Shloka 9
Amba approaches the Paraśurāma context; Hotravāhana’s counsel and Akṛtavraṇa’s report (अम्बोपाख्यानम्—रामदर्शनप्रसङ्गः)
राजपुत्र्या: प्रकृत्या च कुमार्यास्तव भामिनि । भद्रे दोषा हि विद्यन्ते बहवो वरवर्णिनि
rājaputryāḥ prakṛtyā ca kumāryās tava bhāmini | bhadre doṣā hi vidyante bahavo varavarṇini ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Wahai wanita bergejolak hati, karena kodratmu sebagai putri raja dan sebagai gadis yang belum bersuami, wahai yang mulia dan berparas elok, memang terdapat banyak kekurangan padamu.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a moral admonition: Bhīṣma criticizes the addressee’s disposition by appealing to perceived social expectations of a princess and an unmarried maiden, implying that certain behaviors are considered blameworthy within that ethical-social framework.
Bhīṣma is speaking directly to a woman, addressing her with contrasting epithets (bhāmini, bhadre, varavarṇini) while rebuking her character, stating that many faults are found in her nature as a royal daughter and as a maiden.