Shloka 2.117.25

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

Devanagari script

न त्वेवमवगच्छन्ति गुणदोषमसत्त्स्रियः।कामवक्तव्यहृदया भर्तृनाथाश्चरन्ति याः।।।।

Transliteration

na tv evam avagacchanti guṇadoṣam asat-striyaḥ |

kāmavaktavyahṛdayā bhartṛnāthāś caranti yāḥ ||

Translation

But wicked women do not understand virtue and fault in this way—those whose hearts are driven by desire and self-will, who roam about treating their husbands as though the husbands were dependent on them.

Context

Those wicked women whose minds are overpowered by carnal desires, ranging at will as lords of their husbands, do not understand about vice and virtue.

Characters & Entities

• Anasūyā
• Sītā
• Kāma (desire)
• Guṇa-doṣa (virtue/vice)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires discernment (guṇa-doṣa-viveka) and restraint; unchecked kāma undermines moral understanding and right conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Anasūyā contrasts Sītā’s dharmic fidelity with the behavior of those who act from desire and disregard ethical discernment.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (moral discrimination) and dama (self-control) as foundations for dharmic life.