Shloka 16
Strī-satkāra (On honoring women) — Mahābhārata 13.46
रक्षिता च त्वया पुत्र मम चापि निवेदिता । अहं ते प्रीतिमांस्तात स्वस्थ: स्वर्ग गमिष्यसि
rakṣitā ca tvayā putra mama cāpi niveditā | ahaṃ te prītimāṃs tāta svasthaḥ svarga gamiṣyasi ||
विपुल ने कहा— “पुत्र! तुमने इसकी रक्षा की और इसे मुझे यथावत् सौंप दिया। तात! मैं तुमसे अत्यन्त प्रसन्न हूँ। स्वस्थ रहकर प्रस्थान करो; तुम स्वर्ग को प्राप्त होओगे।”
विपुल उवाच
Educational Q&A
Protecting another—especially one entrusted to one’s care—and returning them safely is a dharmic act that earns gratitude and spiritual merit; such righteous conduct is praised as leading to auspicious destiny (svarga).
Vipula addresses a younger person as ‘son,’ acknowledging that a woman (implied by the feminine ‘rakṣitā’) has been safeguarded and returned to him. He expresses heartfelt approval and blesses the addressee with peace and the promise of attaining heaven.