Shloka 17
भीष्म–रामसंयुगनिवृत्तिः
Bhishma and Rama: Restraint and Withdrawal in the Engagement
ततः सा पश्यतां तेषां महर्षीणामनिन्दिता । समाहृत्य वनात् तस्मात् काष्ठानि वरवर्णिनी
tataḥ sā paśyatāṃ teṣāṃ maharṣīṇām aninditā | samāhṛtya vanāt tasmāt kāṣṭhāni varavarṇinī ||
ثمّ، على مرأى من أولئك الحكماء العظام، دخلت المرأةُ البريئةُ الحسناءُ إلى ذلك الغاب وجمعت حطبًا.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic conduct through humble service and irreproachable behavior: even in the presence of revered sages, the woman acts with modest diligence, suggesting that virtue is shown in ordinary duties performed rightly.
Bhīṣma narrates that a blameless, beautiful woman, observed by great seers, goes into the forest and gathers firewood—an action indicating her role in serving or preparing for ritual/hospitality within an ascetic context.