Shloka 5
Devaśarmā–Vipula Dialogue on Ahorātra–Ṛtu as Moral Witnesses (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय ४३)
क्षुरधारा विषं सर्पो वल्विरित्येकतः स्त्रिय: । प्रजा इमा महाबाहो धार्मिक्य इति न: श्रुतम्
kṣuradhārā viṣaṃ sarpo valvir ity ekataḥ striyaḥ | prajā imā mahābāho dhārmikyā iti naḥ śrutam ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Tepi pisau cukur, racun, ular, dan api—wanita dikatakan serupa dengan semuanya itu sekaligus. Namun, wahai yang berlengan perkasa, kami pun telah mendengar bahwa wanita-wanita inilah yang pada hakikatnya bersifat dhārmikī (berdharma).”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse juxtaposes a harsh proverbial warning about the potential danger associated with women (likened to razor, poison, serpent, fire) with a counter-tradition affirming their capacity for righteousness. Ethically, it signals that inherited stereotypes exist, yet dharma requires a more balanced recognition of women’s moral agency and virtue.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s instructional setting, Bhīṣma continues advising the king on dharma. Here he cites a traditional saying that portrays women as perilous, then immediately notes another received teaching that calls them dhārmikī, setting up a nuanced discussion rather than a one-sided condemnation.