Shloka 24
Akṛtavraṇa’s Account Begins: Gādhi–Satyavatī–Ṛcīka and the Bhārgava Lineage Prelude
न चापि भगवान् वाच्यो दीयतामिति भार्गव । देया मे दुहिता चैव त्वद्विधाय महात्मने,'भगुनन्दन! आप कोई निन्दनीय तो हैं नहीं, यह शुल्क चुका दीजिये, फिर आप-जैसे महात्माको मैं अवश्य अपनी कन्या ब्याह दूँगा"
na cāpi bhagavān vācyo dīyatām iti bhārgava | deyā me duhitā caiva tvadvidhāya mahātmane ||
Akṛtavraṇa dijo: «Tampoco debe hablarse a un hombre venerable como tú de modo humillante: “¡Paga!” Oh Bhārgava. Una vez entregado el precio nupcial debido, sin falta daré a mi hija en matrimonio a un magnánimo como tú.»
अकृतव्रण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes ethical speech and social propriety: even when insisting on a lawful obligation (the bride-price), one should not address a revered person harshly. Dharma includes both the demand itself and the manner of making it.
Akṛtavraṇa addresses a Bhārgava, clarifying that he will not insult him by bluntly ordering payment; yet he maintains the condition that the required śulka must be given, after which he will give his daughter in marriage to such a worthy, great-souled man.