Shloka 9
Śrāddha-dvija-parīkṣā: Paṅkti-dūṣa and Paṅkti-pāvana (श्राद्धे द्विजपरीक्षा—पङ्क्तिदूष-पङ्क्तिपावन)
पितृनर्च्य प्रतिपदि प्राप्तुयात् सुगृहे स्त्रियः । अभिरूपप्रजायिन्यो दर्शनीया बहुप्रजा:
pitṝn arcya pratipadi prāptuyāt su-gṛhe striyaḥ | abhirūpa-prajāyinyo darśanīyā bahu-prajāḥ ||
Bhīṣma dijo: «Habiendo venerado debidamente a los Pitṛs (espíritus ancestrales) en cada rito y ocasión, uno obtendrá esposas de buenos linajes: mujeres de grata figura, capaces de engendrar digna descendencia, hermosas a la vista y bendecidas con muchos hijos».
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhīṣma links household prosperity and continuity of lineage to two duties: honoring the ancestors through proper rites, and choosing a spouse from a reputable family who can sustain the household and produce offspring—framing marriage as a dharmic responsibility rather than mere personal preference.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction on dharma, Bhīṣma continues advising Yudhiṣṭhira on household conduct. Here he recommends regular Pitṛ-worship and counsels on the qualities sought in a wife for a stable, dharmic household and continuation of the family line.