Shloka 13
Gālava Completes the Horse-Gift: Garuḍa’s Counsel and Viśvāmitra’s Acceptance (गालव-विष्वामित्र-सम्बन्धः)
मूल्येनापि सम॑ कुर्या तवाहं द्विजसत्तम । पौरजानपदार्थ तु ममार्थो नात्मभोगत:
mūlyenāpi samaṃ kuryās tavāhaṃ dvijasattama | paurajānapa-dārthaṃ tu mamārtho nātmabhogataḥ ||
Nārada sprach: „O Bester der Brāhmanen, selbst wenn ich den Preis der Pferde zahlte, könnte ich deine Forderung nicht vollständig begleichen. Denn mein Reichtum ist für die Bedürfnisse der Stadtbewohner und der Landbevölkerung bestimmt, nicht für meinen eigenen Genuss.“
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth held by a responsible person—especially a ruler or public trustee—is to be directed toward the welfare of the people (town and countryside), not toward private indulgence; ethical restraint governs even legitimate transactions.
Nārada addresses a revered Brāhmaṇa and explains that he cannot simply pay off the full due by valuing the horses, because his resources are earmarked for the public—citizens and provincial inhabitants—rather than for his own discretionary enjoyment.