Kerala Mural: ‘Swan’ by Vishnu Vikraman
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EXCERPTS FROM VAIDHABHIRDARŚANAṂ
 
There, on golden lands similar in splendour to his own self, this
gem of a bird made his journey unnoticed.
 
He then noticed, with certainty, Bhīma’s mansion – teeming with
countless troops of warriors, huge chariots, horses, and elephants.
 
Soon thereafter this bird of unsullied fame dived into the vast
watery expanse of the palace’s pleasure pond laden with lovely lilies.
 
The next moment, as he shook his body, the swan saw
Damayantī – dazzling and in good health – on the pond’s edge.
 
Nala’s feathery friend took her to be the blessed Beauty of the
garden for she, like the latter, had tremulous shadows (or a glowing
complexion) and was a close associate of Love.
 
This one-of-a-kind, marvellous swan, made more attractive by
a plethora of precious stones, was rendered as white as the celestial
Gaṅga by Damayantī’s bright smile beaming forth.  
 
Spring to the forest that was the desire of his female companions,
the cob – soft at heart - took a plunge into the lake of Damayantī’s lustre.
 
The bird, a ball of gold for heaven’s Beauty to play with and spinning
streaks of lightning with the sheen of his form, struck Bhīma’s
daughter with surprise beyond measure.
 
And then the water bird, adorning the avian kingdom with the
novelty of his good looks, spoke thus to the soft-limbed beauty.
 
"There lives a king named Nala whose liberality extends to the
whole of mankind.  His mountain-like arms have the expertise that is
needed to sustain the globe."
 
"Pleasing people by his very form, formidable to foes, and liked
by the gods – this hero protects the Niṣada province since time immemorial."
 
"O auspicious one!  With Nala as her ruler, Earth knows no fear as
the crescent moon, belonging to Śiva, supremely radiant, knows no waning."
 
"O enchantress! Like the bow he wields, he exterminates enemies
in battle, is intensely brilliant, possesses virtues (or a string), and
supports suppliants (arrows)."
 
"O charming lady! Knowing well that he was cast in the mould of Kāma,
do tell me if there is any pretty woman on earth whom Nala cannot possess."
 
"Women are attached to him.  He is esteemed by men and his deeds
are praiseworthy. O lotus faced beauty!  It is he that has today
entrusted me with the duty of a messenger."
 
"O damsel! Attracted to the art of love-making, a lake to the
female swan that is Fortune, he holds you close to his passionate heart."