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 ||
“因此你当知我已全然满足，噢，婆利古族中之翘楚。噢，婆利古家族之荣饰——若你能成为十六岁的少年，我便将我那尚为处女的女儿许配于你为妻；因为除她之外，别无女子能承受你苦行威力所放之光辉。”
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.