Shloka 8
Ādi Parva, Adhyāya 113 — Maryādā-sthāpana (Śvetaketu’s Boundary) and the Niyoga Deliberation of Pāṇḍu and Kuntī
तमेवंवादिनं भीष्म॑ प्रत्यभाषत मद्रप: । न हि मे<न्यो वरस्त्वत्त: श्रेयानिति मतिर्मम,भीष्मजीके यों कहनेपर मद्रराजने उत्तर दिया--'मेरा विश्वास है कि आपलोगोंसे श्रेष्ठ वर मुझे दूँढ़नेसे भी नहीं मिलेगा”
tam evaṁ-vādinaṁ bhīṣmaṁ pratyabhāṣata mādrarāṭ | na hi me 'nyo varas tvattaḥ śreyān iti matir mama ||
Sinabi ni Vaiśampāyana: Nang marinig ang gayong pananalita ni Bhīṣma, sumagot ang hari ng Madra: “Para sa akin, wala nang hihigit pang lalaking mapapangasawa kaysa sa iyo; iyan ang aking matibay na paniniwala.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical discernment in choosing a worthy person: true superiority is measured by character and merit, leading the king to affirm Bhīṣma as the best possible choice.
After Bhīṣma speaks, the king of Madra responds directly, declaring that he considers no other suitor superior to Bhīṣma, thereby expressing firm approval and trust in him.