Shloka 19
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
ततः स विस्मितो राजा गाधि: शापभयेन च । ददौ तां समलंकृत्य कन्यां भगुसुताय वै,तब आश्चर्यवचकित हुए राजा गाधिने शापके भयसे डरकर अपनी कन्याको वस्त्राभूषणोंसे विभूषित करके भूगुनन्दन ऋचीकको दे दिया
tataḥ sa vismito rājā gādhiḥ śāpabhayena ca | dadau tāṃ samalaṅkṛtya kanyāṃ bhṛgusutāya vai ||
Maka Raja Gādhi pun tercengang dan juga gentar akan kutuk; ia menghias putrinya dengan busana dan perhiasan, lalu menyerahkannya kepada Ṛcīka, putra Bhṛgu.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pressure of accountability: a king, mindful of the moral and social consequences symbolized by a curse, chooses a dharma-aligned resolution—formalizing the union respectfully by adorning and giving his daughter—rather than resisting and risking greater disorder.
Bhīṣma narrates that King Gādhi, surprised by events and afraid of incurring a curse, prepares his daughter with proper adornment and gives her to Ṛcīka, the Bhṛgu-descendant, indicating acceptance of the match and completion of the marital gift.