Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 3
कुशनाभकन्याशतविवाहः — The Marriage of Kuśanābha’s Hundred Daughters
and the Birth of Brahmadatta
पितृमत्यस्स्म भद्रं ते स्वच्छन्दे न वयं स्थिता:।पितरं नो वृणीष्व त्वं यदि नो दास्यते तव।।1.33.3।।
pitṛmatyaḥ sma bhadraṁ te svacchande na vayaṁ sthitāḥ | pitaraṁ no vṛṇīṣva tvaṁ yadi no dāsyate tava || 1.33.3 ||
「私たちには父がおります――あなたに祝福あれ――ゆえに勝手に選ぶ自由はありません。父にお求めください。父が私たちをあなたにお与えになるなら、そのとおりになりましょう。」
We have our father who is dear to us. Hence we do not have freedom to choose. You may ask our father if he is willing to give us (in marriage).
FAQs
The verse highlights social-ethical dharma (maryādā) around marriage: the daughters assert that choice is not exercised independently but through the father’s lawful consent, reflecting the norm of guardianship and propriety.
Vāyu approaches and pressures the king’s daughters; they respond by refusing coercion and directing him to seek their father’s consent.
Self-restraint and adherence to propriety—maintaining dignity and lawful procedure even under pressure.