Shloka 30
Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
राजप्रेष्यैरनुगतो दिष्टं वेश्म समाविशत् । ऋतुपर्णे गते राजन् वाष्णेयसहिते नृपे,स्वयं चैतान् समाश्वास्य रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् | फिर वे राजसेवकोंके साथ गये और बताये हुए भवनमें विश्रामके लिये प्रवेश किया। राजन! वार्ष्णेयसहित ऋतुपर्णके चले जानेपर बाहुक रथ लेकर रथशालामें गया। उसने उन घोड़ोंको खोल दिया और अश्वशास्त्रकी विधिके अनुसार उनकी परिचर्या करनेके बाद घोड़ोंको पुचकारकर उन्हें धीरज देनेके पश्चात् वह स्वयं भी रथके पिछले भागमें जा बैठा
bṛhadaśva uvāca | rājapreṣyair anugato diṣṭaṁ veśma samāviśat | ṛtuparṇe gate rājan vāṣṇeyasahite nṛpe svayaṁ caitān samāśvāsya rathopastha upāviśat |
Acompanhado pelos servidores do rei, entrou no aposento que lhe fora destinado. Ó rei, quando Ṛtupārṇa—junto com Vārṣṇeya—se retirou, Bāhuka foi ele mesmo ao cocheiro, levando o carro ao abrigo. Desatrelou os cavalos e cuidou deles segundo as regras da arte equestre; depois, com palavras brandas, tranquilizou-os e sentou-se na parte traseira do carro.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast dharma is shown through disciplined service: Bāhuka performs his assigned work with competence and gentleness, caring for the horses and maintaining composure despite personal adversity and concealment.
After being escorted to the allotted lodging, and once King Ṛtuparṇa and Vārṣṇeya leave, Bāhuka goes to the chariot-shed, tends and reassures the horses according to proper practice, and then sits on the rear of the chariot.