Shloka 6
Vivāha-dharma: Kanyā-pradāna, Śulka, and Pāṇigrahaṇa-niṣṭhā (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४४)
उत्थातुकामा तु सती विष्टब्धा विपुलेन सा । निगृहीता मनुष्येन्द्र न शशाक विचेष्टितुम्
utthātukāmā tu satī viṣṭabdhā vipulena sā | nigṛhītā manuṣyendra na śaśāka viceṣṭitum ||
Bhīṣma dit : «Mais lorsque cette femme vertueuse voulut se lever, Vipula l’immobilisa aussitôt. Maîtrisée et tenue en respect, ô seigneur des hommes, elle ne put faire le moindre mouvement.»
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the ethical tension between intention and restraint: even a virtuous person’s impulse to act can be checked by a stronger controlling force, underscoring themes of self-control, protection, and the limits placed on action when one is overpowered.
As the woman tries to rise, Vipula intervenes and renders her motionless. Because she is physically restrained, she cannot move at all, and Bhīṣma narrates this to the king.