Shloka 25
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
अथ हंसा विससूपु: सर्वतः प्रमदावने । एकैकशस्तदा कन्यास्तान् हंसान् समुपाद्रवन्,तब हंस उस प्रमदावनमें सब ओर विचरण करने लगे। उस समय सभी राजकन्याओं ने एक-एक करके उन सभी हंसोंका पीछा किया
atha haṃsā vicasuḥ sarvataḥ pramadāvane | ekaikaśas tadā kanyās tān haṃsān samupādravan ||
Entonces los cisnes se pusieron a vagar en todas direcciones por el bosque de recreo. En aquel momento, las princesas, cada una por su lado, corrieron tras aquellos cisnes.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse primarily functions as scene-setting rather than direct moral instruction: it portrays harmless recreation that subtly foreshadows how attraction and pursuit can lead into larger, fate-shaping encounters. In epic narrative ethics, such moments remind readers that seemingly small impulses (curiosity, play, desire) can become the first steps toward significant consequences.
Swans roam freely throughout a pleasure-grove, and the princesses, each separately, chase after them. The action depicts a lively, playful atmosphere and prepares the ground for the next developments in the story being narrated by Bṛhadaśva.