Chapter 116

“Narada said, ‘That best of monarchs, king Haryyaswa, after reflectingfor a long while and breathing a long and hot sigh about the birth of ason, at last said, ‘Those six limbs[16] that ought to be high are high inthis maiden. Those seven, again, that ought to be slender are slender inher. Those three, again, which ought to be deep are deep in her. Andlastly, those five that ought to be red are red in her. It seems that sheis worth being looked at by even the gods and the Asuras, and isaccomplished in all the arts and sciences. Possessed of all auspicioussigns, she will certainly bring forth many children. She is even capableof bringing forth a son who may become an emperor. Having regard to mywealth, tell me, O foremost of Brahmanas, what should be her dower.’Galava said, ‘Give me eight hundred steeds, born in a good country, oflunar whiteness, and each with one ear black in hue. This auspicious andlarge-eyed maiden will then become the mother of thy sons, like thefire-stick becoming the genetrix of fire.'”

“Narada continued, ‘Hearing these words, that royal sage, king Haryyaswa,filled with sorrow, but blinded by lust, addressed Galava, that foremostof Rishis, saying, ‘I have only two hundred steeds about me of the kindwanted by thee, although of other kinds all worthy of sacrifice, I havemany thousand moving about (in my dominions), O Galava, I desire to begetonly one son upon this damsel. Kindly grant this request of mine.’Hearing these words of the king, that damsel said unto Galava, ‘A reciterof Brahma granted me a boon that I would after each delivery, be a maidenagain. Give me away, therefore, to this king, accepting his excellentsteeds. In this way, full eight hundred steeds may be obtained by theefrom four kings in succession, and I also may have four sons. Collectthou the wealth intended for thy preceptor, in this way. Even this iswhat I think. It depends, however, oil thee, O Brahmana, as to how thoushouldst act.’ Thus addressed by that maiden, the Muni Galava said thesewords unto king Haryyaswa, ‘O Haryyaswa, O best of men, accept thisdamsel for a fourth part of the dower that I have settled, and beget onlyone son upon her.’ Taking then that maiden and worshipping Galava, theking in due time and place had by her a son of the kind wished for. Andthe son so born came to be called by the name of Vasumanas. Richer thanall the wealthy kings of the earth, and resembling one of the Vasusthemselves he became a king and giver of great wealth.

‘After some time, intelligent Galava came back and approaching thedelighted Haryyaswa, said unto him, ‘Thou hast, O king obtained a son.Indeed, this child is like the sun himself in splendour. The time hathcome, O foremost of men, for me to go to some other king for alms.’Hearing these words, Haryyaswa who was even truthful in speech and steadyin acts of manliness, and remembering that the balance of six hundredsteeds could not be made up by him, gave Madhavi back to Galava. AndMadhavi also, abandoning that blazing, kingly prosperity, and once morebecoming a maiden, followed the footsteps of Galava. And Galava too,saying, ‘Let the steeds remain with thee’ then went, accompanied by themaiden, to king Divodasa.'”