Shloka 122
अध्याय ७४: अक्रोध–क्षमा–निवासनीति
Chapter 74: Non-anger, Forbearance, and the Ethics of Residence
कृतो लोकपरोक्षो<यं सम्बन्धो वै त्वया सह । तस्मादेतन्मया देवि त्वच्छुद्धयर्थ विचारितम्,*देवि! मैंने तुम्हारे साथ जो विवाह-सम्बन्ध स्थापित किया था, उसे साधारण जनता नहीं जानती थी। अतः तुम्हारी शुद्धिके लिये ही मैंने यह उपाय सोचा था
kṛto lokaparokṣo 'yaṃ sambandho vai tvayā saha | tasmād etan mayā devi tvacchuddhyarthaṃ vicāritam ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “This bond that I formed with you was hidden from the eyes of the world. Therefore, O lady, it is precisely for the sake of your vindication and purity of reputation that I have devised and considered this course of action.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights an ethical concern: when a relationship is concealed from society, the burden of suspicion can fall disproportionately on the woman; therefore, actions should be guided by dharma to protect and clarify her integrity and public standing.
The speaker explains that the marital/union bond with the addressed woman was not publicly known, and so he has planned a specific measure to ensure her ‘śuddhi’—her vindication and freedom from blame in the eyes of others.