Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 51
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
श्वश्रूश्वशुरयो: पादौ जोषयन्ती गुणान्विता । मातापितृपरा नित्यं या नारी सा तपोधना
śvaśrūśvaśurayoḥ pādau joṣayantī guṇānvitā | mātāpitr̥parā nityaṁ yā nārī sā tapodhanā ||
जो स्त्री सद्गुणों से युक्त होकर सदा सास-ससुर के चरणों की सेवा करती है, और नित्य अपने माता-पिता के प्रति भी समर्पित रहती है—वह स्त्री तपस्या-रूपी धन से सम्पन्न मानी जाती है।
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that sustained reverential service to one’s in-laws, together with unwavering devotion to one’s own parents, is itself a form of tapas; such conduct is praised as a spiritual ‘wealth’ grounded in virtue and household dharma.
Śrī Mahādeva is instructing about ethical ideals within household life, describing the qualities and conduct by which a woman is honored—specifically, her consistent service to elders and steadfast filial devotion.