Shloka 42
Devanagari script
हंसस्तु मृदुनैकेन विक्रान्तुमुपचक्रमे
Transliteration
haṃsastu mṛdunaikena vikrāntum upacakrame
Translation
Then the swan, by a single gentle (yet effective) means, began to act decisively—setting about to overcome the situation not through harshness, but through measured, skillful effort.
Word by Word
हंसःthe swan
हंसः:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootहंस
FormMasculine, Nominative, Singular
तुbut/indeed
तु:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतु
मृदुनाwith (something) soft/gentle
मृदुना:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootमृदु
FormMasculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular
एकेनwith one (alone)
एकेन:
Karana
TypeAdjective
Rootएक
FormMasculine/Neuter, Instrumental, Singular
विक्रान्तुम्to advance/stride forth
विक्रान्तुम्:
TypeVerb
Rootवि + क्रम्
FormInfinitive (Tumun), Parasmaipada (usage), to stride forth/to advance
उपचक्रमेbegan/undertook
उपचक्रमे:
TypeVerb
Rootउप + क्रम्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), Third, Singular, Atmanepada
Speaker
हंस उवाच
Characters & Entities
ह
हंस (Haṃsa, the swan)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
War Context
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Cross References
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
Effective action need not be harsh: the verse highlights a dharmic preference for achieving one’s aim through a gentle, well-chosen method—strength guided by restraint and discernment.
The speaker says that the swan begins to proceed/undertake a decisive move, choosing a single mild strategy to advance toward victory or resolution.