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 ||
ビーシュマは言った。「娘は、最もすぐれ相応しい婿が見いだされるところへ嫁がせるべきであり、これに背く思案を心に起こしてはならぬ。花嫁代や他の対価を申し出た者が生きていようとも、徳ある人々は、ふさわしい婿が得られるならその者に娘を嫁がせる。ましてその者が死んだ後に、他へ嫁がせることに疑いはまったくない。」
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.