Shloka 19
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
ततः स विस्मितो राजा गाधि: शापभयेन च । ददौ तां समलंकृत्य कन्यां भगुसुताय वै,तब आश्चर्यवचकित हुए राजा गाधिने शापके भयसे डरकर अपनी कन्याको वस्त्राभूषणोंसे विभूषित करके भूगुनन्दन ऋचीकको दे दिया
tataḥ sa vismito rājā gādhiḥ śāpabhayena ca | dadau tāṃ samalaṅkṛtya kanyāṃ bhṛgusutāya vai ||
ثم إن الملك غادهي (Gādhi)، وقد أخذه العجب وخالطه الخوف من اللعنة، زيّن ابنته بالثياب والحُليّ، ثم زوّجها لرِتشيكا (Ṛcīka) ابن بهريغو (Bhṛgu). وتُبرز هذه الحادثة كيف أن الخشية من الأدهرما (adharma) وعواقبها قد تدفع الحاكم إلى المبادرة سريعًا لصون النظام الاجتماعي والأخلاقي، وإن جاء الأمر على غير توقّع.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pressure of accountability: a king, mindful of the moral and social consequences symbolized by a curse, chooses a dharma-aligned resolution—formalizing the union respectfully by adorning and giving his daughter—rather than resisting and risking greater disorder.
Bhīṣma narrates that King Gādhi, surprised by events and afraid of incurring a curse, prepares his daughter with proper adornment and gives her to Ṛcīka, the Bhṛgu-descendant, indicating acceptance of the match and completion of the marital gift.