Shloka 17
नारदकथितं माधव्याः तपश्चर्या–ययातेः स्वर्गविचारः | Nārada on Mādhavī’s Asceticism and the Scrutiny of Yayāti in Heaven
“गालव! तुमने पहले ही इसे यहीं क्यों नहीं दे दिया, जिससे मुझे ही वंशप्रवर्तक चार पुत्र प्राप्त हो जाते ।।
Nārada uvāca: Gālava! tvayā pūrvam eva iyam iha kasmān na pradattā, yena mamaiva vaṁśa-pravartakāś catvāraḥ putrāḥ prāptā bhaveyuḥ. pratigṛhṇāmi te kanyām eka-putra-phalāya vai. aśvāś cāśramam āsādya carantu mama sarvaśaḥ.
Nārada said: “Gālava, why did you not give her to me right here at the outset? Then I myself would have obtained four sons who would continue my lineage. Very well—now I accept this maiden from you, truly for the fruit of a single son. And let the horses come to my hermitage and graze freely on all sides as mine.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of dāna and pratigraha (giving and accepting): acceptance is framed not as indulgence but as a purpose-bound act tied to lineage and responsibility. It also reflects how intentions and timing in fulfilling obligations can change outcomes.
Nārada addresses Gālava, remarking that if the maiden had been given earlier, Nārada could have gained four lineage-continuing sons. He then agrees to accept her now for the sake of obtaining one son, and declares that the horses are to come to his hermitage and graze freely as his.