Sutra 4

Devanagari script

वृत्तिकामा दरिद्रा विधवा प्रगल्भा ब्राह्मण्यन्तःपुरे कृतसत्कारा महामात्रकुलान्यभिगच्छेत् ॥ कZ_०१.१२.०४ ॥

Transliteration

parivrājikā vṛttikāmā daridrā vidhavā pragalbhā brāhmaṇy antaḥpure kṛtasatkārā mahāmātrakulāny abhigacchet

Translation

Une ascète errante (parivrājikā) — cherchant de quoi vivre, pauvre, veuve et hardie —, après avoir obtenu un accueil respectueux dans les appartements intérieurs en se présentant comme une femme brahmane, doit approcher les maisonnées des hauts fonctionnaires.

Word by Word

वृत्तिकामाa woman seeking livelihood/maintenance

दरिद्राa poor woman

विधवाa widow

प्रगल्भाa bold/forward woman

ब्राह्मणीa Brahmin woman

अन्तःपुरेin the inner palace (harem)

कृतसत्काराone who has been duly received/honoured

महामात्रकुलानिthe families/households of high officials

अभिगच्छेत्should approach/visit

Entities Mentioned

parivrājikā

brāhmaṇī

antaḥpura

mahāmātra

FAQs

What is the operational value of the ‘parivrājikā’ cover?

It provides socially acceptable mobility and intimacy with households, enabling discreet collection of gossip, loyalties, and vulnerabilities among elites.

Why specify ‘kṛtasatkārā’ (already honored) before approaching officials’ families?

Prior acceptance establishes trust and lowers suspicion, increasing access and the credibility of the agent’s presence.