Shloka 21
दमयन्ती-शपथः वायोः साक्ष्यं च
Damayantī’s Oath and Vāyu’s Testimony
सा गत्वा बाहुकस्याग्रे तन्मांसमपकृष्य च । अत्युष्णमेव त्वरिता तत्क्षणात् प्रियकारिणी,चेष्टाओंद्वारा उसके मनमें यह प्रबल आशंका जम गयी कि बाहुक मेरे पति ही हैं। फिर तो वह रोने लगी और मधुर वाणीमें केशिनीसे बोली--“सखि! एक बार फिर जाओ और जब बाहुक असावधान हो तो उसके द्वारा विशेषविधिसे उबालकर तैयार किया गया फलोंका गूदा रसोई घरमेंसे शीघ्र उठा लाओ।” केशिनी दमयन्तीकी प्रियकारिणी सखी थी। वह तुरंत गयी और जब बाहुकका ध्यान दूसरी ओर गया तब उसके उबाले हुए गरम-गरम फलोंके गूदेमेंसे थोड़ा-सा निकालकर तत्काल ले आयी
sā gatvā bāhukasya agre tan-māṃsam apakṛṣya ca | aty-uṣṇam eva tvaritā tat-kṣaṇāt priya-kāriṇī ||
Bṛhadaśva said: She went to Bāhuka, and, drawing off a portion of that pulp, the dear, helpful maid hurried back at once with it—still exceedingly hot. The episode underscores Damayantī’s cautious, ethically restrained inquiry: rather than accuse or seize, she seeks a discreet test through a trusted companion, balancing urgency with propriety.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights ethical discernment under emotional pressure: Damayantī’s suspicion is strong, yet she proceeds through a discreet, non-harmful verification using a trusted aide, preserving dignity and dharma rather than acting rashly.
At Damayantī’s request, Keśinī goes near Bāhuka (Nala in disguise) and quickly takes a small portion of the freshly prepared, very hot fruit pulp from the kitchen area, returning immediately—part of Damayantī’s careful attempt to confirm Bāhuka’s identity.