“Narada continued, ‘Hearing these words, that royal sage, king Haryyaswa, filled with sorrow, but blinded by lust, addressed Galava, that foremost of Rishis, saying, “I have only two hundred steeds about me of the kind wanted by thee, although of other kinds all worthy of sacrifice, I have many thousand moving about (in my dominions). O Galava, I desire to beget only one son upon this damsel. Kindly grant this request of mine.” Hearing these words of the king, that damsel said unto Galava, “A reciter of Brahma granted me a boon that I would after each delivery, be a maiden again. Give me away, therefore, to this king, accepting his excellent steeds. In this way, full eight hundred steeds may be obtained by thee from four kings in succession, and I also may have four sons. Collect thou the wealth intended for thy preceptor, in this way. Even this is what I think. It depends, however, on thee, O Brahmana, as to how thou shouldst act.” Thus addressed by that maiden, the Muni Galava said these words unto king Haryyaswa, “O Haryyaswa, O best of men, accept this damsel for a fourth part of the dower that I have settled, and beget only one son upon her.” Taking then that maiden and worshipping Galava, the king in due time and place had by her a son of the kind wished for. And the son so born came to be called by the name of Vasumanas. Richer than all the wealthy kings of the earth, and resembling one of the Vasus themselves he became a king and giver of great wealth.Mbh 5.116.2 · Mahabharata · UDYOGA PARVA
Mbh 5.116.2
Mahabharata · translated by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Themes in this passage
LeadershipChildrenSpeechWealthDesireCharityCompassionGrief
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The same theme, as Christianity, Taoism and Hellenism address it.
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