Shloka 23
The Glory of the Devoted Wife (Pativratā) and the Māṇḍavya Curse: Sunrise Halted and Restored
न गच्छति वरारोहा तदा मे निधनं हितम् । श्रुत्वा तेनेरितं वाक्यं साध्वी वचनमब्रवीत्
na gacchati varārohā tadā me nidhanaṃ hitam | śrutvā teneritaṃ vākyaṃ sādhvī vacanamabravīt
“Jika wanita jelita itu tidak pergi, maka kematian lebih baik bagiku.” Mendengar kata-kata yang diucapkannya, perempuan suci itu pun menjawab.
Narrator (introducing a dialogue); the quoted line is spoken by an unnamed male speaker; the response is by a sādhvī (virtuous woman).
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Sandhi Resolution Notes: teneritaṃ → tena + īritam; vacanamabravīt → vacanam + abravīt.
FAQs
A man declares that if the “fair lady” does not go, he would rather die; the narrator then states that the virtuous woman, having heard him, begins her reply.
It frames a moral exchange: an emotionally charged statement is immediately met with the poised response of a “sādhvī,” signaling restraint, virtue, and the importance of measured speech in dharmic dialogue.
No. This verse is focused on dialogue setup and character portrayal rather than naming places or deities.