Shloka 5
Aṣṭāvakra and the Woman: Disclosure, Permission, and Marital Resolution (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय २२)
दिव्यं च विधिवच्चक्रे सोपचारं मुनेस्तदा । स तेन सुसुखोष्णेन तस्या हस्तसुखेन च
divyaṃ ca vidhivaccakre sopacāraṃ munestadā | sa tena susukhoṣṇena tasyā hastasukhena ca
Bhishma said: “Then he performed the rite in a splendid and properly prescribed manner, offering due honors to the sage. And he was comforted both by that pleasantly warm (service) and by the soothing touch of her hands.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Dharma is expressed through vidhivat conduct—doing what is proper and prescribed—and through sopacāra, respectful hospitality and service to worthy guests such as sages.
Bhishma describes a scene where someone renders proper, rule-bound honors and service to a sage, and the recipient is eased and comforted by warm attentions and by the soothing touch of a woman’s hands.