Shloka 13
Gālava Completes the Horse-Gift: Garuḍa’s Counsel and Viśvāmitra’s Acceptance (गालव-विष्वामित्र-सम्बन्धः)
मूल्येनापि सम॑ कुर्या तवाहं द्विजसत्तम । पौरजानपदार्थ तु ममार्थो नात्मभोगत:
mūlyenāpi samaṃ kuryās tavāhaṃ dvijasattama | paurajānapa-dārthaṃ tu mamārtho nātmabhogataḥ ||
Nārada dit : «Ô le meilleur des brāhmanes, même en payant le prix des chevaux, je ne puis acquitter entièrement ce qui t’est dû. Car ma richesse est destinée aux besoins des gens des villes et des campagnes, non à mon plaisir personnel.»
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth held by a responsible person—especially a ruler or public trustee—is to be directed toward the welfare of the people (town and countryside), not toward private indulgence; ethical restraint governs even legitimate transactions.
Nārada addresses a revered Brāhmaṇa and explains that he cannot simply pay off the full due by valuing the horses, because his resources are earmarked for the public—citizens and provincial inhabitants—rather than for his own discretionary enjoyment.