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 ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Seorang anak perempuan hendaklah dikahwinkan di tempat ditemui bakal suami yang unggul dan sesuai; janganlah menaruh pertimbangan yang bertentangan. Walaupun orang yang menawarkan bayaran pengantin atau balasan lain itu masih hidup, orang yang mulia tetap mengahwinkan gadis itu dengan lelaki yang layak apabila dia ada; dan jika orang itu telah mati, maka menyerahkannya kepada pihak lain tidaklah menimbulkan sebarang keraguan.”
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.