Shloka 16
किमत्र प्रयोजन वर्तते इत्यथाब्रुवंस्ता: स्त्रिय:,“यहाँ तुम्हारा क्या काम है?' उनके ऐसा पूछनेपर उन स्त्रियोंने कहा--
kim atra prayojanaṁ vartate ity athābruvaṁs tāḥ striyaḥ | “ihāṁ tumhārā kyā kāma hai?” teṣām evaṁ pṛṣṭe tāḥ striyo ’bruvan —
Vaiśaṃpāyana said: “What purpose do you have here?” When they were questioned in this way—‘What business have you here?’—those women replied.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights a basic ethical norm of dialogue: before judging or acting, one asks the purpose and context of another’s presence. It frames inquiry as a legitimate, orderly step in social interaction and boundary-setting.
Vaiśaṃpāyana narrates that someone asks, “What purpose do you have here?” Upon being questioned in this manner, the women present respond, setting up the next part of the episode where their explanation will be given.