Shloka 9
Nīti on Friendship (Mitra), Discretion, Restraint, Health-Regimens, Prosperity (Śrī), and Family Dharma
क्षणो नास्ति रहो नास्ति न स्ति प्रार्थयिता जनः / तेन शौनक नारीणां सतीत्वमुपजायते
kṣaṇo nāsti raho nāsti na sti prārthayitā janaḥ / tena śaunaka nārīṇāṃ satītvamupajāyate
ഒരു ക്ഷണവും ഏകാന്തമില്ല, രഹസ്യസ്ഥലമില്ല, അവരുടെ പക്ഷത്ത് അപേക്ഷിക്കുന്നവനും ഇല്ല; അതിനാൽ, ഹേ ശൗനക, സ്ത്രീകളുടെ സതീത്വം സ്ഥാപിതമാകുന്നു.
Narrator addressing Śaunaka (Sauti/reciter in a Śaunaka-framed discourse tradition)
Concept: Social control and lack of agency are presented as mechanisms by which 'satītvam' is maintained/recognized.
Vedantic Theme: Guṇa-bound social identity (upādhi) shaping conduct and reputation rather than inner Self (ātman).
Application: Read as a caution about confusing external constraint and reputation with inner virtue; cultivate ethical discernment and protect the vulnerable from coercive structures.
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: bibhatsa
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.114.10-13 (continuation on women/courtesans and social dangers)
FAQs
This verse frames satītvam as a dharmic virtue upheld through constant accountability—where secrecy and private excuses are absent, conduct is expected to remain restrained and faithful.
Indirectly: it emphasizes ethical self-governance and the idea that actions are not truly hidden—supporting the Purāṇic theme that moral conduct shapes consequences beyond this life.
Live as if actions are accountable—cultivate integrity in private and public, and treat dharmic commitments (relationships, vows, responsibilities) as requiring consistency rather than secrecy.