Shloka 22
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
एवमुक्तस्ततो हंसमुत्ससर्ज महीपति: । ते तु हंसा: समुत्पत्य विदर्भानगमंस्तत:,हंसके ऐसा कहनेपर राजा नलने उसे छोड़ दिया। फिर वे हंस वहाँसे उड़कर विदर्भदेशमें गये
evam uktas tato haṁsam utsasarja mahīpatiḥ | te tu haṁsāḥ samutpatya vidarbhān agamaṁs tataḥ ||
Thus addressed, the king released the swan. The swans then rose into the sky and flew from that place to the land of Vidarbha—setting in motion the chain of events that will connect Nala with Damayantī. The episode underscores a king’s restraint and propriety: having heard the message, he does not harm the messenger-bird but lets it go, allowing destiny to unfold without cruelty.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
A ruler should act with restraint and compassion: even when a creature brings an unexpected message, the ethical response is not harm but measured conduct—here, releasing the messenger and allowing events to proceed lawfully.
After being spoken to, the king (Nala) releases the swan; the swans then fly to Vidarbha, preparing the narrative link that will lead toward Damayantī and the forthcoming svayaṁvara episode.