Shloka 51
Dāyavibhāga (Inheritance Apportionment) and Household Precedence — Dialogue of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīṣma
यत्रेष्ट तत्र देया स्याज्नात्र कार्या विचारणा । कुर्वते जीवतो<प्येवं मृते नैवास्ति संशय:
yatreṣṭa tatra deyā syāj jñātrā kāryā vicāraṇā | kurvate jīvato 'py evaṁ mṛte naivāsti saṁśayaḥ ||
Di mana pun ditemukan mempelai pria yang unggul dan layak, di sanalah seorang putri patut dinikahkan; jangan menimbang-nimbang yang berlawanan. Bahkan bila pemberi śulka masih hidup, orang-orang terhormat akan menikahkan gadis itu dengan pria yang pantas ketika ia tersedia; dan bila orang itu telah wafat, maka menyerahkannya kepada yang lain sama sekali tidak menyisakan keraguan.
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
Guardians should prioritize the girl’s welfare and dharmic suitability of the groom: when a worthy match is available, the marriage should be concluded without being bound by contrary considerations such as prior claims or payments.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (especially household and social duties), he gives a practical rule about arranging a daughter’s marriage: choose the best eligible groom available, and do not hesitate even if someone else has offered consideration; if that person has died, the permissibility is even clearer.