A bird. The initial part of ‘swan’ in many languages is associated with royalty and prestige. eg. rajhans. It finds mention as a bird of the gods in many stories.

As per the scriptures, swans reside in Manasa in the upper reaches of the Himalayas. Since they don’t like the rains, they migrate to the plains during that time, and go back when it rains in the plains.

Kashyapa married the eight daughters of Daksha, one of whom was Tamra. They had five daughters – Kraunchi, Bhasi, Shyeni, Dhritarashtri, Shuki. They gave birth to an owl, Bhasas, an eagle, a cuckoo and a swan, and a parrot respectively, as per Ramayana Aranyakanda Sarga 14.

Before Shishupala died, he insulted Bhishma and told him the story of a swan, which used to live near the sea. He spoke to the other birds on righteousness and they all respected him. They left their eggs with the swan and went away to find food. Many of them died, and the swan ate up their eggs and became fat. One bird got suspicious, kept watch on the swan and realised what it was doing. It conveyed this to the other birds and they kileld the swan. Shishupala said that this was what would happen to Bhishma too, as per Mahabharata Sabhaparva Chapter 31 verse 30-41.

Once, Nala a swan in his garden. Though he caught it, he soon released it, sensing its fear. As per Mahabharata Aranyaparva Chapter 53, the grateful swan became the messenger between Nala and Damayanti, the princess of Vidarbha.

Marutta was once conducting a Maheshwarasatra in the forest. Indra and the other devas came to the hermitage to receive the offerings. This was the time that Ravana had begun his campaign. On hearing that the devas were present at the hermitage, Ravana reached there with his forces. Indra and the other devas immediately took the form of animals and birds in order to escape. Indra became a peacock, Yama became a crow, Kuber became a chameleon and Varuna became a swan. Ravana and his forces left when they couldn’t find the devas. The devas blessed all the animals whose forms they had taken. Indra gave the peacock’s feathers multiple colours, and made its eyes beautiful. He also blessed that they would be free of illnesses and when it rained, they’d be able to do a beautiful dance. Yama blessed that the crows would now receive the offerings that humans made for their forefathers. Varuna blessed that the swans, who had a black and white plumage, would now be purely white. Kuber blessed that chameleons would be able to change their colours whenever they desired and that their cheeks would appear golden. The devas then left the hermitage as per Uttararamayana.