Shloka 29
Akṛtavraṇa’s Account Begins: Gādhi–Satyavatī–Ṛcīka and the Bhārgava Lineage Prelude
ततो गाधि: सुतां चास्मै जन्याश्वासन् सुरास्तदा | लब्ध्वा हयसहसंर॑ तु तांश्न दष्टवा दिवौकस:,जहाँ वे श्यामकर्ण घोड़े प्रकट हुए थे, वह स्थान अश्वतीर्थके नामसे विख्यात हुआ। तत्पश्चात् राजा गाधिने शुल्करूपमें एक हजार श्यामकर्ण घोड़े प्राप्त करके गंगातटपर कान्यकुब्ज नगरमें ऋचीक मुनिको अपनी पुत्री सत्यवती ब्याह दी! उस समय देवता बराती बने थे। देवता उन सबको देखकर वहाँसे चले गये
tato gādhiḥ sutāṃ cāsmāi janyāśvāsan surās tadā | labdhvā hayasahasraṃ tu tān dṛṣṭvā divaukasaḥ ||
Então o rei Gādhi deu-lhe a filha (a Ṛcīka), e naquele tempo os próprios deuses permaneceram como testemunhas do matrimônio. Tendo-se obtido o śulka de mil cavalos, os seres celestes, após contemplarem aqueles corcéis maravilhosos, partiram daquele lugar. O episódio ressalta uma aliança matrimonial sancionada pela sociedade (com śulka) e o meio extraordinário, ligado ao divino, pelo qual se assegurou o dom requerido.
अकृतव्रण उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights dharma in social order: marriage alliances are formalized through accepted customs (such as śulka), and extraordinary gains should still be integrated into righteous, socially accountable action rather than personal greed.
King Gādhi gives his daughter in marriage to Ṛcīka after receiving a bride-price of a thousand horses; the gods are present as celestial witnesses, and after seeing the remarkable horses they depart.