Shloka 68

Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow

Devanagari script

आत्मन: प्रतिरूपो5सौ लब्ध: पतिरिति स्थिते । विचित्रवीर्य कल्याण्यौ पूजयामासतु: शुभे,वे यह जानकर संतुष्ट थीं कि हम दोनोंको अपने अनुरूप पति मिले हैं; अतः वे दोनों कल्याणमयी देवियाँ विचित्रवीर्यकी बड़ी सेवा-पूजा करने लगीं

Transliteration

ātmanaḥ pratirūpo ’sau labdhaḥ patir iti sthite | vicitravīrya-kalyāṇyau pūjayāmāsatuḥ śubhe ||

Translation

Vaiśampāyana sprach: Zufrieden in der Gewissheit, einen Gatten erlangt zu haben, der ihrer eigenen Natur entsprach, widmeten sich die beiden glückverheißenden und tugendhaften Damen dem Dienst und der Ehrung Vicitravīryas mit ehrfürchtiger Sorgfalt—ein Tun, das eheliche Pflicht und dankbare Annahme der ihnen gesetzten Ordnung widerspiegelte.

Word by Word

आत्मनःof oneself

प्रतिरूपःsuitable, corresponding

असौthat (man)

लब्धःobtained, found

पतिःhusband

इतिthus

स्थितेwhen (the two) were in the state (of being satisfied/settled)

विचित्रवीर्यकल्याण्यौthe two auspicious (wives) of Vichitravīrya

पूजयामासतुःthey two honored/worshipped

शुभेO auspicious ones

Speaker

वैशम्पायन उवाच

Characters & Entities

Vaiśampāyana

Vicitravīrya

the two queens (Ambikā and Ambālikā, implied by context)

Character Dynamics

Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)

War Context

Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)

Philosophical Teaching

Political Layer

Geographic Context

Meter (Chandas)

Sandhi Notes

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights acceptance and gratitude within the marital order: when a relationship is seen as appropriately matched, the ethical response is respectful service and honoring one’s spouse, aligning with gṛhastha-dharma (householder duty).

What is happening in the narrative?

After their marriage, the two queens feel satisfied that they have obtained a husband suited to them, and they begin to attend upon Vicitravīrya with devoted service and honor.