Shloka 17
नारदकथितं माधव्याः तपश्चर्या–ययातेः स्वर्गविचारः | Nārada on Mādhavī’s Asceticism and the Scrutiny of Yayāti in Heaven
“गालव! तुमने पहले ही इसे यहीं क्यों नहीं दे दिया, जिससे मुझे ही वंशप्रवर्तक चार पुत्र प्राप्त हो जाते ।। प्रतिगृह्ञामि ते कन्यामेकपुत्रफलाय वै । अश्वाश्चाश्रममासाद्य चरन्तु मम सर्वश:,“अच्छा, अब मैं एक पुत्ररूपी फलकी प्राप्तिके लिये तुमसे इस कन्याको ग्रहण करता हूँ। ये घोड़े मेरे आश्रममें आकर सब ओर चरें”
Nārada uvāca: Gālava! tvayā pūrvam eva iyam iha kasmān na pradattā, yena mamaiva vaṁśa-pravartakāś catvāraḥ putrāḥ prāptā bhaveyuḥ. pratigṛhṇāmi te kanyām eka-putra-phalāya vai. aśvāś cāśramam āsādya carantu mama sarvaśaḥ.
ナーラダは言った。「ガーラヴァよ、なぜ最初からここで彼女を私に与えなかったのか。そうすれば、家系を継ぐ四人の息子を私は得ていたであろう。よい—今は、ただ一人の子という果報のために、この乙女をお前から受け取ろう。そして馬たちは我がアーシュラマへ来て、四方に自由に草を食み、すべて我がものとなれ。」
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of dāna and pratigraha (giving and accepting): acceptance is framed not as indulgence but as a purpose-bound act tied to lineage and responsibility. It also reflects how intentions and timing in fulfilling obligations can change outcomes.
Nārada addresses Gālava, remarking that if the maiden had been given earlier, Nārada could have gained four lineage-continuing sons. He then agrees to accept her now for the sake of obtaining one son, and declares that the horses are to come to his hermitage and graze freely as his.