Dāyavibhāga (Inheritance Apportionment) and Household Precedence — Dialogue of Yudhiṣṭhira and Bhīṣma
यत्रेष्ट तत्र देया स्याज्नात्र कार्या विचारणा । कुर्वते जीवतो<प्येवं मृते नैवास्ति संशय:
yatreṣṭa tatra deyā syāj jñātrā kāryā vicāraṇā | kurvate jīvato 'py evaṁ mṛte naivāsti saṁśayaḥ ||
毗湿摩说:“女儿当嫁于所遇之最优良、最相称的夫婿处;不应怀抱相反的盘算。即便那位提出聘财或其他给付之人仍在世,端正之人也会在贤良之婿可得时,将少女嫁与其人;而若那人已死,则将她另嫁他处,更是毫无疑义。”
भीष्य उवाच
Guardians should prioritize the girl’s welfare and dharmic suitability of the groom: when a worthy match is available, the marriage should be concluded without being bound by contrary considerations such as prior claims or payments.
In Bhishma’s instruction on dharma (especially household and social duties), he gives a practical rule about arranging a daughter’s marriage: choose the best eligible groom available, and do not hesitate even if someone else has offered consideration; if that person has died, the permissibility is even clearer.