Bhishma said The gift of the dower does not make the girl wife. This is wellknown to the person paying it. He pays it simply as the price of the girl . Then again the good never bestow their daughters, induced by the dowers that others may offer.
भीष्म उवाच नैव निष्ठाकरं शुल्कं ज्ञात्वाऽऽसीत् तेन नाहृतम्। न हि शुल्कपराः सन्तः कन्यां ददति कर्हिचित्॥