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,वे कोष, धन-धान्य और सैनिकबल--सबसे सम्पन्न थे। पुरवासी प्रजा उन्हें बहुत ही प्रिय थी। ब्राह्मणोंके प्रति उनका अधिक प्रेम था। वे प्रजावर्गके हितकी इच्छा रखते थे। उनका मन भोगोंसे विरक्त एवं शान्त था। वे उत्तम तपस्यामें लगे हुए थे

Transliteration

kośadhānyabalopetaṃ priyapauraṃ dvijapriyam | prajābhikāmaṃ śāmyantaṃ kurvāṇaṃ tapa uttamam ||

Translation

那罗陀曰：“彼王府库充盈，谷粟丰饶，兵力强盛；为城中百姓所爱，尤为婆罗门所亲。常愿黎庶安乐，其心澄静，不染欲乐，且修最上苦行（tapas）。”

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.