Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 1243
ज्येष्ठ-कनिष्ठ-धर्मः — Duties of Elders and Juniors
Anuśāsana-parva 108
पुत्रा निवेश्याश्व कुलाद् भृत्या लभ्याश्व भारत । भरतनन्दन! यदि कन्या उत्पन्न करे तो बुद्धिमान् एवं कुलीन वरके साथ उसका ब्याह कर दे। पुत्रका विवाह भी उत्तम कुलकी कन्याके साथ करे और भृत्य भी उत्तम कुलके मनुष्योंको ही बनावे
bhīṣma uvāca | putrān niveśyāśva kulād bhṛtyā labhyāśva bhārata | bharatanandana! yadi kanyā utpannaṃ kare to buddhimān evaṃ kulīna varake sārdhaṃ tasyā vivāhaṃ kuryāt | putrasya vivāham api uttama-kulasya kanyayā saha kuryāt, bhṛtyān api uttama-kulānāṃ manuṣyān eva kuryāt |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “O Bharata, itatag mo nang wasto ang iyong mga anak na lalaki at kumuha ng tapat na mga lingkod mula sa mabubuting angkan. O ligaya ng mga Bharata, kung may isisilang na anak na babae, ang marunong ay dapat ipakasal siya sa lalaking matalino at marangal ang pinagmulan. Ang anak na lalaki man ay ipakasal sa dalagang mula sa mainam na lahi; at sa pagpili ng mga lingkod, piliin lamang ang mga taong mula sa kagalang-galang na pamilya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma teaches household ethics: a ruler/householder should secure the family’s stability by arranging marriages with worthy, well-born and capable partners, and by choosing dependable retainers from reputable backgrounds—actions framed as prudent dharma and social responsibility.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on practical dharma. Here he gives guidance on managing family affairs—settling sons, arranging a daughter’s and son’s marriages appropriately, and selecting suitable servants/retainers.