Shloka 17
Ruru’s Lament and the Lifespan Exchange for Pramadvarā (रुरु–प्रमद्वरा आयुर्विभागः)
एतद् दृष्टं भविष्ये हि रुरोरुत्तमतेजस: । आयुषो&तिप्रवृद्धस्य भार्यार्थेडर्थधमलुप्पत,उत्तम तेजस्वी रुरुके भाग्यमें ऐसी बात देखी गयी थी। उनकी आयु बहुत बढ़ी-चढ़ी थी। जब उन्होंने भायके लिये अपनी आधी आयु दे दी, तब दोनोंके पिताओंने निश्चित दिनमें प्रसन्नतापूर्वक उनका विवाह कर दिया। वे दोनों दम्पति एक-दूसरेके हितैषी होकर आनन्दपूर्वक रहने लगे
etad dṛṣṭaṃ bhaviṣye hi ruror uttama-tejasaḥ | āyuṣo 'tipravṛddhasya bhāryārthe 'rdhaṃ dadau tadā ||
Dharmarāja said: “This had indeed been foreseen in the future in the case of Ruru, a man of excellent splendor. Though his lifespan was very great, for the sake of obtaining a wife he then gave away half of his life. Thereafter, on an auspiciously fixed day, both their fathers joyfully arranged their marriage; and the two, devoted to each other’s welfare, lived together in happiness.”
धर्मराज उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights the ethical weight of commitment in marriage: Ruru’s willingness to surrender half his lifespan for the sake of his wife exemplifies self-sacrifice and steadfast responsibility, while the resulting harmonious household life is presented as a dharmic ideal grounded in mutual goodwill.
Dharmarāja recounts that Ruru—though destined for a long life—gave away half of it to secure his marriage. After this act, the fathers of the couple arranged the wedding on a fixed auspicious day, and the couple lived happily, each seeking the other’s good.