Shloka 2.89.16
गङ्गातरणम् — Bharata’s Ferrying of the Army across the Ganga
पताकिन्यस्तु ता नावस्स्वयं दाशैरधिष्ठिताः।वहन्त्यो जनमारूढं तदा सम्पेतुराशुगाः।।।।
patākinyas tu tā nāvaḥ svayaṃ dāśair adhiṣṭhitāḥ | vahantyo janam ārūḍhaṃ tadā sampetur āśugāḥ ||
Those boats, adorned with flags and manned by the fishermen themselves, swiftly pushed off, carrying the people who had boarded.
Those boats adorned with flags were propelled by the fishermen occupying them. They sailed with men rowing on board fast.
Dharma is skilled service: those competent to navigate (the dāśas) take responsibility for others’ safety, embodying duty through expertise.
The flagged boats depart quickly under the control of the fishermen, transporting the passengers across.
Professional competence and reliability of the boatmen—quiet, essential dharma through work.