Shloka 49
Dāyavibhāga (Inheritance Apportionment) and Household Precedence — Dialogue of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīṣma
पाणिग्रहीता वान्य: स्यादत्र नो धर्मसंशय: । तन्नश्छिन्धि महाप्राज्ञ त्वं हि वै प्राज्ञसम्मत:,इस विषयमें पहलेके लोगोंने सत्यवानसे पूछा था कि “महाप्राज्ञ! यदि कन्याका शुल्क देनेके पश्चात् शुल्क देनेवालेकी मृत्यु हो जाय तो उसका पाणिग्रहण दूसरा कोई कर सकता है या नहीं? इसमें हमें धर्मविषयक संदेह हो गया है। आप इसका निवारण कीजिये; क्योंकि आप ज्ञानी पुरुषोंद्वारा सम्मानित हैं
pāṇigrahītā vānyaḥ syād atra no dharma-saṁśayaḥ | tan naś chindhi mahāprājña tvaṁ hi vai prājña-sammataḥ ||
Bhīṣma said: “In this matter we are in doubt about dharma: can another man become the ‘hand-taker’ (lawful husband) if the one who had secured the bride dies? O greatly wise one, remove this uncertainty for us, for you are acknowledged and honored by the learned.”
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-question: when customary arrangements (such as securing a bride) are disrupted by death, one must seek authoritative guidance to determine what is righteous and socially valid—especially regarding who may lawfully perform pāṇigraha (the marriage hand-taking).
Bhīṣma presents a case of legal-ethical uncertainty about marriage: whether, after the intended bridegroom (who had secured the bride) dies, another man may take her hand in marriage. He asks a recognized authority to resolve the doubt.