Shloka 13
दमयन्ती–बाहुकसंवादः
Damayantī’s Dialogue with Bāhuka; Recognition and Disclosure
केशिन्युवाच अथ जानाति वार्ष्णेय: क्व नु राजा नलो गत: । कथं च त्वयि वा तेन कथितं स्यात् तु बाहुक,केशिनीने पूछा--बाहुक! क्या वार्ष्णेय यह जानता है कि राजा नल कहाँ चले गये, उसने आपसे महाराजके सम्बन्धमें कैसी बात बतायी है?
keśiny uvāca | atha jānāti vārṣṇeyaḥ kva nu rājā nalo gataḥ | kathaṃ ca tvayi vā tena kathitaṃ syāt tu bāhuka ||
Keśinī said: “Does Vārṣṇeya know where King Nala has gone? And what, indeed, did he tell you about it, Bāhuka—what account did he give to you concerning the king?”
बाहुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights careful inquiry and responsible speech: before acting or judging, one seeks reliable knowledge about a missing person and asks for an accurate account, reflecting prudence and dharmic restraint.
Keśinī questions Bāhuka about whether Vārṣṇeya knows where King Nala has gone and asks what Vārṣṇeya told Bāhuka regarding Nala—pressing for details about the king’s disappearance.