Shloka 19
Dāyavibhāga (Inheritance Apportionment) and Household Precedence — Dialogue of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīṣma
युधिछिर उवाच शुल्कमन्येन दत्तं स्याद् ददानीत्याह चापर: । बलादन्य: प्रभाषेत धनमन्य: प्रदर्शयेत्
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca— śulkam anyena dattaṃ syād dadānīty āha cāparaḥ | balād anyaḥ prabhāṣeta dhanam anyaḥ pradarśayet |
Dijo Yudhiṣṭhira: «Oh Abuelo, si un hombre ya ha pagado el precio de la novia, otro ha asegurado el enlace prometiendo: “Yo pagaré”, un tercero habla de llevarse a la muchacha por la fuerza, y otro más intenta ganar a sus parientes exhibiendo mayor riqueza—mientras un quinto ya ha realizado el rito de tomarle la mano en matrimonio—¿de quién, según el dharma, debe considerarse esposa esa doncella? Deseamos conocer el verdadero principio en este asunto. Sé nuestros ojos y nuestro guía».
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a dharma-legal problem: when multiple men assert competing claims over a maiden through payment, promise, wealth inducement, coercion, or completed ritual, which claim is valid. It invites a principled hierarchy of legitimacy—privileging lawful procedure and completed sacramental acts over mere promises, bribery, or force.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Yudhiṣṭhira consults Bhīṣma on subtle points of conduct. Here he presents a complex marriage dispute with several claimants and asks Bhīṣma to determine, according to dharma, who should be regarded as the rightful husband.