Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 13
Vipula’s Guru-Obedience, Divine Flowers, and the Peril of Others’ Oaths (विपुलोपाख्यानम्—पुष्पप्राप्तिः शपथ-प्रसङ्गश्च)
सत्कृतासत्कृताश्चापि विकुर्वन्ति मन: सदा । कस्ता: शक्तो रक्षितुं स्थादिति मे संशयो महान्
satkṛtāsatkṛtāś cāpi vikurvanti manaḥ sadā | kastāḥ śakto rakṣituṃ sthād iti me saṃśayo mahān, mahābāho |
स्त्रियाँ सम्मानित हों या असम्मानित, सदा ही मन में विकार उत्पन्न करती हैं। फिर उनकी रक्षा करने में कौन समर्थ हो सकता है? यही मेरा महान् संशय है।
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical problem: external social measures (honor or dishonor) do not by themselves prevent mental agitation; therefore the deeper issue is mastery of the mind and responsible conduct, not merely controlling others.
Yudhiṣṭhira, addressing a ‘mighty-armed’ interlocutor, voices a doubt about how women can be ‘protected,’ observing that men’s minds are stirred regardless of how women are treated, and seeks guidance on the dharmic resolution.