Shloka 37
The Rise of Soma-vaṁśa: Budha’s Birth and Purūravā–Urvaśī; The Origin of Karma-kāṇḍa in Tretā-yuga
स्त्रियो ह्यकरुणा: क्रूरा दुर्मर्षा: प्रियसाहसा: । घ्नन्त्यल्पार्थेऽपि विश्रब्धं पतिं भ्रातरमप्युत ॥ ३७ ॥
striyo hy akaruṇāḥ krūrā durmarṣāḥ priya-sāhasāḥ ghnanty alpārthe ’pi viśrabdhaṁ patiṁ bhrātaram apy uta
Frauen sind gnadenlos und listig. Sie können nicht einmal eine geringfügige Beleidigung dulden. Für ihr eigenes Vergnügen schrecken sie nicht davor zurück, sogar einen treuen Ehemann oder Bruder zu töten.
King Purūravā was greatly attached to Urvaśī. Yet despite his faithfulness to her, she had left him. Now, considering that the King was wasting his rarely achieved human form of life, Urvaśī frankly explained the nature of a woman. Because of her nature, a woman can respond to even a slight offense from her husband by not only leaving him but even killing him if required. To say nothing of her husband, she can even kill her brother. That is a woman’s nature. Therefore, in the material world, unless women are trained to be chaste and faithful to their husbands, there cannot be peace or prosperity in society.
FAQs
This verse warns that when one becomes driven by personal desire and intolerance, even trusted relationships can be harmed over trivial issues—so restraint and dharma must guide one’s conduct.
In the Ninth Canto’s royal histories, Śukadeva highlights moral cautions within the narrative—showing how uncontrolled emotions and attachment can lead to betrayal or violence even among close relations.
It teaches vigilance over anger and possessiveness: avoid reacting to small provocations, cultivate compassion and patience, and protect trust in family life through self-control and spiritual values.