Shloka 72
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
Devanagari script
स्वस्तीति तेन चैवोक्ता सा स्त्री प्रत्यवदत् तदा
Transliteration
svastīti tena caivoktā sā strī pratyavadat tadā
Translation
Da grüßte Bhīṣma sie mit dem glückverheißenden Wort „svasti“, und jene Frau erwiderte den Gruß.
Word by Word
स्वस्तिwell-being; hail; auspiciousness
स्वस्ति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootस्वस्ति
इतिthus (quotative)
इति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति
तेनby him/with that
तेन:
Karana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
Formmasculine/neuter, instrumental, singular
चand
च:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच
एवindeed; just
एव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएव
उक्ताspoken; addressed
उक्ता:
TypeVerb
Rootवच्
Formfeminine, nominative, singular, क्त (past passive participle)
साshe
सा:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
Formfeminine, nominative, singular
स्त्रीthe woman
स्त्री:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootस्त्री
Formfeminine, nominative, singular
प्रत्यवदत्replied; answered back
प्रत्यवदत्:
TypeVerb
Rootवद्
Formimperfect (लङ्), 3rd, singular, parasmaipada, प्रति-
तदाthen; at that time
तदा:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतदा
Speaker
भीष्म उवाच
Characters & Entities
B
BhīṣmaA
a woman (strī)S
svasti (auspicious greeting)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic etiquette: auspicious, respectful speech initiates and sustains proper social interaction. A benedictory greeting (“svasti”) and a measured reply model ethical communication.
Bhīṣma narrates a moment of dialogue: a man greets a woman with “svasti,” and she responds. The line functions as a transition into or within a story where the manner of address and response is significant.