Shloka 1
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 113 — Maryādā-sthāpana (Śvetaketu’s Boundary) and the Niyoga Deliberation of Pāṇḍu and Kuntī
ऑपनआक्रात बछ। अंक द्ादर्शाधिकशततमो< ध्याय: माद्रीके साथ पाण्डुका विवाह तथा राजा पाण्डुकी दिग्विजय वैशम्पायन उवाच ततः शान्तनवो भीष्यमो राज्ञ: पाण्डोर्यशस्विन: । विवाहस्यापरस्यार्थे चकार मतिमान् मतिम्,वैशम्पायनजी कहते हैं-जनमेजय! तदनन्तर शान्तनुनन्दन परम बुद्धिमान् भीष्मजीने यशस्वी राजा पाण्डुके द्वितीय विवाहके लिये विचार किया
Vaiśampāyana uvāca: tataḥ Śāntanavo Bhīṣmo rājñaḥ Pāṇḍor yaśasvinaḥ | vivāhasyāparasya arthe cakāra matimān matim ||
Vaiśampāyana said: Then Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, wise and far-sighted, formed a deliberate plan to arrange a second marriage for the illustrious King Pāṇḍu. The narrative underscores responsible kingship and guardianship: elders act not for personal desire but to secure the continuity and stability of the royal line in accordance with dharma.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic stewardship: a wise elder (Bhīṣma) uses prudence to safeguard the kingdom and lineage, treating marriage as a duty tied to social order rather than mere personal preference.
After earlier events, Vaiśampāyana tells Janamejaya that Bhīṣma considers and initiates a plan for King Pāṇḍu’s second marriage, setting up the episode that leads to Mādrī’s marriage and the continuation of the Kuru line.