Shloka 19
Viśvāmitra-janma: Ṛcīka–Satyavatī–Gādhi and the Charu Exchange (विश्वामित्र-जन्म: ऋचीक–सत्यवती–गाधि वृत्तान्तः)
ततः स विस्मितो राजा गाधि: शापभयेन च । ददौ तां समलंकृत्य कन्यां भगुसुताय वै,तब आश्चर्यवचकित हुए राजा गाधिने शापके भयसे डरकर अपनी कन्याको वस्त्राभूषणोंसे विभूषित करके भूगुनन्दन ऋचीकको दे दिया
tataḥ sa vismito rājā gādhiḥ śāpabhayena ca | dadau tāṃ samalaṅkṛtya kanyāṃ bhṛgusutāya vai ||
Pagkaraan, si Haring Gādhi ay namangha at natakot din sa sumpa; kaya’t binihisan at pinalamutian niya ang kaniyang anak na babae, at ibinigay siya bilang asawa kay Ṛcīka, anak ni Bhṛgu. Ipinakikita ng pangyayaring ito na ang pangamba sa adharma at sa mga bunga nito ay maaaring magtulak sa isang pinuno na kumilos nang mabilis upang panatilihin ang kaayusang panlipunan at moral, kahit biglaan ang pangyayari.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical pressure of accountability: a king, mindful of the moral and social consequences symbolized by a curse, chooses a dharma-aligned resolution—formalizing the union respectfully by adorning and giving his daughter—rather than resisting and risking greater disorder.
Bhīṣma narrates that King Gādhi, surprised by events and afraid of incurring a curse, prepares his daughter with proper adornment and gives her to Ṛcīka, the Bhṛgu-descendant, indicating acceptance of the match and completion of the marital gift.