Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 1226

ज्येष्ठ-कनिष्ठ-धर्मः — Duties of Elders and Juniors

Anuśāsana-parva 108

Devanagari script

वयःस्थां च महाप्राज्ञ: कन्यामावोदुम्ति । जो श्रेष्ठ कुलमें उत्पन्न हुई हो

Transliteration

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 ||

Translation

毗湿摩教诲：真正有智慧的人，应当寻求一位已至适婚之龄的少女——出自良族，因德性与吉相而受称誉——并迎娶此等淑女。其义在于择偶须重成熟、品行与责任，使家室生活得以依于法（dharma）而行。

Word by Word

• वयःस्थाम्: of marriageable age
• वयःस्थाम्: Karma
• Type: Adjective
• Root: वयःस्था
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• महाप्राज्ञः: very wise (man)
• महाप्राज्ञः: Karta
• Type: Adjective
• Root: महाप्राज्ञ
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Singular

• कन्याम्: a maiden/daughter
• कन्याम्: Karma
• Type: Noun
• Root: कन्या
• Form: Feminine, Accusative, Singular

• आवोदुम्: to speak/utter (as written; likely corrupt)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद्
• Form: Tumun (infinitive), Parasmaipada (by root)

• इति: thus
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhishma

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

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.

What is happening in the narrative?

In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma continues instructing Yudhishthira on dharma; here he gives guidance on proper criteria for marriage, emphasizing maturity, character, and suitability.