Shloka 12
Vidurovācā: Śreyas, Mantra, and Conciliation toward the Pāṇḍavas (विदुरोवाच—श्रेयः-मन्त्र-समाधानम्)
प्रदक्षिणं तौ प्रगृहीतपाणी समानयामास स वेदपारग: । ततो<भ्यनुज्ञाय तमाजिशोभिनं पुरोहितो राजगृहाद् विनिर्यया,वेदोंके परिपूर्ण विद्वान् पुरोहितने उन दोनों दम्पतिका पाणिग्रहण कराकर उनसे अग्निकी परिक्रमा करवायी, फिर (अन्य शास्त्रोक्त विधियोंका अनुष्ठान करके) उनका विवाहकार्य सम्पन्न कर दिया। इसके बाद संग्राममें शोभा पानेवाले युधिष्ठिरको छुट्टी देकर पुरोहितजी भी उस राजभवनसे बाहर चले गये
pradakṣiṇaṃ tau pragṛhītapāṇī samānayāmāsa sa vedapāragaḥ | tato 'bhyanujñāya tam ājiśobhinam purohito rājagṛhād viniryayau ||
Vaiśampāyana said: The learned priest, well-versed in the Vedas, led the two—whose hands had been joined in the marriage rite—around the sacred fire in circumambulation. Then, having formally granted leave to that warrior who shone in battle, the priest departed from the royal residence.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as lived practice: major life transitions (like marriage) are completed through Vedic rites under a qualified priest, and even powerful figures act within norms of permission and propriety, showing that authority and valor are subordinated to ritual and social order.
A Veda-knowing royal priest completes the wedding by leading the couple—after hand-taking—around the sacred fire. Afterward, he formally grants leave to a battle-renowned warrior (identified as Yudhiṣṭhira in the Hindi gloss) and then exits the royal residence.