Shloka 21
Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
तामग्निश्चकमे साक्षाद् राजकन्यां सुदर्शनाम् । भूत्वा च ब्राह्मणो राजन् वरयामास तं नृपम्,राजन! राजकन्या सुदर्शनापर साक्षात् अग्निदेव आसक्त हो गये और उन्होंने ब्राह्मणका रूप धारण करके राजासे उस कन्याको माँगा
tām agniś cakame sākṣād rājakaṇyāṃ sudarśanām | bhūtvā ca brāhmaṇo rājan varayāmāsa taṃ nṛpam ||
Bhishma said: “Agni himself became enamored of the princess Sudarśanā. O King, assuming the guise of a brāhmaṇa, he approached that ruler and formally sought the maiden in marriage. The episode underscores how desire can move even a deity, yet the pursuit is framed through socially sanctioned procedure—approach, request, and consent—highlighting the ethical weight of rightful means in matters of marriage.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even when powerful desire arises, dharma emphasizes pursuing aims through legitimate, socially and ethically sanctioned means—here, a formal request for marriage rather than coercion.
Agni becomes attracted to the princess Sudarśanā, takes on the appearance of a brāhmaṇa, and approaches her father (the king) to ask for her hand in marriage.