Shloka 39
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत अनुशासनपर्वके अन्तर्गत दानधर्मपर्वमें स््रियोंके स््वभावका वर्णनविषयक उनतालीसवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ,तस्माद् विपुल यत्नेन रक्षेमां तनुमध्यमाम् | यथा रुचिं नावलिहेद् देवेन्द्रो भूगुसत्तम
tasmād vipula-yatnena rakṣemāṃ tanumadhyamām | yathā ruciṃ nāvalihyed devendro bhṛgusattama ||
Therefore, O best of the Bhṛgus, with great effort one should guard this slender-waisted woman, so that Indra, lord of the gods, may not approach her according to his own desire (i.e., may not violate her at will).
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse stresses vigilant protection of women and restraint against predatory desire, using even Indra as a cautionary example—implying that power does not justify transgression and that dharma requires safeguarding the vulnerable.
Yudhiṣṭhira addresses a Bhṛgu-descended sage, concluding a discussion on women’s nature and conduct; he draws a moral that one must carefully guard a woman so that even a powerful figure like Indra does not act upon her according to mere whim.