Shloka 74
Āṇīmāṇḍavya–Upākhyāna
The Account of Āṇīmāṇḍavya and the Birth of Vidura
तस्मै स कुरुमुख्याय यथावत् परिपृच्छते । वरं शशंस कन्यां तामुद्दिश्य भरतर्षभ,भरतश्रेष्ठ! कुरुवंशके श्रेष्ठ पुरुष देवव्रतके भलीभाँति पूछनेपर वृद्ध मन्त्रीने बताया कि महाराज एक कन्यासे विवाह करना चाहते हैं
tasmai sa kurumukhyāya yathāvat paripṛcchate | varaṁ śaśaṁsa kanyāṁ tām uddiśya bharatarṣabha ||
Dijo Vaiśampāyana: Cuando aquel, el más eminente de los Kurus, le interrogó debidamente y en el orden debido, el anciano ministro reveló la merced deseada, aludiendo a la doncella que el rey anhelaba tomar por esposa, oh toro entre los Bhāratas.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes proper procedure and ethical decorum in royal decision-making: a senior counselor speaks only after being questioned in the right manner, and sensitive matters like marriage alliances are communicated with restraint and clarity.
A leading Kuru figure (contextually Devavrata) questions an aged minister about the king’s intention; in response, the minister reveals the ‘boon’ or desired plan—specifically, the king’s wish to marry a particular maiden.