Shloka 1226

ज्येष्ठ-कनिष्ठ-धर्मः — Duties of Elders and Juniors

Anuśāsana-parva 108

Devanagari script

वयःस्थां च महाप्राज्ञ: कन्यामावोदुम्ति । जो श्रेष्ठ कुलमें उत्पन्न हुई हो

Transliteration

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 ||

Translation

Bhīṣma enseigne qu’un homme véritablement sage doit rechercher une jeune fille parvenue à l’âge convenable pour le mariage—née dans une lignée honorable, louée pour ses qualités éminentes et ses marques de bon augure—et l’épouser. L’accent moral porte sur le choix d’une épouse mûre, de bon caractère et consciente de ses devoirs, afin que la vie domestique se déroule selon le dharma.

Word by Word

• वयःस्थाम्: of marriageable age
• वयःस्थाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वयःस्था
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• महाप्राज्ञः: very wise (man)
• महाप्राज्ञः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाप्राज्ञ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कन्याम्: a maiden/daughter
• कन्याम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• आवोदुम्: to speak/utter (as written; likely corrupt)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद्
• Form: Tumun (infinitive), Parasmaipada (by root)

• इति: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma continues instructing Yudhishthira on dharma; here he gives guidance on proper criteria for marriage, emphasizing maturity, character, and suitability.