05.114

Nārada said.

King Haryashva, after much reflection, the best of kings, sighed long and hotly for the sake of his subjects, and then spoke. (5-114-1)

Among elevated things, she is elevated in six; among subtle things, she is subtle in seven; she is deep in three among the deep, and she is red in five. (5-114-2)

She is seen by many gods and asuras, frequently beheld by gandharvas, possessed of many auspicious marks, and endowed with great fertility. (5-114-3)

She is capable of bearing a son who will be a universal emperor. O best of the twice-born, tell me the bride-price, considering my wealth. (5-114-4)

Gālava said:

On one side, give me eight hundred dark-eared horses, moon-white in color, native to the region, splendid in appearance. (5-114-5)

Then this auspicious, wide-eyed woman will become the mother of your sons, the source of them as the arani is for fires. (5-114-6)

Nārada said:

Hearing these words, King Haryashva, overcome by desire, humbly said to Galava, the royal sage, best among seers: (5-114-7)

I have two hundred horses of any kind that are ready for you; but hundreds of other steeds of mine are roaming free. (5-114-8)

So I shall beget one child, Gālava, upon her; may you grant me this boon as I desire. (5-114-9)

Having heard this, the maiden said to Gālava, "A certain boon was granted to me by a Brāhmaṇa sage." (5-114-10)

After giving birth you will again become a maiden, and then, having received excellent horses, give me to the king. (5-114-11)

For those four kings, there shall certainly be eight hundred complete (sets each), and likewise, I will have four sons. (5-114-12)

Let a solution be found for me for the sake of my teacher, O best of Brāhmaṇas. This is my understanding at present, or as you think best, O Brāhmaṇa. (5-114-13)

But then, the sage Gālava, thus addressed by the maiden, spoke these words to Haryaśva, the ruler of the earth: (5-114-14)

This girl, O Haryashva, best of men, accept as your wife for a fourth part of the bride-price, and beget one son by her. (5-114-15)

Having accepted the maiden and having honored Gālava, he obtained the desired son at the proper time and place. (5-114-16)

Then a son was born, named Vasumana, the most excellent among the Vasus, famed as Vasu, a king who was a bestower of wealth. (5-114-17)

Then, after some time, the wise Gālava approached and, coming near, spoke to Haryaśva, whose mind was delighted. (5-114-18)

O king, your son has been born—he shines like the young rising sun. It is now time, best of men, to go and seek charity from another king. (5-114-19)

Haryashva, steadfast in truthfulness and manliness, gave Madhavi again, because sons are rare. (5-114-20)

And Madhavi, abandoning once more the radiant royal fortune, of her own will became a maiden and followed Galava. (5-114-21)

The brahmin said, "Let the horses remain here with you for now," and then, together with the maiden, went to Divodāsa, the lord of the people. (5-114-22)