Shloka 11
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
ऋचीक उवाच कि प्रयच्छामि राजेन्द्र तुभ्यं शुल्कमहं नूप । दुहितुर्ब्रहयासंसक्तो माभूत् तत्र विचारणा
ṛcīka uvāca | kiṁ prayacchāmi rājendra tubhyaṁ śulkam ahaṁ nṛpa | duhiturbrahmayāsaṁsaktaḥ mā bhūt tatra vicāraṇā ||
قال رِتشيكا: «يا خيرَ الملوك، أيُّ مهرٍ أقدّمه لك، أيها الحاكم، لقاء ابنتك؟ تكلّم بلا تردّد. ولا يكن في هذا الأمر ريبةٌ ولا تردّدٌ ثانٍ بسبب كوني مكرّسًا للبراهمن—للرياضة المقدّسة والسعي الروحي.»
ऋचीक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames marriage arrangements within dharma: even a spiritually devoted sage should engage transparently in social obligations, requesting the bride-price openly and urging the king to decide without suspicion or hesitation.
Sage Ṛcīka addresses a king, asking what śulka (bride-price) he should offer for the king’s daughter, and reassures him not to overthink or doubt the matter because of Ṛcīka’s brahmanical devotion.