Shloka 17

Haryaśva’s Agreement with Gālava and the Birth of Vasumanā

Nārada’s narration

Devanagari script

गते पतगराजे तु गालव: सह कनन्‍्यया । चिन्तयान: क्षमं दाने राज्ञां वै शुल्कतोडगमत्‌

Transliteration

gate patagarāje tu gālavaḥ saha kanyayā | cintayānaḥ kṣamaṃ dāne rājñāṃ vai śulkatoḍaṃ jagāmat |

Translation

Khi chim vương đã rời đi, Gālava, cùng thiếu nữ ấy, suy ngẫm xem điều gì sẽ được các bậc quân vương chấp nhận như một lễ vật. Tìm một phương cách hợp pháp và khả thi để đáp ứng sính lễ bị đòi hỏi, ông đến Śulkatoḍa, quyết giành lấy của cải cần thiết mà không trái với lẽ phải.

Word by Word

• गते: when (he) had gone
• गते: Adhikarana
• Type: Adjective
• Root: गत (√गम्)
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• पतगराजे: in/when the king of birds (Garuda)
• पतगराजे: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: पतगराज
• Form: Masculine, Locative, Singular

• तु: but/then
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तु

• गालवः: Galava
• गालवः: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: गालव
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• सह: together with
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सह

• कन्यया: with the maiden
• कन्यया: Karana
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या
• Form: Feminine, Instrumental, Singular

• चिन्तयानः: thinking/pondering
• चिन्तयानः: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: चिन्तयत् (√चिन्त्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• क्षमम्: proper/possible/fit
• क्षमम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: क्षम
• Form: Neuter, Accusative, Singular

• दाने: in giving (as gift)
• दाने: Adhikarana
• Type: Noun
• Root: दान
• Form: Neuter, Locative, Singular

• राज्ञाम्: of kings
• Type: Noun
• Root: राजन्
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Plural

• वै: indeed/assuredly
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: वै

• शुल्कतः: from the bride-price/fee
• शुल्कतः: Apadana
• Type: Noun
• Root: शुल्क
• Form: Neuter, Ablative, Singular

• उद्गमत्: went forth/set out
• उद्गमत्: Karta
• Type: Verb
• Root: उद्गच्छत् (उद्+√गम्)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

Speaker

नारद उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Gālava
• the maiden (kanyā)
• Patagarāja (king of birds, i.e., Garuḍa)
• Śulkatoḍa

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

Before acting, one should deliberate on what is kṣama—ethically proper and practically feasible—especially in matters of wealth, obligations, and social customs. The verse highlights conscientious decision-making so that a vow or duty is fulfilled without impropriety.

What is happening in the narrative?

After the departure of the ‘king of birds’ (Garuḍa), Gālava continues his quest with the maiden. He considers how kings can rightly provide the required payment (śulka) and then goes to a figure/place named Śulkatoḍa to pursue the means of obtaining it.