Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 9
कुशनाभकन्याशतविवाहः — The Marriage of Kuśanābha’s Hundred Daughters
and the Birth of Brahmadatta
विसृज्य कन्या: काकुत्स्थ राजा त्रिदशविक्रम:।।1.33.9।।मन्त्रज्ञो मन्त्रयामास प्रदानं सह मन्त्रिभि:। देशकालौ प्रदानस्य सदृशे प्रतिपादनम्।।1.33.10।।
visṛjya kanyāḥ kākutstha rājā tridaśavikramaḥ | mantrajño mantrayāmāsa pradānaṁ saha mantribhiḥ | deśakālāu pradānasya sadṛśe pratipādanam || 1.33.9–10 ||
O Kakutstha, after dismissing his daughters, the king—whose prowess rivaled that of the gods and who was skilled in counsel—consulted with his ministers about giving the maidens in marriage: the proper place and time for the gift, and a suitable match.
"O Rama! after sending away his daughters, the king endowed with the power of the celestials and well-versed in the art of counselling, consulted his ministers about a suitable person for marriage of his daughters at proper time and place.
FAQs
Rājadharma requires deliberation and due process: decisions affecting many lives (marriage alliances, social stability) should be made with counsel, and with attention to proper time, place, and suitability.
After praising the daughters’ virtue, the king turns to practical governance—arranging their marriages through ministerial consultation.
Prudence and responsible leadership—seeking counsel and aligning action with dharmic propriety.