Shloka 10
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
स्त्रियश्वैव विशेषेण स्त्रीजनस्य गति: परा । गौर्या गच्छति सुश्रोणि लोकेष्वेषा गति: सदा
striyaś caiva viśeṣeṇa strī-janasya gatiḥ parā | gauryā gacchati suśroṇi lokeṣv eṣā gatiḥ sadā ||
Mahādeva said: “Women, and especially the community of women, have a supreme course to attain. O fair-hipped one, by following Gaurī they proceed through the worlds—this is ever the destined path (and highest refuge) for them.”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms that women—particularly women as a social and spiritual community—have a ‘supreme path’ of attainment, characterized here as following or taking refuge in Gaurī (Pārvatī). It highlights devotion to the Goddess as an enduring means of spiritual progress and protection.
Śrī Maheśvara is speaking to a woman addressed as ‘suśroṇi’ and is describing the spiritual destiny/path for women: by aligning themselves with Gaurī, they ‘go through the worlds,’ i.e., attain auspicious states and progress under her guidance.