Chapter 2: Sudarśana Upākhyāna — Atithi-Dharma and the Conquest of Mṛtyu
Gṛhastha-Vrata
तमब्रवीदोघवती तथा मुर्धश्नि कृताञ्जलि: । न मे त्वद्गबचनात् किंचिन्न कर्तव्यं कथंचन
tam abravīd oghavatī tathā mūrdhni kṛtāñjaliḥ | na me tvad-vacanāt kiñcin na kartavyaṃ kathaṃcana ||
Dijo Bhīṣma: Al oír esto, Oghavatī, con las manos juntas en señal de reverencia y alzadas hasta la cabeza, respondió: «No hay nada —bajo ninguna circunstancia— que no esté obligada a hacer conforme a tu mandato».
भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights a dharmic posture of disciplined obedience and reverence: the speaker (Oghavatī) declares unwavering readiness to act according to an authoritative instruction, emphasizing commitment to duty and respect for rightful command.
After hearing what was said to her, Oghavatī responds with the gesture of añjali (hands joined and raised to the head) and verbally affirms that she will not refuse any task commanded—signaling submission, respect, and readiness to serve.