Shloka 21
Divodāsa–Mādhavī Saṃvāda: Pratardana-janma and Kanyā-niryātana (दिवोदास–माधवी संवादः / प्रतर्दन-जननम् / कन्या-निर्यातनम्)
राजा हर्यश्व॒ सत्य वचनपर दृढ़ रहनेवाले थे। उन्होंने पुरुषार्थमें समर्थ होकर भी छ: सौ श्यामकर्ण घोड़े दुर्लभ होनेके कारण माधवीको पुनः लौटा दिया ।। माधवी च पुनर्दीप्तां परित्यज्य नृपश्रियम् कुमारी कामतो भूत्वा गालवं पृष्ठतो5न्वयात्,माधवी पुनः इच्छानुसार कुमारी होकर अयोध्याकी उज्ज्वल राजलक्ष्मीका परित्याग करके गालव मुनिके पीछे-पीछे चली गयी
rājā haryaśvaḥ satyavacana-paro dṛḍha-ratir āsīt | sa puruṣārthe samartho 'pi ṣaṭ-śatāni śyāma-karṇāśvān durlabhatvāt mādhavīṃ punaḥ pratyadāt || mādhavī ca punar dīptāṃ parityajya nṛpa-śriyam | kumārī kāmato bhūtvā gālavaṃ pṛṣṭhato 'nvayāt ||
Nārada said: King Haryaśva was steadfast in truth. Though capable of exerting himself, he returned Mādhavī because the six hundred dark-eared horses were exceedingly hard to obtain. Mādhavī, for her part, renounced the radiant royal fortune of Ayodhyā; becoming a maiden again by her own will, she followed behind the sage Gālava.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma through satya (truthfulness) and integrity: even when one has power, one should not pursue what is ethically or practically unattainable at the cost of righteousness. It also highlights Mādhavī’s self-determination and renunciation—choosing duty and purpose over royal comfort.
King Haryaśva, known for keeping his word, returns Mādhavī because the demanded gift—six hundred rare dark-eared horses—cannot be procured. Mādhavī then relinquishes Ayodhyā’s royal splendor and, by her own will, becomes a maiden again and continues the journey following the sage Gālava.