Shloka 11
Rathaghoṣa–Saṃjñāna: Damayantī’s Inference and the Dispatch of the Envoy (Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 71)
ततः परीक्षामश्चानां चक्रे राजन् स बाहुक: । अश्वशालामुपागम्य भाज़सुरिनृपाज्ञया,युधिष्ठिर! तदनन्तर बाहुकने अश्वशालामें जाकर राजा ऋतुपर्णकी आज्ञासे अश्वोंकी परीक्षा की
tataḥ parīkṣām aśvānāṁ cakre rājan sa bāhukaḥ | aśvaśālām upāgamya bhājasurir nṛpājñayā, yudhiṣṭhira | tad-anantaraṁ bāhukena aśvaśālāṁ gatvā rājā ṛtupārṇasya ājñayā aśvānāṁ parīkṣā kṛtā |
Então, ó rei, Bāhuka passou a examinar os cavalos. Indo aos estábulos reais, inspecionou-os em obediência à ordem do rei Ṛtupārṇa—assim, Yudhiṣṭhira, cumpriu prontamente o seu dever, sem alarde, revelando a disciplina do serviço e a ética de executar fielmente a tarefa que lhe fora confiada.
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma in the form of disciplined service: even in a reduced or concealed station, one should perform assigned duties carefully and faithfully, without ego, as obedience and competence are ethical virtues.
Bāhuka, acting under King Ṛtupārṇa’s authority, goes to the royal stables and inspects the horses—an episode within the account narrated to Yudhiṣṭhira, showing Bāhuka’s role and skill in service.