Shloka 19

Haryaśva’s Agreement with Gālava and the Birth of Vasumanā

Nārada’s narration

Devanagari script

कोशधान्यबलोपेतं प्रियपौरं द्विजप्रियम्‌ । प्रजाभिकामं शाम्यन्तं कुर्वाणं तप उत्तमम्‌

Transliteration

kośadhānyabalopetaṃ priyapauraṃ dvijapriyam | prajābhikāmaṃ śāmyantaṃ kurvāṇaṃ tapa uttamam ||

Translation

அவன் கருவூலம், செல்வம்-தானியம், படைபலம் ஆகிய அனைத்திலும் நிறைந்தவன். நகரமக்களுக்கு அன்பானவன்; பிராமணர்களுக்கு மிகப் பிரியமானவன். குடிமக்களின் நலனையே நாடுபவன்; மனம் அமைதியுற்று, இன்பவிளையாட்டுகளின் பற்றிலிருந்து விடுபட்டவன்; உயர்ந்த தவத்தில் ஈடுபட்டிருந்தான்.

Word by Word

• {'kośa': 'treasury

• royal store of wealth', 'dhānya': 'grain

• provisions', 'bala': 'strength

• military force', 'upeta': 'endowed with

• possessed of', 'priya': 'dear

• beloved', 'paura': 'townspeople

• citizens', 'dvija': '‘twice-born’

• Brahmin (also used for the upper varṇas, but here chiefly Brahmins)', 'dvijapriya': 'one who is dear to Brahmins

• devoted to Brahmins', 'prajā': 'subjects

• the people', 'abhikāma': 'desiring

• wishing for (here: wishing their good)', 'śāmyantam': 'peaceful

• self-controlled', 'kurvāṇam': 'doing

• engaged in', 'tapas': 'austerity

• disciplined spiritual effort', 'uttamam': 'highest

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Nārada
• paurāḥ (townspeople/citizens)
• dvijāḥ (Brahmins)
• prajā (subjects/people)
• kośa (treasury)
• dhānya (grain stores)
• bala (army/force)
• tapas (austerity)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse presents an ethical model of rulership: material sufficiency (treasury, provisions, force) should be joined with public affection, respect for Brahmins and learning, a sincere commitment to the welfare of subjects, inner calm, detachment from sensual indulgence, and disciplined austerity.

What is happening in the narrative?

Nārada is describing a ruler’s qualities, emphasizing both external prosperity and internal virtue—how he is supported by resources and strength, yet remains devoted to the people’s good, honored by citizens and Brahmins, and personally committed to self-restraint and tapas.