Shloka 21
Aṣṭāvakra and the Woman: Disclosure, Permission, and Marital Resolution (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय २२)
पिता रक्षति कौमारे भर्ता रक्षति यौवने । पुत्राश्न॒ स्थाविरे काले नास्ति स्त्रीणां स्वतन्त्रता
pitā rakṣati kaumāre bhartā rakṣati yauvanae | putrā rakṣanti sthavire kāle nāsti strīṇāṁ svatantratā ||
Pada masa kanak-kanak ayah melindunginya; pada masa muda suami melindunginya; dan pada masa tua putra-putranya melindunginya. Maka dikatakan, bagi perempuan tiada kemandirian.
सअद्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse presents a traditional dharma-based model of guardianship: a woman is expected to be under the protection of father, husband, and sons at different life stages, implying limited personal autonomy within that social framework.
Within Anuśāsana Parva’s instructional setting, the speaker states a rule-like maxim about household and social conduct, describing who is responsible for a woman’s protection across childhood, youth, and old age.