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Shloka 746

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

निश्चक्रमुर्गृहात्‌ तस्मात्‌ सा वृद्धाथ व्यतिष्ठत । तदनन्तर वे सब कनन्‍्याएँ उस समय ऋषिकी परिक्रमा करके उस घरसे निकल गयीं। केवल वह वृद्धा ही वहाँ ठहरी रही

niścakramur gṛhāt tasmāt sā vṛddhātha vyatiṣṭhata |

ثم انصرفن جميعًا عن ذلك البيت؛ غير أنّ العجوز بقيت هناك، ثابتةً في موقفها. وفي إطار الحكاية تُتمّ الفتياتُ الصغيراتُ شعيرةَ التوقير بالطواف حول الرِّشيّ ثم يخرجن، بينما تبقى الكبيرة—وكأنّ في بقائها دلالةً على الثبات، أو تحمّل المسؤولية، أو قصدٍ متعمَّدٍ للكلام أو للخدمة حين يتراجع الآخرون.

निश्चक्रमुःwent out, departed
निश्चक्रमुः:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootनिः√क्रम्
FormPerfect (Liṭ), 3rd, Plural, Parasmaipada
गृहात्from the house
गृहात्:
Apadana
TypeNoun
Rootगृह
FormNeuter, Ablative, Singular
तस्मात्from that (place/house)
तस्मात्:
Apadana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormNeuter, Ablative, Singular
साshe
सा:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
वृद्धाthe old (woman)
वृद्धा:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootवृद्ध
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
अथthen, thereafter
अथ:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootअथ
व्यतिष्ठतstood, remained
व्यतिष्ठत:
Karta
TypeVerb
Rootवि√स्था
FormImperfect (Laṅ), 3rd, Singular, Parasmaipada

सअद्टावक्र उवाच

V
vṛddhā (the old woman)
G
gṛha (the house)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights dharmic decorum: those who have paid due respect may depart, but true duty can also mean remaining behind—showing steadiness, service, or readiness to take responsibility when others leave.

After leaving the house, the group (contextually, the maidens who have honored the sage) departs; only the elderly woman stays, indicating a shift of focus to her role or forthcoming speech/action.