Kuntī’s Appeal for Progeny and the Vyuṣitāśva–Bhadrā Precedent (कुन्ती-पाण्डु संवादः; व्युषिताश्व-भद्रा आख्यानम्)
यथागतं समाजम्मुर्गजैरश्चै रथैस्तथा । ततस्तस्या: पिता राजन विवाहमकरोत् प्रभु:,कुन्तीने लजाते-लजाते राजा पाण्डुके गलेमें जयमाला डाल दी। सब राजाओंने जब सुना कि कुन्तीने महाराज पाण्डुका वरण कर लिया, तब वे हाथी, घोड़े एवं रथों आदि वाहनोंद्वारा जैसे आये थे, वैसे ही अपने अपने स्थानको लौट गये। राजन! तब उसके पिताने (पाण्डुके साथ शास्त्रविधिके अनुसार) कुन्तीका विवाह कर दिया
yathāgataṃ samājaṃ mṛgajair aśvaiś ca rathais tathā | tatas tasyāḥ pitā rājan vivāham akarot prabhuḥ ||
Disse Vaiśampāyana: “Assim como os reis reunidos haviam chegado —com suas peles de veado, cavalos e carros— assim também partiram de volta aos seus reinos ao ouvirem que Kuntī escolhera o rei Pāṇḍu. Então, ó rei, seu pai, investido da devida autoridade, solenizou o casamento de Kuntī com Pāṇḍu segundo os ritos prescritos.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse highlights dharma in social transitions: once a choice is made in a svayaṃvara, others accept the outcome without disorder, and the guardian completes the marriage through proper rites—showing restraint, respect for procedure, and legitimacy through śāstric norms.
After Kuntī has chosen Pāṇḍu, the assembled kings depart with their retinues and vehicles as they had arrived. Then Kuntī’s father formally performs the marriage ceremony, establishing the union according to accepted ritual law.