Shloka 17
नारदकथितं माधव्याः तपश्चर्या–ययातेः स्वर्गविचारः | Nārada on Mādhavī’s Asceticism and the Scrutiny of Yayāti in Heaven
“गालव! तुमने पहले ही इसे यहीं क्यों नहीं दे दिया, जिससे मुझे ही वंशप्रवर्तक चार पुत्र प्राप्त हो जाते ।।
Nārada uvāca: Gālava! tvayā pūrvam eva iyam iha kasmān na pradattā, yena mamaiva vaṁśa-pravartakāś catvāraḥ putrāḥ prāptā bhaveyuḥ. pratigṛhṇāmi te kanyām eka-putra-phalāya vai. aśvāś cāśramam āsādya carantu mama sarvaśaḥ.
那罗陀说道：“迦罗婆！你为何不在起初就于此地将她交与我，使我得四子以续宗祧？也罢——如今我从你手中收下这位少女，确为求得一子之果。至于那些马，让它们来到我的道场，在四方自由牧食，尽归我所有。”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical weight of dāna and pratigraha (giving and accepting): acceptance is framed not as indulgence but as a purpose-bound act tied to lineage and responsibility. It also reflects how intentions and timing in fulfilling obligations can change outcomes.
Nārada addresses Gālava, remarking that if the maiden had been given earlier, Nārada could have gained four lineage-continuing sons. He then agrees to accept her now for the sake of obtaining one son, and declares that the horses are to come to his hermitage and graze freely as his.