Shloka 2.117.23

अत्र्याश्रमगमनम् तथा अनसूयोपदेशः (Arrival at Atri’s Hermitage and Anasuya’s Counsel)

Devanagari script

दुश्शीलः कामवृत्तो वा धनैर्वा परिवर्जितः।स्त्रीणामार्यस्वभावानां परमं दैवतं पतिः।।।।

Transliteration

duśśīlaḥ kāmavṛtto vā dhanair vā parivarjitaḥ |

strīṇām āryasvabhāvānāṃ paramaṃ daivataṃ patiḥ ||

Translation

“For women of noble disposition, the husband is held as the highest sacred authority—whether he is ill-conducted, pleasure-driven, or even lacking in wealth.”

Context

For a woman of noble nature her husband, whether he be licentious or of bad character or devoid of riches, is her supreme lord.

Characters & Entities

• Anasūyā
• Sītā
• Husband (pati)
• Daivata (object of reverence)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It teaches a conservative dharma-ideal where marital reverence is maintained independent of the husband’s external qualities like wealth or residence.

What is the narrative situation?

Anasūyā continues her counsel to Sītā, articulating norms of pativratā-dharma as understood in the epic’s moral world.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śraddhā (reverent commitment) and unwavering adherence to one’s chosen duty.