Shloka 80
Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
तब आकाशचारी हंसने उस समय नलसे कहा--'राजन्! आप मुझे न मारें। मैं आपका प्रिय कार्य करूँगा ।। ५२0 ॥ ॥/॥९
tad ākāśacārī haṃso 'smin samaye nalāya uvāca— "rājan! mā mā vadhīḥ. ahaṃ tava priyaṃ kāryaṃ kariṣyāmi."
Then the sky-ranging swan said to Nala at that moment: “O King, do not kill me. I will carry out what is dear and beneficial for you.” The plea frames a moral appeal for restraint and offers service in return, turning violence aside through speech and promised goodwill.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights restraint and compassion: even when one has power to harm, ethical conduct favors sparing life when a peaceful alternative arises. It also shows how wise speech can avert violence and create a relationship of mutual benefit.
A swan that can fly through the sky addresses King Nala and begs not to be killed, promising to perform a task that Nala desires. The scene sets up the swan as a helpful messenger or agent in Nala’s story.