Shloka 6
अक्षहृदय-विद्या-प्रदानम्
Transmission of Akṣa-hṛdaya; Kali’s Exit and the Bibhītaka Refuge
सूतस्तस्य नरेन्द्रस्य विरूपो हस्वबाहुक: । शीघ्रयानेषु कुशलो मृष्टकर्ता च भोजने,“वह महाराज ऋतुपर्णका सारथि है। उसकी भुजाएँ छोटी हैं तथा वह देखनेमें कुरूप भी है। वह घोड़ोंको शीघ्र हाँकनेमें कुशल है और अपने बनाये हुए भोजनमें बड़ा मिठास उत्पन्न कर देता है
sūtastasya narendrasya virūpo hrasvabāhukaḥ | śīghrayāneṣu kuśalo mṛṣṭakartā ca bhojane ||
Bṛhadaśva berkata: “Orang itu ialah kusir raja. Rupanya tidak elok dan lengannya pendek; namun dia sangat mahir memacu kuda-kuda pantas, dan pandai pula menjadikan makanan yang dimasaknya luar biasa lazat.”
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights that outward appearance is not a reliable measure of worth: a person may be physically unimpressive yet possess exceptional competence and usefulness. It implicitly commends valuing merit, skill, and service over superficial judgments.
Bṛhadaśva describes the king Ṛtupārṇa’s charioteer, noting his unattractive look and short arms but emphasizing his remarkable abilities—especially in fast driving and in preparing delicious food—thereby characterizing an important attendant in the king’s household.