Shloka 39
Dāyavibhāga (Inheritance Apportionment) and Household Precedence — Dialogue of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīṣma
गृहीतपाणिरेका5<सीत् _प्राप्तशुल्का पराभवत् | कन्या गृहीता तत्रैव विसर्ज्या इति मे पिता
gṛhītapāṇir ekā āsīt prāptaśulkā parābhavat | kanyā gṛhītā tatraiva visarjyā iti me pitā |
Wika ni Bhīṣma: “Sa mga dalaga, ang isa ay naibigay na ang kanyang kamay—sa kanyang puso’y tinanggap na niya si Śalva bilang asawa. Sa iba pang dalaga(ga), natanggap na ng hari ng Kāśī ang dote o bayad-pangkasal. Kaya ang nakatatanda sa aming angkan ay nagpahayag doon mismo: ‘Palayain dito at ngayon ang dalagang naibigay na ang kamay; at ang iba pang dalaga(ga) na bayad lamang ang natanggap ay ipakasal.’ Ngunit nag-alinlangan ako sa pahayag na iyon, kaya nagtanong din ako sa iba tungkol sa nararapat na gawin.”
भीष्य उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharma as a careful weighing of competing marital claims: a prior personal commitment (pāṇigrahaṇa/accepted husband) can override later force or arrangement, while a mere financial transaction (śulka received) creates a different kind of obligation. Bhishma also models ethical caution by seeking clarification when unsure.
After the Kāśī princesses are brought to the Kuru side, it is disclosed that Ambā has already mentally/ritually accepted Śālva. The family elder rules that she should be released, while the others—whose marriage arrangements are tied to the received śulka—should proceed to marriage. Bhishma admits doubt and consults others about the correct dharma.