Shloka 12
पाण्डोः प्रव्रज्या-व्रतवर्णनम् | Pāṇḍu’s Resolve for Renunciation and Forest Discipline
कुलं॑ ख्यातिं च वृत्तं च बुद्धया तु प्रसमीक्ष्य सः । ददौ तां धृतराष्ट्राय गान्धारीं धर्मचारिणीम्,परंतु उनके कुल, प्रसिद्धि और आचार आदिके विषयमें बुद्धिपूर्वक विचार करके उसने धर्मपरायणा गान्धारीका धृतराष्ट्रके लिये वाग्दान कर दिया
kulaṁ khyātiṁ ca vṛttaṁ ca buddhayā tu prasmīkṣya saḥ | dadau tāṁ dhṛtarāṣṭrāya gāndhārīṁ dharmacāriṇīm ||
Nachdem er mit Bedacht Herkunft, Ruf und Lebenswandel geprüft hatte, gab er Gāndhārī, die in Dharma standhaft war, Dhṛtarāṣṭra zur Ehe.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights prudent ethical decision-making: before forming a major social bond like marriage, one should examine lineage, public reputation, and—most importantly—personal conduct, aligning the choice with dharma.
In Vaiśampāyana’s narration, Gandhārī is formally bestowed in marriage to Dhṛtarāṣṭra after careful consideration of the relevant qualities and standing, framing the union as a dharma-oriented royal alliance.