Bhisma said: -
1. This our famous dynasty, endued with every virtue and accomplishment, has all along ruled over all other kings on earth.
2-3. It was perpetuated by many virtuous-minded and virtuously inclined kings. Satyavati, the illustrious Krishna (Dwaipayana) and myself, have raised you up in order that this our great dynasty may not be extinct.
4. It is certainly your duty and mine to take such steps as our this dynasty may expand as the sea.
5. I have heard that the princess of the Yadavas, the daughter of Subala and the princess of Madra, are worthy of being allied to our dynasty.
6. O sons, all these maidens are the best of Kshatryas; they are beautiful and of are birth; they are eminently fit for alliance with our family.
7. O foremost of intelligent men, Vidura, I think we should choose them for the perpetuation of our race. Tell me what you think.
Vidura said: -
8. You are our father, you are our mother, you are our great preceptor. You yourself do what you think proper for the welfare of this dynasty.
Vaishampayana said: -
9. He (Bhisma) heard from the Brahmanas that the daughter of Subala, Gandhari, had received a boon by worshipping the destroyer of eyes of Vaga, the boon-giving deity Hara (Siva).
10. The amiable, Gandhari would get one hundred sons. Having heard this, the grandsire of the Kurus, Bhisma.
11. Sent messengers to the king of Gandhara. O descendant of the Bharata race, (king) Suvala hesitated on account of the blindness (of the bridegroom).
12. But taking into consideration the noble blood, the fame and the conduct of the Kurus, he bestowed the virtuous Gandhari on Dhritarashtra.
13. O descendant of the Bharata race, having heard of the blindness of Dhritarashtra and that her parents had consented to bestow her (Gandhari) upon him.
14-15. O king, ever-devoted to her husband, (Gandhari) bandaged her own eyes with cloth, gathered into many folds, out of her desire that she would not be wanting in respect and love for her husband. Thereupon, the son of the king of Gandhara, Shakuni.
16. Bringing his beautiful and young and well- behaved sister to the Kurus, formally gave her to Dhritarashtra.
17. The nuptials were solemnised with the permission of Bhisma. The hero (Sakuni), giving away his sister with (many valuable) robes, returned to his own capital, after being duly worshipped by Bhisma.
18. O descendant of the Bharata race, the beautiful Gandhari pleased all the Kurus by her behaviour and respectful attentions.
19. She, ever-devoted to her husband, pleased her superiors by her good conduct and vow observing as she was, she never referred to other men even in words.
Thus ends the hundred and tenth chapter, the marriage of Dhritarashtra, in the Sambhava of the Adi Parva.