Shloka 10
दमयन्ती–बाहुकसंवादः
Damayantī’s Dialogue with Bāhuka; Recognition and Disclosure
केशिन्युवाच अथ योअड्सौ तृतीयो व: स कुतः कस्य वा पुनः । त्वं च कस्य कथं चेदं त्वयि कर्म समाहितम्,केशिनीने पूछा--आपलोगोंमेंसे जो तीसरा व्यक्ति है, वह कहाँसे आया है अथवा किसका सेवक है? ऐसे ही आप कौन हैं, किसके पुत्र हैं और आपपर इस कार्यका भार कैसे आया है?
keśiny uvāca | atha yo 'sau tṛtīyo vaḥ sa kutaḥ kasya vā punaḥ | tvaṃ ca kasya kathaṃ cedaṃ tvayi karma samāhitam |
Keśinī said: “And this third person among you—where has he come from, and whose man is he? And you—who do you belong to, whose son are you, and how has this responsibility been placed upon you?”
बाहुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical importance of knowing a person’s identity, affiliation, and entrusted duty before placing confidence in them—an emphasis on accountability and proper verification in social and political dealings.
Keśinī interrogates the arriving party: she asks about the origin and master of the third companion, and then questions the addressee’s lineage and how this particular task or responsibility has come to rest upon him.