Shloka 19
Strī-satkāra (On honoring women) — Mahābhārata 13.46
तस्माद् ब्रवीमि पार्थ त्वां स्त्रियो रक्ष्या: सदैव च । उभयं दृश्यते तासु सततं साथ्वसाधु च
tasmād bravīmi pārtha tvāṁ striyo rakṣyāḥ sadaiva ca | ubhayaṁ dṛśyate tāsu satataṁ sādhv-asādhu ca ||
Therefore, O Pārtha, I tell you this: women should always be protected. For in women, both the good and the not-good are continually seen; hence, O son of Kuntī, one must be vigilant and uphold protection as a duty.
विपुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Vipula frames the protection of women as a constant obligation (rakṣyāḥ sadaiva). He adds a cautionary ethical observation—good and improper tendencies may both be encountered—so one should maintain vigilant, dharmic guardianship rather than negligence.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s instruction-focused setting, Vipula addresses Arjuna directly (Pārtha, Kuntīnandana), offering counsel on social and moral duty: how one should relate to and safeguard women as part of righteous conduct.