Shloka 23
Kāṣṭhīlā-Ākhyāna: Ratnāvalī’s Return, Co-wife Dharma, and the Phālguna Propitiation
इयं तु राक्षसी दृष्ट्वा पतिं स्वं धर्मदूषकम् । विप्रेण संविदं कृत्वा दांपत्ये निजकर्मणा ॥ २३ ॥
iyaṃ tu rākṣasī dṛṣṭvā patiṃ svaṃ dharmadūṣakam | vipreṇa saṃvidaṃ kṛtvā dāṃpatye nijakarmaṇā || 23 ||
Mais cette rākṣasī, voyant que son propre époux souillait le dharma, conclut un accord avec un brāhmaṇa et, par ses propres actes, ordonna sa vie conjugale en conséquence.
Narada (narrative voice within the Uttara-Bhaga dialogue tradition)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: adbhuta
FAQs
It highlights vigilance in dharma: when close relationships become sources of adharma, one should seek righteous counsel (here, a brāhmaṇa) and act deliberately to preserve moral order.
Indirectly, it supports bhakti by insisting on dharmic alignment in daily life; devotion to Vishnu is sustained by conduct that avoids dharma-corruption and seeks guidance from the virtuous.
The verse points to smārta-dharma praxis rather than a specific Vedāṅga; practically, it emphasizes seeking brāhmaṇa guidance for correct conduct and social-ritual propriety (ācāra).