Shloka 2
Keśinī’s Inquiry to Bāhuka and the Emotional Signs of Concealed Identity (केशिन्याः बाहुकपरीक्षा)
तथा प्रयाते तु रथे तदा भाज़सुरिनृप: । उत्तरीयमधो<पश्यद् भ्रष्ट परपुरंजय:,जब रथ इस प्रकार तीव्र गतिसे दौड़ रहा था, उसी समय शत्रुओंके नगरोंको जीतनेवाले राजा ऋतुपर्णने देखा, उनका उत्तरीय वस्त्र नीचे गिर गया है
tathā prayāte tu rathe tadā bhājasurinṛpaḥ | uttarīyam adho 'paśyad bhraṣṭaṃ parapuraṃjayaḥ ||
As the chariot sped on in that manner, the king—conqueror of hostile cities—noticed that his upper garment had slipped and fallen down.
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in haste and high-stakes movement, one should not abandon awareness of propriety and self-discipline; the king’s notice of his fallen garment reflects the dharmic ideal of composure and decorum amid urgency.
As the chariot rushes forward, King Ṛtupārṇa (described as a conqueror of enemy cities) observes that his upper garment has slipped and fallen, a small but telling detail within the travel episode narrated by Bṛhadaśva.