Shloka 8
Parṇāda’s Report; Bāhuka’s Counsel; Damayantī’s Strategic Svayaṃvara Message (अध्याय ६८)
पुण्याहवाचने राज्ञ: सुनन्दासहितां स्थिताम् । मन्दं प्रख्यायमानेन रूपेणाप्रतिमेन ताम्,वह राजाके पुण्याहवाचनके समय सुनन्दाके साथ खड़ी थी। उसका अनुपम रूप (मैलसे आवृत होनेके कारण) मन्द-मन्द प्रकाशित हो रहा था, मानो अग्निकी प्रभा धूमसमूहसे आवृत हो रही हो। विशाल नेत्रोंवाली उस राजकुमारीको अधिक मलिन और दुर्बल देख उपर्युक्त कारणोंसे उसकी पहचान करते हुए सुदेवने निश्चय किया कि यह भीमकुमारी दमयन्ती ही है
puṇyāhavācane rājñaḥ sunandāsahitāṁ sthitām | mandaṁ prakhyāyamānena rūpeṇāpratimena tām ||
Bṛhadaśva said: At the time of the king’s auspicious proclamation, she stood there together with Sunandā. Her incomparable beauty was only faintly showing, as though the radiance of fire were veiled by a mass of smoke. Seeing that large-eyed princess grown more soiled and weakened, Sudeva—reasoning from these signs—became certain that she was indeed Damayantī, the princess of Bhīma.
ब॒हदश्व उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when a person is outwardly diminished by hardship, their essential worth and identity remain; discernment joined with compassion can perceive truth beneath suffering, and one should not judge solely by appearance.
During a royal auspicious proclamation, Damayantī stands with Sunandā, her beauty obscured by grime and weakness. Observing these signs, Sudeva recognizes and becomes certain that she is Damayantī, Bhīma’s daughter.