Shloka 196
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
तस्माद् बलेन भार्याया रक्षणं स चकार ह । वे यह भी जानते थे कि इन्द्र बड़ा ही पर-स्त्रीलम्पट है, इसलिये वे अपनी स्त्रीकी उनसे यत्नपूर्वक रक्षा करते थे
tasmād balena bhāryāyā rakṣaṇaṃ sa cakāra ha |
Karena itu ia memikul sendiri kewajiban melindungi istrinya dengan segenap kekuatan. Mengetahui bahwa Indra termasyhur gemar mengejar istri orang lain, ia menjaganya dengan kewaspadaan dan upaya yang sungguh-sungguh.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores the householder’s dharma of safeguarding marital fidelity and protecting one’s spouse, coupled with prudent vigilance when faced with known moral dangers.
Bhishma describes a man who, aware of Indra’s reputation for desiring others’ wives, actively and carefully protects his own wife, emphasizing deliberate guarding rather than negligence.