Shloka 5
नारदकथितं माधव्याः तपश्चर्या–ययातेः स्वर्गविचारः | Nārada on Mādhavī’s Asceticism and the Scrutiny of Yayāti in Heaven
एकत: श्यामकर्णानां हयानां चन्द्रवर्चसाम् । भगवन् दीयतां महां सहस्रमिति गालव,ऋचीकस्तु तथेत्युक्त्वा वरुणस्यालयं गत: । अश्वतीर्थे हयॉल्लब्ध्वा दत्तवान् पार्थिवाय वै ६ ।।
ekataḥ śyāmakarṇānāṃ hayānāṃ candravarcasām | bhagavan dīyatāṃ mahāṃ sahasram iti gālavaḥ, ṛcīkas tu tathety uktvā varuṇasyālayaṃ gataḥ | aśvatīrthe hayān labdhvā dattavān pārthivāya vai ||
Gālava said, “Revered sir, grant me, as the bride-price, a thousand great horses—bright as the moon, with one side’s ears dark in color.” Ṛcīka replied, “So be it,” and went to the abode of Varuṇa. There, at the sacred Aśvatīrtha, he obtained such horses and duly presented them to the king, fulfilling his pledge by rightful means.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage underscores dharma as fidelity to one’s pledged duty: a promised obligation (here, the bride-price requirement) must be met through disciplined, legitimate means. Ṛcīka’s prompt assent and successful procurement model ethical follow-through rather than evasion.
Gālava requests from the sage Ṛcīka a thousand special horses—moon-bright and marked by dark ears on one side—as the required bride-price. Ṛcīka agrees, goes to Varuṇa’s realm, obtains the horses at Aśvatīrtha, and gives them to the king (pārthiva).