Shloka 5
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
तत्र राज्ञ: समुदितान् सर्वतः समुपागतान् | ददर्श कन्यास्ताश्नैव भीष्म: शान्तनुनन्दन:,वहाँ शान्तनुनन्दन भीष्मने देखा, सब ओरसे आये हुए राजाओंका समुदाय स्वयंवर- सभामें जुटा हुआ है और वे कन्याएँ भी स्वयंवरमें उपस्थित हैं
tatra rājñaḥ samuditān sarvataḥ samupāgatān | dadarśa kanyās tāś caiva bhīṣmaḥ śāntanunandanaḥ ||
Dort sah Bhīṣma —der Sohn Śāntanus— die Schar der Könige, die aus allen Himmelsrichtungen in der Halle des Svayaṃvara zusammengekommen war, und er erblickte auch die Jungfrauen, die dort anwesend waren.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharmic crossroads: a svayaṃvara is a public institution meant to regulate marriage choice and political alliance under social norms. By highlighting the gathered kings and the maidens, it underscores how personal choice, royal ambition, and kṣatriya honor can collide—setting up later ethical debates about force, consent, and duty.
Vaiśampāyana narrates that Bhīṣma arrives at the svayaṃvara venue and observes the scene: kings from all directions have assembled, and the maidens are present. This establishes the setting immediately before decisive actions connected with the Kāśī princesses’ svayaṃvara.