Shloka 33
Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
सूतपुत्रं च वाष्णेयं बाहुकं च तथाविधम् । चिन्तयामास वैदर्भी कस्यैष रथनि:स्वन:,दमयन्ती भी शोकसे आतुर हो राजा ऋतुपर्ण, सूतपुत्र वार्ष्णेय तथा पूर्वोक्त बाहुकको देखकर सोचने लगी--“यह किसके रथकी घर्घराहट सुनायी पड़ती थी
sūtaputraṃ ca vāsṇeyaṃ bāhukaṃ ca tathāvidham | cintayāmāsa vaidarbhī kasyaiṣa rathaniḥsvanaḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva nói: Thấy con trai người đánh xe, hoàng tử Vṛṣṇi là Vārṣṇeya, và cả Bāhuka trong cùng dáng vẻ ấy, công chúa xứ Vidarbha là Damayantī liền trầm ngâm tự hỏi: “Tiếng ầm vang của cỗ chiến xa này là của ai?”
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even in sorrow, Damayantī’s mind seeks truthful signs rather than surrendering to despair. The verse highlights discernment: genuine excellence (here, the distinctive chariot-sound of expert driving) can function as an ethical and practical indicator of a person’s presence and character, sustaining hope and right action.
Damayantī sees Ṛtupārṇa’s party—Varṣṇeya, the Vṛṣṇi companion, and Bāhuka (actually Nala in disguise). Hearing the powerful, distinctive rumble of the chariot, she wonders whose chariot it is, suspecting that such driving skill may point to Nala and thus intensifying the moment of recognition.