Shloka 20
Divodāsa–Mādhavī Saṃvāda: Pratardana-janma and Kanyā-niryātana (दिवोदास–माधवी संवादः / प्रतर्दन-जननम् / कन्या-निर्यातनम्)
हर्यश्व: सत्यवचने स्थित: स्थित्वा च पौरुषे । दुर्लभत्वाद्धयानां च प्रददौ माधवीं पुन:
haryaśvaḥ satyavacane sthitaḥ sthitvā ca pauruṣe | durlabhatvāddhayānāṃ ca pradadau mādhavīṃ punaḥ ||
Nārada berkata: Haryaśva, teguh pada kebenaran dan kukuh dalam tekad keperwiraan, serta memikirkan betapa sukarnya memperoleh kuda-kuda itu, lalu menyerahkan Mādhavī kembali sekali lagi.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights kṣatriya-dharma grounded in satya (truthfulness): a ruler should stand by his word and act with disciplined resolve, valuing ethical conduct over mere possession—here expressed by returning Mādhavī despite the lure of rare horses.
In Nārada’s narration of the Mādhavī story, King Haryaśva—having obtained the desired rare horses—acts honorably and gives Mādhavī back again, showing steadfastness in truth and proper conduct.