Shloka 33
Rathaghoṣa–Saṃjñāna: Damayantī’s Inference and the Dispatch of the Envoy (Āraṇyaka-parva, Adhyāya 71)
वय:प्रमाणं तत्तुल्यं रूपेण तु विपर्यय: । नल॑ सर्वगुणैर्युक्ते मन््ये बाहुकमन्ततः,“इसकी अवस्थाका प्रमाण तो उन्हींके समान है, परंतु रूपकी दृष्टिसे तो अन्तर पड़ता है। फिर भी अन्ततः मैं इसी निर्णयपर पहुँचता हूँ कि मेरी रायमें बाहुक सर्वगुणसम्पन्न राजा नल ही हैं'
vayaḥpramāṇaṃ tattulyaṃ rūpeṇa tu viparyayaḥ | nalaḥ sarvaguṇairyukte manye bāhukam antataḥ ||
Wika ni Ṛtuparṇa: “Sa edad at sukat, siya’y katulad niya; ngunit sa panlabas na anyo ay may kabaligtaran—may pagkakaiba. Gayunman, matapos timbangin ang lahat, narito ang aking pasya: sa aking paghatol, si Bāhuka ay walang iba kundi si Haring Nala, na puspos ng lahat ng kagalingan.”
ऋचुपर्ण उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worth is discerned by character and qualities rather than mere outward appearance; ethical judgment looks beyond external change to inner virtue.
R̥tuparṇa observes that Bāhuka’s age and build match Nala’s, though his appearance differs; after reflection he concludes that Bāhuka is actually King Nala in disguise.