically, it suggests that careful discernment and accurate assessment are essential when judging outcomes and responsibilities.
Bṛhadaśva addresses Bāhuka and describes a comparison involving branches, leaves, and fruit—stating that one side exceeds by a single leaf and a single fruit, while the total number of leaves across two branches is immense (five koṭis).