Section CXVI - Story of King Haryasva, Galava, and Maiden Madhavi
Book index: Mahabharata (English)
This page contains a summary of the Mahabharata Section CXVI including examples of moral lessons in daily life. The Maha-Bharata is one of the largest epics ever written containing roughly 100,000 Sanskrit verses. It deals with the legendary history of ancient India and contains a large number of interwoven tales.
Short summary of the chapter:
The story begins with King Haryasva desiring a son and being advised by Galava to marry a maiden with auspicious signs. The maiden, Madhavi, is described as perfect and capable of bearing many children, including an emperor. Galava asks for a dower of eight hundred steeds, but King Haryasva only has two hundred. Madhavi offers herself to the king, accepting his steeds as a fourth of the dower, in order to fulfill her destiny of bearing sons.
Despite having only two hundred steeds, King Haryasva marries Madhavi and they have a son named Vasumanas, who grows up to be a wealthy and powerful king. Galava returns and tells Haryasva of his time to move on to another king for alms, as the agreed dower is not complete. Haryasva, unable to fulfill the dower, returns Madhavi to Galava, who happily leaves with her. Madhavi gives up her royal life to follow Galava, true to her destiny.
Galava then takes Madhavi with him to King Divodasa, continuing his quest for alms. The story showcases the sacrifices made by Madhavi and the honesty of King Haryasva, despite his inability to fulfill the dower. Madhavi's willingness to give up her royal life for the fulfillment of her destiny and her faith in Galava's guidance are central themes of the story. The tale highlights the importance of fulfilling promises and the power of destiny in shaping one's life.
Full English translation:
This page is merely a summary which is automatically generated. If you are looking for authentic sources such as the Sanskrit text or the Full English translation of Mahabharata Section CXVI - Story of King Haryasva, Galava, and Maiden Madhavi, have a look at the following articles:
Section CXVI, online text
English translation by Kisari Mohan Ganguli.
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Mahabharata (English Summary)
by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | ISBN-10: 8121505933
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FAQ of Mahabharata, Section CXVI:
What was the dower asked by Galava from king Haryasva?
Galava requested eight hundred lunar white steeds with one black ear each.
What happened when king Haryasva could not fulfill the dower request?
Madhavi, the maiden, was returned to Galava as the king lacked the required steeds.
Daily life: Story of King Haryasva, Galava, and Maiden Madhavi:
The story of King Haryasva teaches the importance of creativity and adaptability when faced with challenging situations. In life, just like the king and the sage Galava, we may not always have everything we need to reach our goals. However, by thinking outside the box and being open to unconventional solutions, we can find a way forward. The exchange between Galava and the kings for the dower of horses in return for the opportunity to father a child with Madhavi demonstrates the value of negotiation and finding mutually beneficial solutions.
Moreover, the willingness of Madhavi to be part of this arrangement, to help Galava fulfill his obligation, highlights the significance of teamwork and sacrifice. Sometimes, we need to work together and might have to make sacrifices for the greater goal. The story also embodies the principle of trust and fulfilling commitments, as seen when the kings accept the terms set by Galava, and Madhavi returns to him after bearing a child. Embracing these values in daily life can enrich our personal and professional relationships, driving us towards success even when the path seems uncertain.