Vamana Purana — Jabali on the Banyan Tree, Shloka 44
Jabali Bound on the Banyan Tree and Nandayanti’s Appeal at Sri-Kantha on the Yamuna
अस्वातन्त्र्यं तवास्तीह प्रदाने स्वत्मनो ऽनघे पिता तवास्ति धर्मिष्ठः सर्वशिल्पविशारदः
asvātantryaṃ tavāstīha pradāne svatmano 'naghe pitā tavāsti dharmiṣṭhaḥ sarvaśilpaviśāradaḥ
“Blameless one, in this matter of giving yourself (in marriage) you do not have independence here. Your father is present—most righteous, and skilled in every art (i.e., competent in all matters).”
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FAQs
It reflects a dharma-oriented social model where a maiden’s marriage is typically arranged/authorized by the father or guardian; the verse articulates that norm explicitly.
The epithet legitimizes his decision-making: he is not only righteous (dharmiṣṭha) but also practically competent, implying he can judge suitability, alliances, and welfare.
No. Despite the Vāmana Purāṇa’s strong geographical orientation, these lines are purely social-narrative and contain no named river, lake, forest, or tīrtha.