Shloka 6

Gālava Completes the Horse-Gift: Garuḍa’s Counsel and Viśvāmitra’s Acceptance (गालव-विष्वामित्र-सम्बन्धः)

Devanagari script

गुर्वर्थोडयं समारम्भो न हयै: कृत्यमस्ति मे । यदि शक्‍्यं महाराज क्रियतामविचारितम्‌

Transliteration

gurvarthodayaṃ samārambho na hayaiḥ kṛtyam asti me | yadi śakyaṃ mahārāja kriyatām avicāritam ||

Translation

Nārada dit : «Cette entreprise n’a été commencée que pour réunir de quoi acquitter la gurudakṣiṇā, l’offrande due à mon maître ; autrement, je n’ai nul besoin de ces chevaux. Ô roi, si tu as le pouvoir de payer ce dû, fais-le accomplir sur-le-champ, sans hésitation.»

Word by Word

• {'gurvartha-udayam': 'the raising/obtaining of means for the guru’s purpose

• specifically for guru-dakṣiṇā', 'samārambhaḥ': 'undertaking, enterprise, initiation of an effort', 'na ... kṛtyam asti': 'there is no business/need/obligation (for me)', 'hayaiḥ': 'with horses

• horses (instrumental plural of haya)', 'yadi śakyam': 'if it is possible/feasible', 'mahārāja': 'O great king', 'kriyatām': 'let it be done

• please accomplish it (passive imperative)', 'avicāritam': 'without deliberation/second thoughts

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Nārada
• Mahārāja (the king addressed)
• guru (teacher)
• guru-dakṣiṇā (teacher’s fee)
• horses (haya)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights intention and dharma: possessions (here, horses) are not sought for personal enjoyment but as a means to fulfill a righteous obligation—paying the guru’s due. It also urges prompt, decisive action when one is capable of supporting a just cause.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nārada explains to the king that his current effort involving horses is undertaken solely to obtain resources for guru-dakṣiṇā. He tells the king that if he can provide the required payment, he should do so immediately, removing the need for further pursuit of the horses.