Shloka 63

दमयन्ती-शपथः वायोः साक्ष्यं च

Damayantī’s Oath and Vāyu’s Testimony

Devanagari script

निशम्याथ हयज्ञस्य लिड्रानि पुनरागमत्‌ | दमयन्तीके ऐसा कहनेपर केशिनी पुनः वहाँ गयी और अभ्वविद्याविशारद बाहुकके लक्षणोंका अवलोकन करके वह फिर लौट आयी

Transliteration

niśamyātha haya-jñasya liḍrāni punar āgamat |

Translation

Bṛhadaśva said: Having heard (the message), Keśinī went again to Damayantī. After carefully observing the distinguishing marks of Bāhuka—renowned for his mastery of the science of horses—she returned and reported back. The episode highlights prudent verification and responsible speech: one should confirm identity and competence through clear signs before acting on important information.

Word by Word

• निशम्य: having heard
• निशम्य: Adhikarana
• Type: Verb
• Root: नि-शम् (धातु: शम्/शमुँ)
• Form: क्त्वा (absolutive/gerund), parasmaipada (usage-neutral here), non-finite

• अथ: then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अथ

• हयज्ञस्य: of Hayajña (a person named Hayajña)
• हयज्ञस्य: Sampradana
• Type: Noun
• Root: हयज्ञ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: masculine, genitive, singular

• लिड्रानि: marks/signs (as written: liḍrāṇi)
• लिड्रानि: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: लिड्र (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: neuter, accusative, plural

• पुनः: again
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: पुनः

• आगमत्: returned/came back
• आगमत्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: आ-गम् (धातु: गम्)
• Form: लङ् (imperfect), 3rd, singular, parasmaipada, active

Speaker

बृहृदश्च उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bṛhadaśva
• Keśinī
• Damayantī
• Bāhuka

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Important decisions should be based on careful verification rather than mere hearsay; discernment (liṅga-parīkṣā) and responsible reporting uphold dharma and prevent harm.

What is happening in the narrative?

Keśinī, acting as Damayantī’s messenger, goes to observe Bāhuka (Nala in disguise), notes his identifying signs and his expertise with horses, and then returns to convey her findings.