Shloka 21
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
अप्च्छद् देवमहिषी स्त्रीधर्म धर्मवत्सला । स्त्रीधर्मकुशलास्ता वै गड़ाद्या: सरितां वरा:
apacchad devamahiṣī strīdharma dharmavatsalā | strīdharma-kuśalās tā vai gaṅgādyāḥ saritāṁ varāḥ ||
Alors la reine divine Umā, éprise de dharma, s’enquit du strī-dharma. Ces rivières excellentes, à commencer par la Gaṅgā, étaient versées dans le devoir des femmes ; et elle, avec un doux sourire, les aborda et les interrogea sur le strī-dharma (la conduite et les devoirs propres aux femmes).
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames strī-dharma as a serious ethical topic worthy of inquiry by Umā herself, and it presents authoritative sources (sacred rivers like Gaṅgā) as knowledgeable in dharma, setting up a didactic discussion on women’s conduct and responsibilities within a dharmic worldview.
After Maheśvara’s narration, Umā—Śiva’s consort—turns to the foremost rivers beginning with Gaṅgā, acknowledges their expertise in strī-dharma, and asks them questions about it, initiating a teaching dialogue.