Mahabharata 1.103.11 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 103, Shloka 11
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
भीष्मस्तदा स्वयं कन्या वरयामास ता: प्रभु: । उवाच च महीपालान् राजज्जलदनि:स्वन:
bhīṣmas tadā svayaṃ kanyā varayāmāsa tāḥ prabhuḥ | uvāca ca mahīpālān rājajjaladaniḥsvanaḥ ||
அப்போது வல்லமைமிக்க ஆண்டவனான பீஷ்மர் தாமே அந்தக் கன்னியரைத் தேர்ந்தெடுத்தார். மேலும் மேகமுழக்கம் போன்ற ஆழ்ந்த குரலில் அவர் அங்கிருந்த அரசர்களை நோக்கி உரைத்தார்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage juxtaposes socially sanctioned marriage-giving (brāhma, ārṣa) with a forceful kṣatriya-style assertion of claim, highlighting the ethical tension between dharma as orderly social rite and dharma as martial prerogative that can trigger violence.
Bhishma publicly claims the maidens and addresses the gathered kings in a thunderous voice, effectively challenging any rival claim and setting the stage for confrontation among the rulers.
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