Mahabharata 1.103.19 — Adi Parva, Adhyaya 103, Shloka 19
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 103 — Dhṛtarāṣṭra–Gāndhārī Vivāha: Proposal, Consent, and the Vow
सर्वा: कन्या: स कौरव्यो रथमारोप्य च स्वकम् | आमन्त्रय च स तान् प्रायाच्छीघ्रं कन्या: प्रगृह् ता:
sarvāḥ kanyāḥ sa kauravyo ratham āropya ca svakam | āmantṛya ca sa tān prāyāc chīghraṃ kanyāḥ pragṛhītāḥ ||
குருவீரன் பீஷ்மன் எல்லாக் கன்னியரையும் தன் தேரில் ஏற்றி, அந்த அரசர்களை நோக்கி அழைத்து சவால் செய்து, கன்னியரைத் தன் காவலில் வைத்துக் கொண்டு விரைவாகப் புறப்பட்டான்.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a dharmic dilemma: kṣatriya valor and political duty can clash with personal autonomy in marriage. Bhīṣma’s vow-driven commitment to the Kuru house motivates decisive action, yet the narrative invites reflection on the ethical boundaries of force, especially when women’s agency is at stake.
After confronting the assembled kings at the svayaṃvara, Bhīṣma places the Kāśī princesses on his chariot, challenges the kings, and departs swiftly with them—setting in motion the later crisis involving Amba and the consequences for the Kuru line.
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