Shloka 23
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
विदर्भनगरीं गत्वा दमयन्त्यास्तदान्तिके । निपेतुस्ते गरुत्मन्त: सा ददर्श च तान् खगान्,तब विदर्भनगरीमें जाकर वे सभी हंस दमयन्तीके निकट उतरे। दमयन्तीने भी उन अद्भुत पक्षियोंकों देखा
vidarbha-nagarīṁ gatvā damayantyās tadāntike | nipetus te garutmantaḥ sā dadarśa ca tān khagān ||
ولما بلغوا مدينةَ فِيدَرْبَه هبطت تلك الطيورُ السريعةُ الجناح قربَ دَمَيَنْتِي، فرأتْ دَمَيَنْتِي تلك الطيورَ العجيبة.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse reflects the epic motif that timely signs and messengers can support dharmic outcomes: events move toward a rightful union and decision-making, with nature and circumstance serving as instruments that guide human choice without negating responsibility.
The birds (contextually the swans) reach Vidarbha and alight near Damayantī; she notices them. This sets up the next development in the Nala–Damayantī episode, where the birds function as a narrative link and catalyst.