Shloka 6

Gālava Completes the Horse-Gift: Garuḍa’s Counsel and Viśvāmitra’s Acceptance (गालव-विष्वामित्र-सम्बन्धः)

Devanagari script

गुर्वर्थोडयं समारम्भो न हयै: कृत्यमस्ति मे । यदि शक्‍्यं महाराज क्रियतामविचारितम्‌,“मैंने गुरुदक्षिणा देनेके लिये यह उद्योग आरम्भ किया है अन्यथा मुझे इन घोड़ोंकी कोई आवश्यकता नहीं है। महाराज! यदि आपके लिये यह शुल्क देना सम्भव हो तो कोई अन्यथा विचार न करके यह कार्य सम्पन्न कीजिये

Transliteration

gurvarthodayaṃ samārambho na hayaiḥ kṛtyam asti me | yadi śakyaṃ mahārāja kriyatām avicāritam ||

Translation

नारद उवाच—गुर्वर्थोदयं समारम्भो न हयैः कृत्यमस्ति मे । यदि शक्यं महाराज क्रियतामविचारितम् ॥

Word by Word

• {'gurvartha-udayam': 'the raising/obtaining of means for the guru’s purpose

• specifically for guru-dakṣiṇā', 'samārambhaḥ': 'undertaking, enterprise, initiation of an effort', 'na ... kṛtyam asti': 'there is no business/need/obligation (for me)', 'hayaiḥ': 'with horses

• horses (instrumental plural of haya)', 'yadi śakyam': 'if it is possible/feasible', 'mahārāja': 'O great king', 'kriyatām': 'let it be done

• please accomplish it (passive imperative)', 'avicāritam': 'without deliberation/second thoughts

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Nārada
• Mahārāja (the king addressed)
• guru (teacher)
• guru-dakṣiṇā (teacher’s fee)
• horses (haya)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights intention and dharma: possessions (here, horses) are not sought for personal enjoyment but as a means to fulfill a righteous obligation—paying the guru’s due. It also urges prompt, decisive action when one is capable of supporting a just cause.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nārada explains to the king that his current effort involving horses is undertaken solely to obtain resources for guru-dakṣiṇā. He tells the king that if he can provide the required payment, he should do so immediately, removing the need for further pursuit of the horses.