Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 12
Aṣṭāvakra and the Woman: Disclosure, Permission, and Marital Resolution (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय २२)
अष्टावक्र उवाच न भठद्रे परदारेषु मनो मे सम्प्रसज्जति । उत्तिष्ठ भद्रे भद्रं ते स्वयं वै विरमस्व च
aṣṭāvakra uvāca na bhadre paradāreṣu mano me samprasajjati | uttiṣṭha bhadre bhadraṁ te svayaṁ vai viramasva ca ||
अष्टावक्र बोले—भद्रे! परायी स्त्रियों में मेरा मन आसक्त नहीं होता। तुम्हारा कल्याण हो; यहाँ से उठो और स्वयं ही इस पापकर्म से विरत हो जाओ।
अष्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches restraint and fidelity to dharma: one should not let the mind become attached to another’s spouse, and one should voluntarily withdraw from actions recognized as sinful.
Aṣṭāvakra addresses a woman who is attempting an improper advance or urging an illicit relationship. He refuses, affirms his non-attachment to another’s wife, and instructs her to leave and abandon the wrongful intention.