Shloka 17
Gālava Completes the Horse-Gift: Garuḍa’s Counsel and Viśvāmitra’s Acceptance (गालव-विष्वामित्र-सम्बन्धः)
उशीनरं प्रतिग्राह्म गालव: प्रययौ वनम् । रेमे स तां समासाद्य कृतपुण्य इव श्रियम्,उशीनरको वह कन्या सौंपकर गालव मुनि वनको चले गये। जैसे पुण्यात्मा पुरुष राज्यलक्ष्मीको प्राप्त करे, उसी प्रकार उस राजकन्याको पाकर राजा उशीनर उसके साथ रमण करने लगे
Uśīnaraṃ pratigṛhya Gālavaḥ prayayau vanam | Reme sa tāṃ samāsādya kṛta-puṇya iva śriyam ||
उशीनरं प्रतिग्राह्य गालवः प्रययौ वनम् । रेमे स तां समासाद्य कृतपुण्य इव श्रियम् ॥
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Merit (puṇya) is portrayed as yielding tangible prosperity (śrī), and dharma is shown through the faithful completion of one’s entrusted task: Gālava, having delivered what was due, renounces further involvement and returns to the forest.
Nārada narrates that Gālava hands the maiden over to King Uśīnara and then departs for the forest. The king, having obtained her, lives joyfully with her, likened to a meritorious man attaining prosperity.