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Shloka 713

Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy

वृद्धां पर्यककमासीनां सर्वाभरणभूषिताम्‌ । वहाँ उन्होंने एक जराजीर्ण वृद्धा स्त्रीको देखा, जो निर्मल वस्त्र धारण किये समस्त आभूषणोंसे विभूषित हो पलँगपर बैठी हुई थी

vṛddhāṃ paryakakam āsīnāṃ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitām |

वहाँ उन्होंने एक जराजीर्ण वृद्धा स्त्री को देखा, जो निर्मल वस्त्र धारण किए समस्त आभूषणों से विभूषित होकर पलंग पर बैठी थी।

वृद्धाम्an old (woman)
वृद्धाम्:
Karma
TypeAdjective
Rootवृद्धा
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
पर्यङ्कम्bed, couch
पर्यङ्कम्:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootपर्यङ्क
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
आसीनाम्seated, sitting
आसीनाम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootआस्
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular, Past active participle (क्त), Parasmaipada (active)
सर्वall
सर्व:
TypeAdjective
Rootसर्व
FormNeuter, Uninflected (compound member), —
आभरणornament, jewelry
आभरण:
TypeNoun
Rootआभरण
FormNeuter, Uninflected (compound member), —
भूषिताम्adorned, decorated
भूषिताम्:
Karma
TypeVerb
Rootभूष्
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular, Past passive participle (क्त), Passive sense

भीष्म उवाच

B
Bhīṣma
A
an old woman (vṛddhā)
B
bed/couch (paryakaka)
O
ornaments/jewelry (ābharaṇa)

Educational Q&A

The verse highlights how external splendor can coexist with physical decline, prompting an ethical reminder to honor dignity and discern inner worth rather than judging by age, decay, or outward display.

In Bhishma’s narration, someone arrives at a place and sees an elderly woman seated on a bed, dressed in clean clothing and richly ornamented—setting up a scene that may lead to counsel or a moral illustration.