Shloka 26

Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy

Devanagari script

अष्टावक्र उवाच तथास्तु साधयिष्यामि तत्र यास्याम्यसंशयम्‌ । यत्र त्वं वदसे साधो भवान्‌ भवतु सत्यवाक्‌,अष्टावक्र बोले--ऐसा ही होगा, मैं यह शर्त पूरी करूँगा। श्रेष्ठ पुरुष! आप जहाँ कहते हैं वहाँ अवश्य जाऊँगा। आपकी वाणी सत्य हो

Transliteration

aṣṭāvakra uvāca tathāstu sādhayiṣyāmi tatra yāsyāmy asaṁśayam | yatra tvaṁ vadase sādho bhavān bhavatu satyavāk ||

Translation

Aṣṭāvakra said: “So be it. I shall fulfill it; without doubt I will go there—where you, O good sir, direct me. May your speech prove true.”

Word by Word

• {'aṣṭāvakra uvāca': 'Aṣṭāvakra said', 'tathāstu': 'so be it

• let it be so (assent)', 'sādhayiṣyāmi': 'I will accomplish

• I will carry out (a promise/condition)', 'tatra': 'there', 'yāsyāmi': 'I will go', 'asaṁśayam': 'without doubt

• certainly', 'yatra': 'where', 'tvaṁ': 'you', 'vadase': 'you say

• you declare', 'sādho': 'O good man

• O virtuous one', 'bhavān': 'you (honorific)', 'bhavatu': 'may (he/you) be

• let (it) be', 'satyavāk': 'truth-speaking

Speaker

अष्टावक्र उवाच

Characters & Entities

• अष्टावक्र (Aṣṭāvakra)

Educational Q&A

What is the core teaching?

The verse highlights ethical steadfastness: one should honor commitments (sādhayiṣyāmi), act with certainty and resolve (asaṁśayam), and uphold truth in speech (satyavāk).

What is happening in the narrative?

Aṣṭāvakra agrees to a stated condition or request, affirming he will go to the place indicated and expressing confidence in the other person’s truthful guidance.