Shloka 9
अम्बायाः तपोदीक्षा–रुद्रवर–आत्मदाहः
Amba’s Ascetic Vow, Rudra’s Boon, and Self-Immolation
ततो राजा द्रुपदो राजसिंह: सर्वान् राज्ञ कुलत: संनिशाम्य । दाशार्णकस्य नृपतेस्तनूजां शिखण्डिने वरयामास दारान्,तदनन्तर राजाओंमें श्रेष्ठ द्रपदने समस्त राजाओंके कुल आदिका परिचय सुनकर दशार्णराजकी ही पुत्रीका शिखण्डीके लिये वरण किया
tato rājā drupado rājasiṁhaḥ sarvān rājñaḥ kulataḥ saṁniśāmya | dāśārṇakasya nṛpates tanūjāṁ śikhaṇḍine varayāmāsa dārān ||
Puis le roi Drupada, lion parmi les rois, après s’être assuré de la lignée et du rang de tous les souverains, choisit pour épouse de Śikhaṇḍin la fille du roi de Daśārṇa.
दुपद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a kṣatriya-king’s dharma in arranging marriages: alliances must be made after careful scrutiny of lineage and suitability, because such unions affect social order, political stability, and the ethical responsibilities of ruling families.
Drupada reviews the family backgrounds of the assembled kings and, after assessing them, selects the Daśārṇa king’s daughter as the bride for Śikhaṇḍin, formalizing a politically and socially appropriate marriage alliance.