Damayantī’s Proposal of a Witnessed Choice; Nala Reports to the Lokapālas
Adhyāya 53
विदर्भनगरीं गत्वा दमयन्त्यास्तदान्तिके । निपेतुस्ते गरुत्मन्त: सा ददर्श च तान् खगान्,तब विदर्भनगरीमें जाकर वे सभी हंस दमयन्तीके निकट उतरे। दमयन्तीने भी उन अद्भुत पक्षियोंकों देखा
vidarbha-nagarīṁ gatvā damayantyās tadāntike | nipetus te garutmantaḥ sā dadarśa ca tān khagān ||
Đến thành Vidarbha, những chim cánh nhanh ấy đáp xuống gần Damayantī. Damayantī cũng trông thấy những loài chim kỳ diệu đó.
बृहृदश्चव उवाच
The verse reflects the epic motif that timely signs and messengers can support dharmic outcomes: events move toward a rightful union and decision-making, with nature and circumstance serving as instruments that guide human choice without negating responsibility.
The birds (contextually the swans) reach Vidarbha and alight near Damayantī; she notices them. This sets up the next development in the Nala–Damayantī episode, where the birds function as a narrative link and catalyst.