Shloka 723
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
प्रत्युत्थाय च त॑ं विप्रमास्यतामित्युवाच ह । अष्टावक्रने 'स्वस्ति” कहकर उसे आशीर्वाद दिया। वह स्त्री उनके स्वागतके लिये पलँगसे उठकर खड़ी हो गयी और इस प्रकार बोली--“विप्रवर! बैठिये”
pratyutthāya ca taṃ vipram āsatām ity uvāca ha | aṣṭāvakreṇa ‘svasti’ iti uktvā tam āśīrvādam adāt | sā strī tasya satkārārthaṃ palyaṅkāt utthāya sthitā caivam uvāca—“vipravara! āsīyatām” |
Bhishma said: Rising to receive the brahmin, she spoke with reverence, “Please be seated.” Aṣṭāvakra, uttering “svasti” (“may it be well”), bestowed his blessing upon her. The woman stood up from the couch to honor him and, with due hospitality, invited the foremost of brahmins to sit. The passage highlights the ethical duty of respectful reception of a guest and the auspicious exchange of blessing and welcome.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores atithi-dharma (the duty of honoring a guest): one should rise, offer a seat, and speak respectfully; in return, the guest offers auspicious blessings—an ethical exchange that sustains social and spiritual order.
A woman host rises from her couch to welcome a brahmin and invites him to sit. Aṣṭāvakra responds with the benedictory word “svasti” and blesses her, marking a formal, dharmic reception.