Shloka 6
दमयन्ती–बाहुकसंवादः
Damayantī’s Dialogue with Bāhuka; Recognition and Disclosure
केशिन्युवाच स्वागतं ते मनुष्येन्द्र कुशल ते ब्रवीम्पहम् । दमयन्त्या वच: साधु निबोध पुरुषर्षभ,केशिनीने कहा--नरेन्द्र! आपका स्वागत है! मैं आपका कुशल समाचार पूछती हूँ। पुरुषश्रेष्ठी दमयन्तीकी कही हुई ये उत्तम बातें सुनिये
keśiny uvāca svāgataṃ te manuṣyendra kuśalaṃ te bravīmy aham | damayantyā vacaḥ sādhu nibodha puruṣarṣabha ||
Keśinī said: “Welcome to you, O lord among men. I inquire after your well-being. O best of men, listen carefully to these excellent words spoken by Damayantī.”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds ethical speech and conduct: a messenger begins with respectful welcome and inquiry into welfare (kuśala), then asks the listener to attend carefully to a virtuous message. It models courteous communication and the dharmic priority of speaking well and listening attentively.
In Bṛhadaśva’s narration, Keśinī addresses a noble man (contextually, Nala) with a formal greeting and welfare inquiry, and then introduces that she will convey Damayantī’s words, urging him to listen carefully.