Shloka 34
अध्याय ७४: अक्रोध–क्षमा–निवासनीति
Chapter 74: Non-anger, Forbearance, and the Ethics of Residence
स्वयं प्राप्तेति मामेवं॑ मावमंस्था: पतिव्रताम् । अर्चाह नार्चयसि मां स्वयं भार्यामुपस्थिताम्,'जो स्वयं अपने आत्माका तिरस्कार करके कुछ-का-कुछ समझता और करता है, देवता भी उसका भला नहीं कर सकते और उसका आत्मा भी उसके हितका साधन नहीं कर सकता। मैं स्वयं आपके पास आयी हूँ, ऐसा समझकर मुझ पतिव्रता पत्नीका तिरस्कार न कीजिये। मैं आपके द्वारा आदर पानेयोग्य हूँ और स्वयं आपके निकट आयी हुई आपहीकी पत्नी हूँ, तथापि आप मेरा आदर नहीं करते हैं
svayaṃ prāpteti mām evaṃ māvamamsthāḥ pativratām | arcāha nārcayasi māṃ svayaṃ bhāryām upasthitām ||
Do not slight me, thinking, “She has come of her own accord,” for I am a wife steadfast in fidelity. Though I have presented myself here as your own wife, you still do not honor me as one worthy of reverence. One who despises his own self and acts in delusion cannot be helped even by the gods; even his own inner self cannot become the means of his welfare. Therefore, do not dishonor me, who have come to you of my own will as your devoted wife.
दुष्यन्त उवाच
Educational Q&A
Contempt toward a devoted spouse is adharma, and self-contempt or deluded self-disregard blocks one’s welfare—neither divine aid nor one’s own inner resources can effectively help a person who undermines right judgment and self-respect.
In the Duṣyanta–Śakuntalā episode, the wife appeals for recognition and respectful acceptance, arguing that her voluntary approach should not be used as a pretext to dishonor her, since she stands as his lawful, faithful wife deserving reverence.