Shloka 25
Varṇāśrama-Dharma and the Thirty Qualities of a Human Being
स्त्रीणां च पतिदेवानां तच्छुश्रूषानुकूलता । तद्बन्धुष्वनुवृत्तिश्च नित्यं तद्व्रतधारणम् ॥ २५ ॥
strīṇāṁ ca pati-devānāṁ tac-chuśrūṣānukūlatā tad-bandhuṣv anuvṛttiś ca nityaṁ tad-vrata-dhāraṇam
પતિદેવની સેવા કરવી, પતિ પ્રત્યે સદા અનુકૂળ રહેવું, પતિના સગા‑મિત્રો પ્રત્યે પણ સમાન સદ્ભાવ રાખવો, અને પતિના વ્રતોનું નિત્ય પાલન કરવું—આ પતિવ્રતા સ્ત્રીના ચાર નિયમો છે.
It is very important for peaceful householder life that a woman follow the vow of her husband. Any disagreement with the husband’s vow will disrupt family life. In this regard, Cāṇakya Paṇḍita gives a very valuable instruction: dampatyoḥ kalaho nāsti tatra śrīḥ svayam āgatāḥ. When there are no fights between husband and wife, the goddess of fortune automatically comes to the home. A woman’s education should be conducted along the lines indicated in this verse. The basic principle for a chaste woman is to be always favorably disposed toward her husband. In Bhagavad-gītā (1.40) it is said, strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇeya jāyate varṇa-saṅkaraḥ: if the women are polluted, there will be varṇa-saṅkara population. In modern terms, the varṇa-saṅkara are the hippies, who do not follow any regulative injunctions. Another explanation is that when the population is varṇa-saṅkara, no one can know who is on what platform. The varṇāśrama system scientifically divides society into four varṇas and four āśramas, but in varṇa-saṅkara society there are no such distinctions, and no one can know who is who. In such a society, no one can distinguish between a brāhmaṇa, a kṣatriya, a vaiśya and a śūdra. For peace and happiness in the material world, the varṇāśrama institution must be introduced. The symptoms of one’s activities must be defined, and one must be educated accordingly. Then spiritual advancement will automatically be possible.
FAQs
In 7.11.25, the Bhagavatam describes a wife’s dharma as attentive, favorable service to her husband, respectful alignment with his family, and steady observance of the vows and duties of married life.
While instructing Mahārāja Parīkṣit on dharma and the ideal social order (varṇāśrama), Śukadeva explains practical duties for different roles, including household life, as a way to live responsibly and progress spiritually.
Apply the principle of faithful, supportive partnership: serve one’s spouse with care and goodwill, honor family responsibilities, and keep one’s commitments—while cultivating devotion and integrity in daily life.