Shloka 17
गते पतगराजे तु गालव: सह कनन््यया । चिन्तयान: क्षमं दाने राज्ञां वै शुल्कतोडगमत्
gate patagarāje tu gālavaḥ saha kanyayā | cintayānaḥ kṣamaṃ dāne rājñāṃ vai śulkatoḍaṃ jagāmat |
পক্ষিৰাজ গুচি যোৱাৰ পাছত গালৱ মুনি কন্যাসহ চিন্তা কৰিলে—ৰজাসকলৰ দানৰূপে কি বস্তু গ্রহণযোগ্য আৰু যুক্তিসংগত। দাবী কৰা শুল্ক ধৰ্মসন্মতভাৱে যোগাৰ কৰিবলৈ তেওঁ শুল্কতোড়ালৈ গ’ল।
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Before acting, one should deliberate on what is kṣama—ethically proper and practically feasible—especially in matters of wealth, obligations, and social customs. The verse highlights conscientious decision-making so that a vow or duty is fulfilled without impropriety.
After the departure of the ‘king of birds’ (Garuḍa), Gālava continues his quest with the maiden. He considers how kings can rightly provide the required payment (śulka) and then goes to a figure/place named Śulkatoḍa to pursue the means of obtaining it.