Shloka 23
Ṛśyaśṛṅga’s Luring, Rainfall at Aṅga, and Reconciliation with Vibhāṇḍaka (ऋश्यशृङ्गोपाख्यानम्)
अरुन्धती वा सुभगा वसिष्ठं लोपामुद्रा वा यथा हाुगस्त्यम् । नलस्य वै दमयन्ती यथा भूद् यथा शची वज्रधरस्य चैव,अथवा जैसे सौभाग्यशालिनी अरुन्धती वसिष्ठजीकी, लोपामुद्रा अगस्त्यजीकी, दमयन्ती नलकी तथा शची वज्रधारी इन्द्रकी सेवा करती है
Arundhatī vā subhagā Vasiṣṭhaṃ Lopāmudrā vā yathā hāgastyam | Nalasya vai Damayantī yathā bhūd yathā Śacī vajradharasya caiva ||
Vibhāṇḍaka said: “Just as the fortunate Arundhatī serves Vasiṣṭha, as Lopāmudrā serves Agastya, as Damayantī served Nala, and as Śacī serves Indra the wielder of the thunderbolt—so too should a wife render devoted service to her husband.”
विभाण्डक उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches gṛhastha-dharma through exemplars: a wife’s steadfast devotion and service to her husband, modeled by Arundhatī, Lopāmudrā, Damayantī, and Śacī, is presented as an ethical ideal of marital partnership and fidelity.
Vibhāṇḍaka is instructing by citing well-known legendary couples. He strengthens his counsel by pointing to celebrated wives whose conduct is traditionally praised, using them as authoritative models for the behavior being recommended.