Shloka 22
Uttaṅka’s Petition for Madayantī’s Divine Earrings (Maṇikuṇḍala) — Agreement, Proof, and Vigilance
इत्थं च परितुष्टं मां विजानीहि भृगूद्वह । युवा षोडशवर्षो हि यद्यद्य भविता भवान्
itthaṃ ca parituṣṭaṃ māṃ vijānīhi bhṛgūdvaha | yuvā ṣoḍaśavarṣo hi yadyad bhavitā bhavān bhṛgukulabhūṣaṇa ||
「かくして、私はまことに満ち足りていると知れ、ブリグ族の最勝者よ。ブリグの家の飾りよ——もしそなたが十六歳の若者となるなら、私は処女なる我が娘を妻としてそなたに与えよう。彼女をおいて他の女は、そなたの苦行の威光の輝きを耐え忍ぶことができぬからだ。」
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical idea of suitability (yogyatā) in marriage: extraordinary spiritual power (tejas born of tapas) requires a partner capable of bearing that intensity. It also frames marriage as a dharmic offering made only after the elder is fully satisfied with the ascetic’s conduct.
Gautama addresses a Bhṛgu-descended ascetic, declaring himself completely pleased. He then states that if the ascetic were of youthful age (sixteen), he would give his maiden daughter in marriage, because no other woman could endure the ascetic’s radiance.