Shloka 32
Araṇi Lost to the Deer: Pāṇḍavas Pursue to Preserve Agnihotra (अरणी-हरण प्रसङ्गः)
राजोवाच पुत्रि प्रदानकालस्ते न च कश्चिद् वृणोति माम् । स्वयमन्विच्छ भर्तारें गुणै: सदृशमात्मन:,राजा बोले--बेटी! अब किसी वरके साथ तेरा ब्याह कर देनेका समय आ गया है, परंतु (तेरे तेजसे प्रतिहत हो जानेके कारण) कोई भी मुझसे तुझे माँग नहीं रहा है। इसलिये तू स्वयं ही ऐसे वरकी खोज कर ले जो गुणोंमें तेरे समान हो
rājovāca putri pradānakālas te na ca kaścid vṛṇoti mām | svayam anviccha bhartāraṁ guṇaiḥ sadṛśam ātmanaḥ ||
قال الملك: «يا ابنتي، قد حان وقت أن أزوّجك، ومع ذلك لا يأتي أحدٌ يطلبك مني. فابحثي أنتِ بنفسك عن زوجٍ يماثلك في الفضائل.»
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Marriage is framed as a dharmic responsibility timed appropriately, yet the spouse should be chosen with attention to character and virtues; when social circumstances prevent normal proposals, the daughter is permitted agency to seek a worthy match.
A king addresses his daughter, noting that her marriageable time has arrived but no suitor approaches; he therefore instructs her to find a husband herself who is equal to her in qualities.