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 |
Nārada berkata: “Mātali patut dihormati—oleh dia, dan olehmu juga. Sebab Mātali sendiri telah berangkat, siap melaksanakan kanyā-dāna (penyerahan putri dalam pernikahan). Karena itu, tunjukkanlah kepadanya penghormatan yang semestinya.”
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.