Shloka 116
Udyoga Parva Adhyāya 103: Garuḍa’s Protest, Viṣṇu’s Demonstration, and Counsel Toward Śama
मातलिस्तस्य सम्मान कर्तुमहों भवानपि । ये मातलि स्वयं चलकर कन्यादान करनेको उद्यत हैं। आपको भी इनका सम्मान करना चाहिये
Mātalis tasya sammānaṁ kartum aho bhavān api | ye Mātali svayaṁ calitvā kanyādānaṁ kartum udyatāḥ | āpako 'pi inka sammāna karnā cāhiye |
Dijo Nārada: “Mātali merece ser honrado por él—y también por ti. Pues Mātali mismo se ha puesto en camino, dispuesto a realizar el don de la doncella en matrimonio. Por tanto, tú también debes mostrarle el debido respeto.”
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes dharmic conduct: one should honor worthy persons—especially those undertaking sacred social duties like arranging or performing kanyādāna—because respect sustains moral order and proper relationships.
Nārada advises the listener to show proper honor to Mātali, noting that Mātali has personally come forward, prepared to carry out the formal act of giving a maiden in marriage, and thus merits respectful reception.