Mahabharata — Ashramavasika Parva, Shloka 11
धृतराष्ट्रदर्शनाय पाण्डवानां प्रयाणम् | The Pāṇḍavas Prepare to Visit Dhṛtarāṣṭra
स मामुवाच वेपन्तीं वरं मत्तो वृणीष्व ह । गम्यतामिति त॑ चाहं प्रणम्य शिरसावदम्
sa mām uvāca vepantīṁ varaṁ matto vṛṇīṣva ha | gamyatām iti ca taṁ cāhaṁ praṇamya śirasā avadam |
Seeing him, I began to tremble. He said to me, 'Lady, choose a boon from me.' Then, bowing my head in reverence, I replied, 'Please depart from here.'
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights ethical restraint and discernment: even when offered a boon (a powerful opportunity), one may choose the safer, dharmic course—maintaining distance from a potentially dangerous or inappropriate encounter—while still showing respect through proper reverence.
A woman, frightened or overwhelmed upon seeing a man, trembles. He offers her a boon to choose. She bows respectfully and asks him to leave, indicating refusal of the boon and a desire to end the encounter.
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