Shloka 57
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
यथा दुहितरश्वैव परिगृह ययौ कुरून् । आनिन््ये स महाबाहुर्भ्रातु: प्रियचिकीर्षया,धर्मात्मा गंगानन्दन भीष्म काशिराजकी कन्याओंको पुत्रवधू, छोटी बहिन एवं पुत्रीकी भाँति साथ रखकर कुरुदेशमें ले आये। वे महाबाहु अपने भाई विचित्रवीर्यका प्रिय करनेकी इच्छासे उन सबको लाये थे
yathā duhitaraś caiva parigṛhya yayau kurūn | āninye sa mahābāhur bhrātuḥ priyacikīrṣayā || dharmātmā gaṅgānandano bhīṣmaḥ kāśirājasya kanyāḥ putravadhuṃ kanyāṃ caiva yathā svasāṃ sutāṃ tathā | saha nītvā kurudeśaṃ prāpya vicitravīryasya priyam icchan ||
Dijo Vaiśaṃpāyana: Habiendo tomado consigo a las princesas como si fueran hijas, se encaminó a la tierra de los Kurus. Aquel Bhīṣma de brazos poderosos—justo y gloria del río Gaṅgā—llevó a Kurudeśa a las hijas del rey de Kāśī, cuidándolas con el miramiento debido a una nuera, a una hermana menor y a una hija. Lo hizo por deseo de cumplir lo que era grato a su hermano Vicitravīrya: asegurar una alianza matrimonial legítima y la continuidad de la estirpe Kuru.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as responsible guardianship and dynastic duty: Bhīṣma acts not for personal gain but to secure a lawful alliance for his brother and to protect the princesses under his care, framing power as service to family and kingdom.
After taking the daughters of the king of Kāśī, Bhīṣma travels to the Kuru realm and brings them to Hastināpura/Kurudeśa, intending to arrange their marriage for his brother Vicitravīrya and thereby strengthen the Kuru succession.