Shloka 4
Damayantī’s Lament, Serpent-Seizure, Rescue by the Hunter, and the Curse
बृहत्सेनामतियशां तां धात्रीं परिचारिकाम् | हितां सर्वार्थकुशलामनुरक्तां सुभाषिताम्,उसकी धायका नाम बृहत्सेना था। वह अत्यन्त यशस्विनी और परिचर्याके कार्यमें निपुण थी। समस्त कार्योंके साधनमें कुशल, हितैषिणी, अनुरागिणी और मधुरभाषिणी थी
bṛhatsenām atiyaśāṃ tāṃ dhātrīṃ paricārikām | hitāṃ sarvārthakuśalām anuraktāṃ subhāṣitām ||
Bṛhadāśva said: “Her nurse and attendant was named Bṛhatsenā—highly renowned and skilled in service. She was well-wishing, competent in accomplishing every task, devoted in affection, and sweet-spoken.”
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical virtues in everyday conduct: competence in duties (sarvārthakuśalā), benevolence (hitā), loyal affection (anuraktā), and gentle, truthful speech (subhāṣitā). It presents ideal service as grounded in goodwill and character, not merely function.
Bṛhadāśva introduces and praises a key household figure—Bṛhatsenā—describing her as the nurse and attendant, renowned and capable, whose devotion and pleasant speech make her trustworthy within the story’s setting.