Shloka 45
Dāyavibhāga (Inheritance Apportionment) and Household Precedence — Dialogue of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīṣma
प्रसिद्ध भाषितं दाने नैषां प्रत्यायकं पुन: । ये मन्यन्ते क्रयं शुल्क न ते धर्मविदो नरा:
bhīṣma uvāca | prasiddhaṃ bhāṣitaṃ dāne naiṣāṃ pratyāyakaṃ punaḥ | ye manyante krayaṃ śulkaṃ na te dharmavido narāḥ |
قال بهيشما: «في أمر العطاء—ولا سيما عطاء الابنة—تجري بين الناس مقولة مشهورة: فالجميع يسمّونه “هبة الابنة”. لذلك فالذين يجعلون الزواج قائمًا بمجرد رسمٍ أو ثمن شراء لا يجدون برهانًا موثوقًا يثبت دعواهم. والرجال الذين يقرّون “الشراء” و“ثمن العروس” على أنهما حُجّة ليسوا من العارفين بالدهرما.»
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Marriage involving a daughter should be understood in the ethical frame of dāna (gift), not as a commercial transaction; treating it as purchase or fee-based undermines dharma and lacks true moral authority.
Bhishma is instructing on dharma and social conduct, rejecting the idea that a marriage is validated by payment (śulka/kraya) and affirming the culturally and morally recognized notion of kanyādāna (giving the maiden) as the proper understanding.