Shloka 1226
वयःस्थां च महाप्राज्ञ: कन्यामावोदुम्ति । जो श्रेष्ठ कुलमें उत्पन्न हुई हो, उत्तम लक्षणोंसे प्रशंसित हो तथा विवाहके योग्य अवस्थाको प्राप्त हो गयी हो, ऐसी सुलक्षणा कन्याके साथ श्रेष्ठ बुद्धिमान् पुरुष विवाह करे
vayaḥsthāṃ ca mahāprājñaḥ kanyām āvodum icchati | yo śreṣṭha-kule utpannā bhavet uttama-lakṣaṇaiḥ praśaṃsitā ca vivāha-yogyām avasthāṃ prāptā | tādṛśīṃ sulakṣaṇāṃ kanyāṃ saha śreṣṭha-buddhimān puruṣo vivāhayet ||
Bhīṣma teaches that a truly wise man should seek a maiden who has reached the proper age for marriage—one born in a reputable family, praised for excellent qualities and auspicious marks—and should marry such a well-endowed girl. The ethical emphasis is on choosing a spouse with maturity, good character, and social responsibility, so that household life may proceed in accordance with dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A wise man should marry a maiden who is mature and marriage-eligible, praised for good qualities and auspicious traits, and born in a reputable family—so that the household stage is established on dharma and responsible choice.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma continues instructing Yudhishthira on dharma; here he gives guidance on proper criteria for marriage, emphasizing maturity, character, and suitability.