Shloka 20
Haryaśva’s Agreement with Gālava and the Birth of Vasumanā
Nārada’s narration
तमुपागम्य विप्र: स हर्यश्वंं गालवोडब्रवीत् । कन्येयं मम राजेन्द्र प्रसवैः: कुलवर्धिनी,राजा हर्यश्वके पास जाकर विप्रवर गालवने कहा--'राजेन्द्र! मेरी यह कन्या अपनी संतानोंद्वारा वंशकी वृद्धि करनेवाली है। तुम शुल्क देकर इसे अपनी पत्नी बनानेके लिये ग्रहण करो। हर्यश्व! मैं तुम्हें पहले इसका शुल्क बताऊँगा। उसे सुनकर तुम अपने कर्तव्यका निश्चय करो'
tam upāgamya vipraḥ sa haryaśvaṃ gālavo ’bravīt | kanye ’yaṃ mama rājendra prasavaiḥ kulavardhinī |
Approaching King Haryaśva, the Brahmin Gālava said: “O lord of kings, this maiden of mine will increase the lineage through her offspring. Accept her as your wife by paying the bride-price. First I shall state the fee for her; having heard it, decide your course of duty.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds dharma in social transactions: even in matters like marriage and bride-price, one should act with clarity, disclose conditions openly, and then choose one’s duty after informed deliberation.
Nārada narrates that the Brahmin Gālava approaches King Haryaśva and offers his maiden in marriage, emphasizing her role in continuing the lineage, and announces that he will first state the required bride-price so the king can decide his proper course.