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214
 
THE MAHABHARATA
 
"Luckily have you all come from the forest
hale and healthy. Let Arjuna, (the archer)
who shoots arrows
as wife Uttara ( my
men is the proper
 
with both hands, accept
daughter ) ; this best of
husband for her."
 
एवमुक्तां धर्मराजः पार्थमैक्षद्धनञ्जयम् ।
ईक्षितं चार्जनो शात्वा मात्स्यं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥
 
So told, Yudhisthira looked at Arjuna.
Understanding the look, Arjuna said these
words to the Matsya king :
 
'प्रतिगृहाम्यहं राजन् स्नुषां दुहितरं तव ।
अन्तः पुरेऽहमुषितो विश्वस्ता पितृवन्मयि ।
आचार्यवच्च मां नित्यं मन्यते दुहिता तव ।
स्वस्त्रीयां वासुदेवस्य साक्षाद्देवसुतो यथा ।
अभिमन्युर्महाबाहुः पुत्रो मम विशांपते ।
जामाता तव युक्तो वै भर्ता च दुहितुस्तव ॥'
 
King I shall accept your daughter as
my daughter-in-law. I have lived in the
harem and she has moved with me in
 
confidence as with a father; also, your