Shloka 7
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
तेन त्वां परिपृच्छामि धर्मज्ञे धर्मवादिनि । स्त्रीधर्म श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वयोदाह्ृतमादित:
tena tvāṁ paripṛcchāmi dharmajñe dharmavādini | strī-dharmaṁ śrotum icchāmi tvayodāhṛtam āditaḥ ||
অতএব, হে ধর্মজ্ঞে, ধর্মবক্ত্রী! আমি তোমাকে স্ত্রীধর্ম সম্বন্ধে প্রশ্ন করছি। তোমার মুখ থেকে আদ্যন্ত নারীর ধর্মাচরণ সম্পূর্ণরূপে শুনতে চাই।
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a formal request for a complete exposition of strī-dharma, emphasizing that ethical instruction should be heard systematically “from the beginning,” from a qualified authority who both knows dharma and can articulate it.
Maheśvara addresses a female interlocutor praised as a knower and teacher of dharma, and asks her to explain the code of conduct and duties for women in a thorough, ordered manner.