Shloka 5
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 113 — Maryādā-sthāpana (Śvetaketu’s Boundary) and the Niyoga Deliberation of Pāṇḍu and Kuntī
त॑ भीष्म: प्रत्युवाचेदं मद्रराजं कुरूद्गह: । आगतं मां विजानीहि कन्यार्थिनमरिन्दम,तब कुरुकुलका भार वहन करनेवाले भीष्मजीने मद्रराजसे इस प्रकार कहा --“शत्रुदमन! तुम मुझे कनन््याके लिये आया हुआ समझो
taṁ bhīṣmaḥ pratyuvācedaṁ madrarājaṁ kurūdgahaḥ | āgataṁ māṁ vijānīhi kanyārthinamarindama ||
Então Bhīṣma, o mais eminente dos Kurus, respondeu ao rei de Madra: “Ó subjugador de inimigos, sabe que vim em busca de uma donzela para casamento.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic clarity and propriety in intent: a powerful figure like Bhīṣma openly declares his purpose as a lawful suitor, emphasizing straightforward speech and adherence to accepted social-royal norms in matters of alliance and marriage.
Bhīṣma addresses the king of Madra and states that he has come as a seeker of a maiden for marriage—setting the stage for negotiations (and, in the broader episode, the contest over the Madra princesses).