Shloka 12
Śrī-nivāsa: Traits and Conditions for the Abode of Prosperity (श्री-निवासः)
परस्य वेश्माभिरतामलज्जा- मेवंविधां तां परिवर्जयामि । जो घरके बर्तनोंको सुव्यवस्थित रूपसे न रखकर इधर-उधर बिखेरे रहती हैं, सोच- समझकर काम नहीं करती हैं, सदा अपने पतिके प्रतिकूल ही बोलती हैं, दूसरोंके घरोंमें घूमने-फिरनेमें आसक्त रहती हैं और लज्जाको सर्वथा छोड़ बैठती हैं, उनको मैं त्याग देती हूँ ।।
bhīṣma uvāca | parasya veśmābhiratām alajjām evaṃvidhāṃ tāṃ parivarjayāmi | pāpām acokṣām avalehinīṃ ca vyapetadhairyāṃ kalahapriyāṃ ca ||
Bhishma said: “A woman who is attached to roaming in other people’s houses, who is shameless, and of such a disposition—I deliberately avoid her. Likewise, one who is sinful in conduct, lacking modest restraint, given to licking up (greedily consuming what is not hers), who has lost steadiness of mind, and who delights in quarrel—such a woman I reject.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames household and social dharma in terms of self-restraint and propriety: one should avoid a spouse/partner whose habits show shamelessness, instability, greed, and a love of quarrel, because such traits undermine harmony, trust, and ethical life.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma. Here he lists undesirable traits in a woman (as a prospective wife/householder), stating that he would shun one who frequents others’ homes, lacks modesty, behaves sinfully, is greedy, unstable, and quarrelsome.