Shloka 72

Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy

Devanagari script

स्वस्तीति तेन चैवोक्ता सा स्त्री प्रत्यवदत्‌ तदा

Transliteration

svastīti tena caivoktā sā strī pratyavadat tadā

Translation

عندئذٍ خاطبها بهيشما بتحيةٍ مباركة قائلاً: «svasti»، فبادرت تلك المرأة بالردّ عليه.

Word by Word

• स्वस्ति: well-being; hail; auspiciousness
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वस्ति

• इति: thus (quotative)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: इति

• तेन: by him/with that
• तेन: Karana
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: masculine/neuter, instrumental, singular

• च: and
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च

• एव: indeed; just
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव

• उक्ता: spoken; addressed
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच्
• Form: feminine, nominative, singular, क्त (past passive participle)

• सा: she
• सा: Karta
• Type: Pronoun
• Root: तद्
• Form: feminine, nominative, singular

• स्त्री: the woman
• स्त्री: Karta
• Type: Noun
• Root: स्त्री
• Form: feminine, nominative, singular

• प्रत्यवदत्: replied; answered back
• Type: Verb
• Root: वद्
• Form: imperfect (लङ्), 3rd, singular, parasmaipada, प्रति-

• तदा: then; at that time
• तदा: Adhikarana
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: तदा

Speaker

भीष्म उवाच

Characters & Entities

• Bhīṣma
• a woman (strī)
• svasti (auspicious greeting)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights dharmic etiquette: auspicious, respectful speech initiates and sustains proper social interaction. A benedictory greeting (“svasti”) and a measured reply model ethical communication.

What is happening in the narrative?

Bhīṣma narrates a moment of dialogue: a man greets a woman with “svasti,” and she responds. The line functions as a transition into or within a story where the manner of address and response is significant.