Shloka 17
ऋतुपर्णस्य विदर्भयात्रा-निश्चयः तथा बाहुकस्य हयपरिक्षा (Ṛtuparṇa’s resolve to go to Vidarbha and Bāhuka’s examination of horses)
तां प्रहटेन मनसा दमयन्ती विशाम्पते । प्रणम्य मातुर्भगिनीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्,युधिष्ठि!! तब दमयन्तीने प्रसन्न हृदयसे अपनी मौसीको प्रणाम करके कहा --
tāṃ prahṛṣṭena manasā damayantī viśāṃpate | praṇamya mātur bhaginīm idaṃ vacanam abravīt |
O lord of the people, Damayantī—her heart gladdened—bowed respectfully to her mother’s sister and then spoke these words. The scene underscores courteous conduct and gratitude toward elders even amid distress.
युदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in hardship, one should uphold dharma through humility and respectful speech—beginning with honoring elders and relatives before speaking.
Damayantī, feeling reassured, offers obeisance to her maternal aunt and begins to address her, marking a courteous and emotionally softened turn in the conversation.