Shloka 52
Pātivratya-kathana
The Narrative of the Pativrata
या इष्टा नृपतेर्देवि सास्माकं हि गरीयसी । इष्टा या भूपतेर्भर्तुस्तस्या या दुष्टमाचरेत् ॥ ५२ ॥
yā iṣṭā nṛpaterdevi sāsmākaṃ hi garīyasī | iṣṭā yā bhūpaterbhartustasyā yā duṣṭamācaret || 52 ||
O Goddess, she who is dear to the king is indeed most venerable to us. But any woman who behaves wickedly toward her who is beloved of the lord of the land (the king) acts contrary to dharma.
Narrator/teacher voice within the Adhyaya (Uttara-Bhaga discourse; traditionally framed as Purana narration, often Suta conveying the teaching)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
FAQs
It emphasizes dharmic social order: honoring those whom rightful authority honors, and avoiding envy or malice that disrupts harmony; reverence and right conduct are treated as spiritually weighty (garīyasī).
While not explicitly naming Vishnu-bhakti, it supports bhakti through sadācāra: devotion is strengthened by humility, non-malice, and honoring dharmic relationships rather than acting with duṣṭa-bhāva (wicked intent).
No specific Vedanga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught directly; the practical takeaway is ethical discipline (sadācāra) within dharma, which underlies proper ritual life and social duty.