Srimad Bhagavatam — Navama Skandha, Shloka 43
Ikṣvāku Dynasty: Vikukṣi’s Offense, Purañjaya’s Victory, Māndhātā’s Birth, and Saubhari’s Fall and Renunciation
मुनि: प्रवेशित: क्षत्रा कन्यान्त:पुरमृद्धिमत् । वृत: स राजकन्याभिरेकं पञ्चाशता वर: ॥ ४३ ॥
muniḥ praveśitaḥ kṣatrā kanyāntaḥpuram ṛddhimat vṛtaḥ sa rāja-kanyābhir ekaṁ pañcāśatā varaḥ
Thereafter, when Saubhari Muni became quite a young and beautiful person, the messenger of the palace took him inside the residential quarters of the princesses, which were extremely opulent. All fifty princesses then accepted him as their husband, although he was only one man.
FAQs
This verse depicts a king arranging a dharmic marriage setting—bringing a qualified sage into the princesses’ quarters—after which the princesses choose him, showing marriage as a social and dharmic institution guided by propriety.
In the narrative, the king formally introduces the sage to the princesses in an appropriate royal setting so that the marriage choice can occur according to custom, with the princesses accepting one bridegroom.
It highlights the value of dignity, consent, and dharmic procedure in major life decisions—choosing a partner with respect for character and proper guidance rather than impulse.