Keśinī
Keśinī was the trusted companion of Damayantī at the court of Vidarbha. Some versions of the Mahābhārata call her Bṛhatsena. She was the one who checked whether the charioteer Bāhuka was Nala in disguise.
Damayantī had planned a false second svayaṃvara (a bride’s choice of husband). Ṛtuparṇa then reached Vidarbha in a single day, driven by the charioteer Bāhuka. Damayantī sent Keśinī again and again to watch Bāhuka and report on his behaviour, his skills and any sign of who he really was. Keśinī’s detailed reports gave Damayantī the proof she needed before she went to meet Bāhuka herself.
The investigation
After Ṛtuparṇa’s chariot arrived in Vidarbha, Damayantī saw how fast the chariot had been driven and suspected that Bāhuka might be Nala. She sent Keśinī to the charioteer’s quarters to talk with him and to observe everything.
Keśinī spoke with Bāhuka and brought back a full report.
- He grieved openly when she recited the words that Damayantī had composed: “O gambler, where have you gone…”
- Fire appeared around him whenever he wished it.
- Water came into a dry vessel at his wish.
- When he took hold of withered flowers, they bloomed again.
- The food he cooked was ready with wonderful speed and was of rare quality.
All these were signs of the varas (boons) that the lokapālas (guardians of the directions) had given to Nala.
Damayantī sent Keśinī back a second time with sharper questions. These reports left no doubt that the charioteer was Nala. Only then did Damayantī go herself.
Sources
- Mahābhārata, Vana Parva, chapters 73–74