Shloka 4
दमयन्तीवाक्य-प्रेषणम्
Damayantī’s Message and the Dispatch of Brahmin Envoys
यानि शिल्पानि लोके5स्मिन् यच्चैवान्यत् सुदुष्करम् | सर्व यतिष्ये तत् कर्तुमृतुपर्ण भरस्व माम्,“इस जगत्में जितनी भी शिल्पकलाएँ हैं तथा दूसरे भी जो अत्यन्त कठिन कार्य हैं, मैं उन सबको अच्छी तरह करनेका प्रयत्न कर सकता हूँ। महाराज ऋतुपर्ण! आप मेरा भरण- पोषण कीजिये'
yāni śilpāni loke 'smin yac caivānyat suduṣkaram | sarvaṃ yatiṣye tat kartum ṛtuparṇa bharasva mām ||
Bṛhadaśva said: “Whatever crafts are found in this world, and whatever other tasks are exceedingly difficult, I will strive to accomplish them all. O King Ṛtuparṇa, maintain me (provide for my livelihood).”
ब॒हदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic exchange: one offers competent service and diligent effort in return for rightful maintenance. It frames livelihood as ethically grounded—skill and labor offered honestly, and support granted responsibly by the ruler.
Bṛhadaśva addresses King Ṛtuparṇa, presenting himself as capable of performing many crafts and even very difficult tasks, and requests patronage—asking the king to sustain him in return for his services.