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 ||
Then the swans began to roam about in every direction within the pleasure-grove. At that time, the princesses, each one separately, ran after those swans—an image of youthful play that sets the scene for the ensuing events, where desire and curiosity begin to move the characters toward consequential choices.
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.