Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
दरिद्रं व्याधितं दीनमध्वना परिकर्शितम् | पतिं पुत्रमिवोषपास्ते सा नारी धर्मभागिनी
daridraṁ vyādhitaṁ dīnam adhvanā parikarśitam | patiṁ putram ivoṣapāste sā nārī dharmabhāginī ||
Maheśwara bersabda: Walau suaminya miskin, sakit, papa, dan letih oleh derita perjalanan, perempuan yang melayaninya seperti melayani putranya sendiri—dialah yang menjadi peserta dalam dharma, pemilik bagian dari kebajikan.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Dharma in household life is shown through compassionate, steadfast service: a wife who cares for her husband even in poverty, illness, and hardship is called dharmabhāginī, a true participant in righteousness.
Śrīmaheśvara is describing the ideal conduct of a devoted wife, emphasizing her attentive care for a husband who is weakened by destitution, disease, and the strain of travel.