Shloka 5
दमयन्तीवाक्य-प्रेषणम्
Damayantī’s Message and the Dispatch of Brahmin Envoys
ऋचतुपर्ण उवाच वस बाहुक भद्रं ते सर्वमेतत् करिष्यसि । शीघ्रयाने सदा बुद्धिर्ध्रियते मे विशेषत:,ऋतुपर्णने कहा--बाहुक! तुम्हारा भला हो। तुम मेरे यहाँ निवास करो। ये सब कार्य तुम्हें करने होंगे। मेरे मनमें सदा यही विचार विशेषतः रहता है कि मैं शीघ्रतापूर्वक कहीं भी पहुँच सकूँ
ṛtupārṇa uvāca | vasa bāhuka bhadraṃ te sarvam etat kariṣyasi | śīghrayāne sadā buddhir dhriyate me viśeṣataḥ ||
Sinabi ni Ṛtuparṇa: “Manatili ka rito, Bāhuka; nawa’y mapasa iyo ang kabutihan. Isasagawa mo ang lahat ng gawaing ito. Sapagkat ang aking isip ay laging—at lalo na—nakatuon sa mabilis na paglalakbay, sa pagdating sa alinmang pook nang madali.”
ऋचतुपर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a ruler’s focused intention and the ethical dimension of service: a king values specialized competence (swift travel/skillful driving) and assigns duties accordingly, while the servant (Bāhuka) is invited to reside and serve within a structured role.
King R̥tupārṇa addresses Bāhuka (Nala in disguise), asking him to stay in his household and undertake assigned tasks, emphasizing that the king’s constant priority is the ability to travel quickly—setting the context for Bāhuka’s role as an expert charioteer.