Shloka 7
Vipula’s Yogic Protection of the Guru’s Household (विपुलस्य योगरक्षा / Vipulasya Yogarakṣā)
भीष्म उवाच एतच्छुत्वा वचस्तस्य देवर्षेरप्सरोत्तमा । प्रत्युवाच न शक्ष्यामि स्त्री सती निन्दितुं स्त्रिय:
bhīṣma uvāca etac chrutvā vacas tasya devarṣer apsarottamā | pratyuvāca na śakṣyāmi strī satī nindituṁ striyaḥ ||
Bhishma said: Hearing these words of the divine seer, the foremost of the Apsarases replied, “O Devarshi, being a woman of integrity, I cannot bring myself to disparage women.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Ethical speech is part of dharma: one should avoid blanket condemnation and slander, especially of an entire group. The Apsara models restraint and solidarity grounded in integrity (strī satī), refusing to participate in disparagement.
Bhishma narrates that after Narada speaks, the foremost Apsara responds respectfully, stating that as a virtuous woman she cannot criticize women, thereby redirecting the conversation away from blame.