Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 1226
ज्येष्ठ-कनिष्ठ-धर्मः — Duties of Elders and Juniors
Anuśāsana-parva 108
वयःस्थां च महाप्राज्ञ: कन्यामावोदुम्ति । जो श्रेष्ठ कुलमें उत्पन्न हुई हो
vayaḥsthāṃ ca mahāprājñaḥ kanyām āvodum icchati | yo śreṣṭha-kule utpannā bhavet uttama-lakṣaṇaiḥ praśaṃsitā ca vivāha-yogyām avasthāṃ prāptā | tādṛśīṃ sulakṣaṇāṃ kanyāṃ saha śreṣṭha-buddhimān puruṣo vivāhayet ||
Itinuro ni Bhīṣma na ang tunay na marunong ay dapat humanap ng dalagang nasa wastong gulang para sa pag-aasawa—isinilang sa marangal na angkan, pinupuri sa mabubuting katangian at mapalad na palatandaan—at pakasalan ang gayong dalagang pinagpala. Ang diwa ng aral: pumili ng kabiyak na may hinog na pag-iisip, mabuting asal, at pananagutang panlipunan, upang ang buhay-sambahayan ay umayon sa dharma.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
A wise man should marry a maiden who is mature and marriage-eligible, praised for good qualities and auspicious traits, and born in a reputable family—so that the household stage is established on dharma and responsible choice.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma continues instructing Yudhishthira on dharma; here he gives guidance on proper criteria for marriage, emphasizing maturity, character, and suitability.