Shloka 13
Gālava Completes the Horse-Gift: Garuḍa’s Counsel and Viśvāmitra’s Acceptance (गालव-विष्वामित्र-सम्बन्धः)
मूल्येनापि सम॑ कुर्या तवाहं द्विजसत्तम । पौरजानपदार्थ तु ममार्थो नात्मभोगत:
mūlyenāpi samaṃ kuryās tavāhaṃ dvijasattama | paurajānapa-dārthaṃ tu mamārtho nātmabhogataḥ ||
那罗陀说道：“婆罗门中最尊者啊，即便以马价相偿，我也无法尽数清结你应得之分。因为我的财富是为城中百姓与乡野居民之需而备，并非供我一己享乐。”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
Wealth held by a responsible person—especially a ruler or public trustee—is to be directed toward the welfare of the people (town and countryside), not toward private indulgence; ethical restraint governs even legitimate transactions.
Nārada addresses a revered Brāhmaṇa and explains that he cannot simply pay off the full due by valuing the horses, because his resources are earmarked for the public—citizens and provincial inhabitants—rather than for his own discretionary enjoyment.