Shloka 2

दमयन्ती–बाहुकसंवादः

Damayantī’s Dialogue with Bāhuka; Recognition and Disclosure

Devanagari script

अभ्येत्य कुशल भद्रे मृदुपूर्व समाहिता । पृच्छेथा: पुरुषं होनं यथातत्त्वमनिन्दिते,भद्रे! इसके निकट जाकर सावधानीके साथ मधुर वाणीमें कुशल पूछना। अनिन्दिते! साथ ही इस पुरुषके विषयमें ठीक-ठीक बातें जाननेकी चेष्टा करना

Transliteration

abhyetya kuśalaṃ bhadre mṛdupūrvaṃ samāhitā | pṛcchethāḥ puruṣaṃ hīnaṃ yathātattvam anindite ||

Translation

Bṛhadaśva said: “Dear one, go up to him carefully, composed and self-possessed, and first address him with gentle, courteous words of inquiry about his well-being. O blameless lady, then try to learn the truth of this man’s condition and circumstances exactly as they are.”

Word by Word

अभ्येत्यhaving approached

कुशलम्welfare; well-being

भद्रेO auspicious lady

मृदु-पूर्वम्gently; with softness first (i.e., in a gentle manner)

समाहिताcomposed; attentive

पृच्छेथाःyou should ask

पुरुषम्the man

एनम्this (person), him

यथा-तत्त्वम्according to the truth; exactly as it is

अनिन्दितेO blameless lady

Speaker

बृहदश्चव उवाच

Characters & Entities

Bṛhadaśva

puruṣa (a man, unnamed)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Cross References

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Approach others with caution and inner composure, begin with gentle and respectful speech, and then seek facts truthfully (yathātattvam) rather than relying on assumptions—an ethical model of inquiry and conduct.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bṛhadaśva instructs a woman addressed as “bhadre/anindite” to approach an unnamed man, politely ask after his welfare, and carefully ascertain the true details of his situation.