Shloka 17
Strī-satkāra (On honoring women) — Mahābhārata 13.46
बेटा! तुमने यथाशक्ति मेरी स्त्रीकी रक्षा की है और यह बात मुझे बतायी है, अतः मैं तुमपर बहुत प्रसन्न हूँ। तात! तुम स्वस्थ रहकर स्वर्गलोकमें जाओगे ।।
vipula uvāca | vatsa! tvayā yathāśakti mama bhāryāyā rakṣā kṛtā, etac ca me niveditam; ataḥ tvayi ahaṃ bahu prasannaḥ | tāta! tvaṃ svasthaḥ san svargalokaṃ gamiṣyasi || ity uktvā vipulaṃ prīto devaśarmā mahān ṛṣiḥ | mumoda svargam āsthāya saha-bhāryaḥ sa-śiṣyakaḥ ||
Vipula said: “My son, you have protected my wife to the best of your ability and you have reported the matter to me; therefore I am greatly pleased with you. Dear child, remaining in health, you shall go to the world of heaven.” Having spoken thus to Vipula, the great sage Devaśarmā, delighted, attained heaven together with his wife and his disciple, and there enjoyed celestial happiness.
विपुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Faithful protection of one’s teacher’s household and honest reporting of one’s actions are upheld as dharma; such integrity and service (sevā) are portrayed as leading to spiritual merit and auspicious destiny.
Vipula addresses Devaśarmā, stating that he protected the sage’s wife as best he could and informed the sage of the matter. Devaśarmā, pleased, blesses Vipula with health and the attainment of heaven; then Devaśarmā himself proceeds to heaven with his wife and disciple and enjoys celestial happiness.