Shloka 24
Akṛtavraṇa’s Account Begins: Gādhi–Satyavatī–Ṛcīka and the Bhārgava Lineage Prelude
न चापि भगवान् वाच्यो दीयतामिति भार्गव । देया मे दुहिता चैव त्वद्विधाय महात्मने,'भगुनन्दन! आप कोई निन्दनीय तो हैं नहीं, यह शुल्क चुका दीजिये, फिर आप-जैसे महात्माको मैं अवश्य अपनी कन्या ब्याह दूँगा"
na cāpi bhagavān vācyo dīyatām iti bhārgava | deyā me duhitā caiva tvadvidhāya mahātmane ||
Akṛtavraṇa berkata: “Seorang yang mulia seperti tuan tidak patut ditegur dengan kata yang merendahkan—‘Bayarlah!’ wahai Bhārgava. Setelah śulka yang sewajarnya diserahkan, pasti akan aku kahwinkan puteriku dengan insan berhati besar seperti tuan.”
अकृतव्रण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes ethical speech and social propriety: even when insisting on a lawful obligation (the bride-price), one should not address a revered person harshly. Dharma includes both the demand itself and the manner of making it.
Akṛtavraṇa addresses a Bhārgava, clarifying that he will not insult him by bluntly ordering payment; yet he maintains the condition that the required śulka must be given, after which he will give his daughter in marriage to such a worthy, great-souled man.