01.103
Core:Dhritarstra marries Gandhari
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
गुणैः समुदितं सम्यगिदं नः प्रथितं कुलम् । अत्यन्यान्पृथिवीपालान्पृथिव्यामधिराज्यभाक् ॥१-१०३-१॥
This lineage of ours, rightly endowed with virtues, has become renowned; it has surpassed other kings and enjoyed sovereignty over the earth.
रक्षितं राजभिः पूर्वैर्धर्मविद्भिर्महात्मभिः । नोत्सादमगमच्चेदं कदाचिदिह नः कुलम् ॥१-१०३-२॥
This lineage of ours, protected by great and righteous kings, has never suffered ruin at any time.
मया च सत्यवत्या च कृष्णेन च महात्मना । समवस्थापितं भूयो युष्मासु कुलतन्तुषु ॥१-१०३-३॥
By me, Satyavatī, and the great Vyāsa, this lineage was once again firmly established among you.
वर्धते तदिदं पुत्र कुलं सागरवद्यथा । तथा मया विधातव्यं त्वया चैव विशेषतः ॥१-१०३-४॥
This lineage, O son, grows like the ocean; therefore it must be preserved by me and especially by you.
श्रूयते यादवी कन्या अनुरूपा कुलस्य नः । सुबलस्यात्मजा चैव तथा मद्रेश्वरस्य च ॥१-१०३-५॥
A Yādava maiden is heard to be suitable for our lineage, as are the daughters of Subala and the king of Madra.
कुलीना रूपवत्यश्च नाथवत्यश्च सर्वशः । उचिताश्चैव सम्बन्धे तेऽस्माकं क्षत्रियर्षभाः ॥१-१०३-६॥
They are noble-born, beautiful, well-protected, and altogether fit for alliance, O best of Kṣatriyas.
मन्ये वरयितव्यास्ता इत्यहं धीमतां वर । सन्तानार्थं कुलस्यास्य यद्वा विदुर मन्यसे ॥१-१०३-७॥
I think they should be chosen, O wise Vidura, for the sake of continuing the lineage—or as you consider best.
विदुर उवाच॥
Vidura said.
भवान्पिता भवान्माता भवान्नः परमो गुरुः । तस्मात्स्वयं कुलस्यास्य विचार्य कुरु यद्धितम् ॥१-१०३-८॥
You are our father, mother, and supreme guide; therefore, do yourself what is best for this lineage after due consideration.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
अथ शुश्राव विप्रेभ्यो गान्धारीं सुबलात्मजाम् । आराध्य वरदं देवं भगनेत्रहरं हरम् ॥ गान्धारी किल पुत्राणां शतं लेभे वरं शुभा ॥१-१०३-९॥
He heard from brāhmaṇas that Gāndhārī, daughter of Subala, had obtained a boon from Śiva after worshiping him: the auspicious one would bear a hundred sons.
इति श्रुत्वा च तत्त्वेन भीष्मः कुरुपितामहः । ततो गान्धारराजस्य प्रेषयामास भारत ॥१-१०३-१०॥
Hearing this truth, Bhīṣma, the grandsire of the Kurus, sent a message to the king of Gāndhāra, O Bhārata.
अचक्षुरिति तत्रासीत्सुबलस्य विचारणा । कुलं ख्यातिं च वृत्तं च बुद्ध्या तु प्रसमीक्ष्य सः ॥ ददौ तां धृतराष्ट्राय गान्धारीं धर्मचारिणीम् ॥१-१०३-११॥
Though Dhṛtarāṣṭra was blind, Subala deliberated and, examining his lineage, fame, and conduct, gave his daughter Gāndhārī, a righteous woman, in marriage to him.
गान्धारी त्वपि शुश्राव धृतराष्ट्रमचक्षुषम् । आत्मानं दित्सितं चास्मै पित्रा मात्रा च भारत ॥१-१०३-१२॥
Gāndhārī also heard that Dhṛtarāṣṭra was blind and that she was being given to him by her father and mother, O Bhārata.
ततः सा पट्टमादाय कृत्वा बहुगुणं शुभा । बबन्ध नेत्रे स्वे राजन्पतिव्रतपरायणा ॥ नात्यश्नीयां पतिमहमित्येवं कृतनिश्चया ॥१-१०३-१३॥
Then the auspicious Gāndhārī, firmly devoted to her husband, took a many-folded cloth and bound her own eyes, declaring, “I shall not see more than my husband.”
ततो गान्धारराजस्य पुत्रः शकुनिरभ्ययात् । स्वसारं परया लक्ष्म्या युक्तामादाय कौरवान् ॥१-१०३-१४॥
Then Śakuni, son of the Gāndhāra king, came to the Kauravas, bringing his sister adorned with great beauty.
दत्त्वा स भगिनीं वीरो यथार्हं च परिच्छदम् । पुनरायात्स्वनगरं भीष्मेण प्रतिपूजितः ॥१-१०३-१५॥
Having given his sister with befitting dowry, the hero returned to his city, honored by Bhīṣma.
गान्धार्यपि वरारोहा शीलाचारविचेष्टितैः । तुष्टिं कुरूणां सर्वेषां जनयामास भारत ॥१-१०३-१६॥
Gāndhārī, of excellent form, by her noble conduct and actions, brought joy to all the Kurus, O Bhārata.
वृत्तेनाराध्य तान्सर्वान्पतिव्रतपरायणा । वाचापि पुरुषानन्यान्सुव्रता नान्वकीर्तयत् ॥१-१०३-१७॥
By her conduct she pleased all, and being devoted to her husband, the virtuous Gāndhārī did not even speak of other men.
