अध्याय ७४: अक्रोध–क्षमा–निवासनीति
Chapter 74: Non-anger, Forbearance, and the Ethics of Residence
(अनृतं वाप्यनिष्टं वा दुरुक्त वापि दुष्कृतम् । त्वयाप्येवं विशालाक्षि क्षन्तव्यं मम दुर्वच: ।। क्षान्त्या पतिकृते नार्य: पातिव्रत्यं ब्रजन्ति ता: ।) “विशाल नेत्रोंवाली देवि! इसी प्रकार तुम्हें भी मेरे कहे हुए असत्य, अप्रिय, कट एवं पापपूर्ण दुर्वचनोंके लिये मुझे क्षमा कर देना चाहिये। पतिके लिये क्षमाभाव धारण करनेसे स्त्रियाँ पातिव्रत्य-धर्मको प्राप्त होती हैं'। तामेवमुकक््त्वा राजर्षिर्दिष्यन्तो महिषीं प्रियाम् । वासोभिरन्नपानैश्व पूजयामास भारत,जनमेजय! अपनी प्यारी रानीसे ऐसी बात कहकर राजर्षि दुष्यन्तने अन्न, पान और वस्त्र आदिके द्वारा उसका आदर-सत्कार किया
anṛtaṃ vāpy aniṣṭaṃ vā duruktaṃ vāpi duṣkṛtam | tvayāpy evaṃ viśālākṣi kṣantavyaṃ mama durvacaḥ || kṣāntyā patikṛte nāryaḥ pātivratynam vrajanti tāḥ ||
Vaiśampāyana said: “O large-eyed lady, even if my words have been untrue, unwelcome, harshly spoken, or sinful in deed, you should forgive these cruel utterances of mine. For by cultivating forbearance for the sake of her husband, a woman attains the vow and stature of devoted wifely conduct (pātivratya).” Having spoken thus to his beloved queen, the royal sage Duṣyanta honored her, O Bharata Janamejaya, with garments, food, drink, and other offerings.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
The verse emphasizes ethical restraint in speech and the moral power of forgiveness: even when words are false, unpleasant, harsh, or sinful, one should seek and grant pardon; forbearance, especially within marriage, is presented as a means to uphold pātivratya-dharma.
Duṣyanta addresses his queen with a request for forgiveness for his hurtful words and frames her patience as a virtue aligned with wifely dharma; afterward he honors her with gifts such as garments, food, and drink, signaling reconciliation and respect.