Shloka 2
दमयन्ती-शपथः वायोः साक्ष्यं च
Damayantī’s Oath and Vāyu’s Testimony
गच्छ केशिनि भूयस्त्वं परीक्षां कुरु बाहुके । अब्रुवाणा समीपस्था चरितान्यस्य लक्षय,“केशिनि! फिर जाओ और बाहुककी परीक्षा करो। अबकी बार तुम कुछ बोलना मत। निकट रहकर उसके चरित्रोंपर दृष्टि रखना
gaccha keśini bhūyas tvaṁ parīkṣāṁ kuru bāhuke | abruvāṇā samīpasthā caritāny asya lakṣaya ||
Sabi ni Bṛhadaśva: “Bumalik ka, Keśinī, at subukin si Bāhuka. Sa pagkakataong ito, huwag kang magsalita. Manatili kang malapit at masusing pagmasdan ang kanyang kilos at asal.”
बृहृदश्च उवाच
Educational Q&A
Trust and judgment should be grounded in observed conduct (carita) rather than persuasive speech. The instruction to remain silent underscores careful, unbiased discernment—an ethical approach to evaluating a person’s character.
Bṛhadaśva instructs Keśinī to return and test Bāhuka again. She is told not to speak, but to stay nearby and watch his behavior closely, indicating a deliberate investigation of his true nature through actions.