Shloka 22
Uttaṅka’s Petition for Madayantī’s Divine Earrings (Maṇikuṇḍala) — Agreement, Proof, and Vigilance
इत्थं च परितुष्टं मां विजानीहि भृगूद्वह । युवा षोडशवर्षो हि यद्यद्य भविता भवान्
itthaṃ ca parituṣṭaṃ māṃ vijānīhi bhṛgūdvaha | yuvā ṣoḍaśavarṣo hi yadyad bhavitā bhavān bhṛgukulabhūṣaṇa ||
“Kaya’t alamin mong lubos akong nasiyahan, O pinakadakila sa angkan ng Bhṛgu. O hiyas ng lahing Bhṛgu—kung ikaw ay magiging binatang labing-anim na taon, iaaalay ko sa iyo ang aking dalagang anak bilang asawa; sapagkat bukod sa kanya, walang ibang babae ang makatitindig sa ningning ng iyong kapangyarihang ascetiko.”
गौतम उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical idea of suitability (yogyatā) in marriage: extraordinary spiritual power (tejas born of tapas) requires a partner capable of bearing that intensity. It also frames marriage as a dharmic offering made only after the elder is fully satisfied with the ascetic’s conduct.
Gautama addresses a Bhṛgu-descended ascetic, declaring himself completely pleased. He then states that if the ascetic were of youthful age (sixteen), he would give his maiden daughter in marriage, because no other woman could endure the ascetic’s radiance.