Shloka 16
Aṣṭāvakra and the Woman: Disclosure, Permission, and Marital Resolution (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय २२)
अद्टावक्र उवाच हरन्ति दोषजातानि नरं जात॑ यथेच्छकम् | प्रभवामि सदा धृत्या भद्रे स्वशयनं व्रज
aṣṭāvakra uvāca | haranti doṣajātāni naraṃ jātaṃ yathecchakam | prabhavāmi sadā dhṛtyā bhadre svaśayanaṃ vraja |
Aṣṭāvakra berkata: “Wahai wanita mulia, tumpukan cela dan dosa menyeret orang yang hidup menuruti kehendak semata. Aku senantiasa menaklukkan diri dengan keteguhan pengendalian. Karena itu, kembalilah ke pembaringanmu sendiri.”
अद्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Unrestrained, whim-driven living invites moral faults and sinful tendencies; steadfast dhṛti (firm self-control) protects one’s conduct and keeps the mind governed.
Aṣṭāvakra addresses a woman respectfully, warns that indulgence in mere desire leads to wrongdoing, asserts his own restraint through fortitude, and instructs her to return to her proper place (her bed).