Shloka 26
दमयन्ती–बाहुकसंवादः
Damayantī’s Dialogue with Bāhuka; Recognition and Disclosure
रहिता भर्त॑भिश्चापि न क्रुध्यन्ति कदाचन । प्राणांश्षारित्रकवचान् धारयन्ति वरस्त्रिय:,श्रेष्ठ नारियाँ अपने पतियोंसे परित्यक्त होनेपर भी कभी क्रोध नहीं करतीं। वे सदा सदाचाररूपी कवचसे आवृत प्राणोंको धारण करती हैं
rahitā bhartṛbhiś cāpi na krudhyanti kadācana | prāṇān śīlācaritrakavacān dhārayanti varastriyaḥ ||
قال باهوكا: «حتى إذا هجرهنّ أزواجهنّ، فإنّ النساء الشريفات لا يغضبن قطّ. إنهنّ يصنّ حياتهنّ كأنّها مُحصَّنة بدرعٍ من حسن السيرة وفضيلة الخُلُق».
बाहुक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises kṣamā (forbearance) and śīla/ācāra (ethical conduct) as a protective ‘armor’: even under the pain of abandonment, the ideal response is restraint and steadfast virtue rather than anger.
Bāhuka is speaking and characterizing ‘noble women’ by their unwavering self-control. The statement functions as moral instruction within the story, using the metaphor of virtue as a kavaca (armor) that safeguards one’s life and integrity.