Shloka 21
Divodāsa–Mādhavī Saṃvāda: Pratardana-janma and Kanyā-niryātana (दिवोदास–माधवी संवादः / प्रतर्दन-जननम् / कन्या-निर्यातनम्)
राजा हर्यश्व॒ सत्य वचनपर दृढ़ रहनेवाले थे। उन्होंने पुरुषार्थमें समर्थ होकर भी छ: सौ श्यामकर्ण घोड़े दुर्लभ होनेके कारण माधवीको पुनः लौटा दिया ।।
rājā haryaśvaḥ satyavacana-paro dṛḍha-ratir āsīt | sa puruṣārthe samartho 'pi ṣaṭ-śatāni śyāma-karṇāśvān durlabhatvāt mādhavīṃ punaḥ pratyadāt || mādhavī ca punar dīptāṃ parityajya nṛpa-śriyam | kumārī kāmato bhūtvā gālavaṃ pṛṣṭhato 'nvayāt ||
Disse Nārada: O rei Haryaśva permanecia firme na palavra verdadeira. Embora capaz de empenhar-se, devolveu Mādhavī, pois os seiscentos cavalos de orelhas escuras eram extremamente difíceis de obter. Mādhavī, por sua vez, renunciou ao esplendor régio de Ayodhyā; por vontade própria tornou a ser donzela e seguiu atrás do sábio Gālava.
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores dharma through satya (truthfulness) and integrity: even when one has power, one should not pursue what is ethically or practically unattainable at the cost of righteousness. It also highlights Mādhavī’s self-determination and renunciation—choosing duty and purpose over royal comfort.
King Haryaśva, known for keeping his word, returns Mādhavī because the demanded gift—six hundred rare dark-eared horses—cannot be procured. Mādhavī then relinquishes Ayodhyā’s royal splendor and, by her own will, becomes a maiden again and continues the journey following the sage Gālava.