Shloka 20
Damayantī’s Lament, Serpent-Seizure, Rescue by the Hunter, and the Curse
मम ज्ञातिषु निक्षिप्य दारकौ स्यन्दनं तथा । अश्वांश्वेमान् यथाकामं वस वान्यत्र गच्छ वा,“वहाँ इन दोनों बालकोंको, इस रथको और इन घोड़ोंको भी मेरे भाई-बन्धुओंकी देख- रेखमें सौंपकर तुम्हारी इच्छा हो तो वहीं रह जाना या अन्यत्र कहीं चले जाना”
mama jñātiṣu nikṣipya dārakau syandanaṃ tathā | aśvān imān yathākāmaṃ vasa vānyatra gaccha vā ||
Setibanya di sana, serahkan kedua-dua anak ini, kereta ini, dan kuda-kuda ini kepada jagaan kaum kerabatku. Sesudah itu, menurut kehendakmu: sama ada tinggal di situ atau pergi ke tempat lain.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before exercising personal freedom (staying or leaving), one should first ensure the secure and rightful care of dependents and entrusted property—placing them under reliable guardianship. This reflects dharma as responsible stewardship.
Bṛhadaśva instructs someone to hand over two children along with a chariot and horses to his relatives for safekeeping, and then tells the person they may choose to remain there or depart elsewhere according to their इच्छा (preference).