Shloka 72
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
Devanagari script
स्वस्तीति तेन चैवोक्ता सा स्त्री प्रत्यवदत् तदा
Transliteration
svastīti tena caivoktā sā strī pratyavadat tadā
Translation
Entonces Bhīṣma la saludó con el auspicioso “svasti”, y aquella mujer respondió a su vez.
Word by Word
स्वस्तिwell-being; hail; auspiciousness
स्वस्ति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootस्वस्ति
इतिthus (quotative)
इति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति
तेनby him/with that
तेन:
Karana
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
Formmasculine/neuter, instrumental, singular
चand
च:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootच
एवindeed; just
एव:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootएव
उक्ताspoken; addressed
उक्ता:
TypeVerb
Rootवच्
Formfeminine, nominative, singular, क्त (past passive participle)
साshe
सा:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootतद्
Formfeminine, nominative, singular
स्त्रीthe woman
स्त्री:
Karta
TypeNoun
Rootस्त्री
Formfeminine, nominative, singular
प्रत्यवदत्replied; answered back
प्रत्यवदत्:
TypeVerb
Rootवद्
Formimperfect (लङ्), 3rd, singular, parasmaipada, प्रति-
तदाthen; at that time
तदा:
Adhikarana
TypeIndeclinable
Rootतदा
Speaker
भीष्म उवाच
Characters & Entities
B
BhīṣmaA
a woman (strī)S
svasti (auspicious greeting)Character Dynamics
Dharma Sankata (Moral Dilemma)
Verse Rasa (Emotional Essence)
Philosophical Teaching
Political Layer
Meter (Chandas)
Sandhi Notes
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights dharmic etiquette: auspicious, respectful speech initiates and sustains proper social interaction. A benedictory greeting (“svasti”) and a measured reply model ethical communication.
Bhīṣma narrates a moment of dialogue: a man greets a woman with “svasti,” and she responds. The line functions as a transition into or within a story where the manner of address and response is significant.