Nala Selects and Yokes the Horses
Rituparna rushes Bahuka repeatedly, who then selects lean but capable horses. The king objects — these weak animals cannot bear them such a distance. But Bahuka defends his choice, and when the king defers to his expertise, Nala yokes four noble horses and makes them kneel for the king to ascend.
Bahuka was repeatedly rushed by Rituparna. He then selected horses that were lean, but capable on the road. They were energetic and strong. They had been born in a noble lineage and were good in conduct. They were bereft of all inauspicious marks. Their nostrils were wide and their jaws were big. They were pure and possessed the ten locks of hair. They were from the region of the Sindhu and were as swift as the wind.
On seeing them, the king was a little angry and said, "What do you wish to do? You should not jest with me. How can these horses of mine, weak and lifeless, bear us? How can we travel such a long distance with these steeds?"
Bahuka replied, "There is no doubt that these horses will reach Vidarbha. O king! But if you so desire, tell me which ones you would like me to yoke."
Rituparna said, "O Bahuka! You are the one who has knowledge of horses. You are the skilled one. Yoke the ones that you think will be swift and capable."
Then the skilled Nala yoked four horses to the chariot. They were bred from a noble lineage and were of good conduct. Then the king swiftly ascended the chariot that had been yoked, as the supreme horses knelt down on the ground. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 366