Shloka 4
Adhyāya 73: Damayantī’s Investigation of Bāhuka
Keśinī’s Observations
दमयन्ती तु शुश्राव रथघोष॑ नलस्य तम् | यथा मेघस्य नदतो गम्भीरं जलदागमे,दमयन्तीने भी नलके रथकी वह घर्घराहट सुनी, मानो वर्षाकालमें गरजते हुए मेघोंका गम्भीर घोष सुनायी देता हो
damayantī tu śuśrāva rathaghoṣaṁ nalasya tam | yathā meghasya nadato gambhīraṁ jaladāgame ||
达摩延提听见那罗战车的轰鸣——深沉而回荡，宛如雨季将至时咆哮云雷的隆隆之声。
बृहदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores fidelity and perseverance in adversity: Damayantī’s unwavering remembrance allows a single sensory sign—the chariot’s deep rumble—to awaken hope and recognition. Ethically, it highlights steadfast commitment and the sustaining power of trust and memory during separation.
In Bṛhadaśva’s narration of the Nala–Damayantī story, Damayantī hears the deep, thunder-like sound of Nala’s chariot. The simile to monsoon thunder conveys both the intensity of the sound and the emotional surge it triggers, foreshadowing an imminent meeting or decisive turn in their story.