Shloka 32
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
अब्रवीत् तत्र तं हंसं त्वमप्येवं नले वद | तथेत्युक्त्वाण्डज: कन्यां विदर्भस्य विशाम्पते । पुनरागम्य निषधान् नले सर्व न्यवेदयत्,राजन! हंसके इस प्रकार कहनेपर दमयन्तीने उससे कहा--'पक्षिराज! तुम नलके निकट भी ऐसी ही बातें कहना'। राजन! विदर्भराजकुमारी दमयन्तीसे “तथास्तु” कहकर वह हंस पुनः निषधदेशमें आया और उसने नलसे सब बातें निवेदन की
abravīt tatra taṃ haṃsaṃ tvam apy evaṃ nale vada | tathety uktvāṇḍajaḥ kanyāṃ vidarbhasya viśāmpate | punar āgamya niṣadhān nale sarvaṃ nyavedayat |
Bṛhadaśva said: There, she spoke to that swan, “You too should speak in the same way to Nala.” The bird replied, “So be it,” and, O lord of the people, having addressed the princess of Vidarbha, the swan returned again to Niṣadha and reported everything to Nala. The episode underscores the role of a truthful messenger and the ethical clarity of direct, respectful communication in matters of love and choice.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical communication: a messenger should convey words faithfully and respectfully, and personal intentions should be expressed clearly without deceit.
Damayantī instructs the swan to speak similarly to Nala; the swan agrees, returns to Niṣadha, and reports all that has occurred to Nala, advancing their mutual courtship.