Shloka 7
Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
तच्छुत्वा रथनिर्घोषं वारणा: शिखिनस्तथा । प्रणेदुरुन्मुखा राजन् मेघनाद इवोत्सुका:,राजन्! रथकी उस आवाजको सुनकर हाथी और मयूर अपना मुँह ऊपर उठाकर उसी प्रकार उत्कण्ठापूर्वक अपनी बोली बोलने लगे, जैसे वे मेघोंकी गर्जना होनेपर बोला करते हैं
tac chrutvā rathanirghoṣaṃ vāraṇāḥ śikhinastathā | praṇedur unmukhā rājan megha-nāda ivotsukāḥ ||
Bṛhadaśva nói: Tâu Đại vương! Nghe tiếng rền như sấm của chiến xa, voi và công ngẩng mặt lên rồi kêu vang đầy nôn nao—hệt như khi mây gầm sấm dậy.
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily builds narrative mood rather than stating a direct moral: it shows how powerful sounds and signs in nature evoke instinctive, collective responses. By comparing the chariot’s rumble to thunder, it suggests that events in human life can mirror natural rhythms, stirring anticipation and alertness.
A loud chariot-sound is heard. Elephants and peacocks react by lifting their heads and calling out excitedly, as they typically do when they hear thunder or the roar of rain-clouds.