Shloka 24
Vipula’s Yogic Protection of the Guru’s Household (विपुलस्य योगरक्षा / Vipulasya Yogarakṣā)
चलस्वभावा दु:सेव्या दुर्ग्राह्मा भावतस्तथा । प्राज्ञस्थ पुरुषस्येह यथा वाचस्तथा स्त्रिय:
calasvabhāvā duḥsevyā durgrāhyā bhāvatas tathā | prājñasya puruṣasyeha yathā vācas tathā striyaḥ ||
Bhishma said: “Women are by nature changeful; they are difficult to associate with and hard to comprehend in their inner intent. In this world, their disposition is as difficult to grasp as the speech of a truly wise man is difficult to fathom.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses a comparison to stress that inner intentions can be difficult to read: it likens the difficulty of discerning women’s feelings to the difficulty of understanding the subtle speech of a wise person, urging caution and discernment in social dealings.
In the Anushasana Parva’s instruction section, Bhishma continues his didactic counsel, offering observations on human nature and interpersonal conduct as part of his broader ethical guidance.