Shloka 18
Haryaśva’s Agreement with Gālava and the Birth of Vasumanā
Nārada’s narration
पक्षिराज गरुड़के चले जानेपर गालव उस कनन््याके साथ यह सोचते हुए चल दिये कि राजाओंमेंसे कौन ऐसा नरेश है, जो इस कन्याका शुल्क देनेमें समर्थ हो ।। सो<गच्छन्मनसेक्ष्वाकुं हर्यश्नं राजसत्तमम् । अयोध्यायां महावीर्य चतुरड्रबलान्वितम्,वे मन-ही-मन विचार करके अयोध्यामें इक्ष्वाकुवंशी नृपतिशिरोमणि महापराक्रमी हर्यश्वके पास गये, जो चतुरंगिणी सेनासे सम्पन्न थे
pakṣirāja garuḍake cale jāne para gālavaḥ sā kanyayā saha idaṃ cintayan calitavān—rājñāṃ madhye kaḥ sa nṛpaḥ syāt yaḥ asyāḥ kanyāyāḥ śulkaṃ dātuṃ samarthaḥ. sa gacchan manasā ikṣvākuṃ haryaśvaṃ rājasattamam; ayodhyāyāṃ mahāvīryaṃ caturaṅgabala-anvitam.
When Garuḍa, the king of birds, had departed, Gālava set out with the maiden, reflecting on which among the kings might be capable of paying the bride-price required for her. As he journeyed, he resolved in his mind upon Haryaśva—foremost among the Ikṣvāku line—dwelling in Ayodhyā, a mighty warrior supported by a complete fourfold army.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharmic deliberation in fulfilling obligations: Gālava does not act impulsively but searches for a lawful, capable patron-king who can meet the stipulated bride-price without compromising ethical standards.
After Garuḍa leaves, Gālava travels with the maiden and considers which king can pay her required śulka; he decides to approach Haryaśva of the Ikṣvāku line in Ayodhyā, famed for valor and supported by a fourfold army.