Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 1226
ज्येष्ठ-कनिष्ठ-धर्मः — Duties of Elders and Juniors
Anuśāsana-parva 108
वयःस्थां च महाप्राज्ञ: कन्यामावोदुम्ति । जो श्रेष्ठ कुलमें उत्पन्न हुई हो
vayaḥsthāṃ ca mahāprājñaḥ kanyām āvodum icchati | yo śreṣṭha-kule utpannā bhavet uttama-lakṣaṇaiḥ praśaṃsitā ca vivāha-yogyām avasthāṃ prāptā | tādṛśīṃ sulakṣaṇāṃ kanyāṃ saha śreṣṭha-buddhimān puruṣo vivāhayet ||
Bhīṣma enseña que un hombre verdaderamente sabio debe buscar una doncella que haya alcanzado la edad adecuada para el matrimonio—nacida en un linaje respetable, alabada por sus excelentes cualidades y por sus signos auspiciosos—y desposarla. El acento ético recae en elegir una compañera madura, de buen carácter y con sentido de responsabilidad, para que la vida del hogar transcurra conforme al dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A wise man should marry a maiden who is mature and marriage-eligible, praised for good qualities and auspicious traits, and born in a reputable family—so that the household stage is established on dharma and responsible choice.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma continues instructing Yudhishthira on dharma; here he gives guidance on proper criteria for marriage, emphasizing maturity, character, and suitability.