Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
न भ्रातृनू न च भर्तारें न च पुत्रान् न देवरान् । लीलायन्त्य: कुलं घ्नन्ति कूलानीव सरिद्वरा: । दोषान् सर्वाश्न मत्वा55शु प्रजापतिरभाषत
na bhrātṝnū na ca bhartāraṁ na ca putrān na devarān | līlāyantyaḥ kulaṁ ghnanti kūlānīva saridvarāḥ | doṣān sarvāśn matvāśu prajāpatir abhāṣata ||
“They spare neither brothers nor husbands, neither sons nor brothers-in-law. Sporting as it were, they destroy a family—just as a mighty river erodes its banks. Recognizing these faults in full, Prajāpati spoke at once.”
अष्टावक्र उवाच
Unchecked misconduct—portrayed as heedless ‘play’—can ruin an entire lineage, harming even the closest relations; therefore one should recognize such doṣas early and restrain them to protect dharma and family stability.
Aṣṭāvakra describes how destructive tendencies can sweep through a household, likening them to a strong river cutting away its banks; seeing these faults clearly, Prajāpati is said to respond immediately with instruction.