Shloka 15
Keśinī’s Inquiry to Bāhuka and the Emotional Signs of Concealed Identity (केशिन्याः बाहुकपरीक्षा)
संख्यास्थामि फलान्यस्य पश्यतस्ते जनाधिप । मुहूर्तमपि वार्ष्णेयो रश्मीन् यच्छतु वाजिनाम्,'जनेश्वर! यदि वारष्णेय दो घड़ीतक भी इन घोड़ोंकी लगाम सँभाले तो मैं आपके देखते-देखते इसके फलोंको गिन लूँगा”
saṅkhyāsthāmi phalāny asya paśyatas te janādhipa | muhūrtam api vārṣṇeyo raśmīn yacchatu vājinām ||
Wika ni Bṛhadaśva: “O panginoon ng mga tao, habang ikaw ay nakamasid, bibilangin ko ang mga bunga ng punong ito. Pahawakin kay Vārṣṇeya ang renda ng mga kabayo kahit sa loob lamang ng isang muhūrta.”
बृहदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights demonstrable competence and accountability: a claim is offered with a clear condition (a fixed time) and a public witness (the king watching), emphasizing proof through action rather than mere assertion.
Bṛhadaśva addresses the king and proposes a brief interval—if the Vārṣṇeya holds the horses’ reins for that time, Bṛhadaśva will, in the king’s presence, count the fruits of a certain tree, presenting a concrete challenge or demonstration.