Shloka 13
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
सा तस्य दृष्टवैव मनो जहार शुभलोचना । वनराजी यथा चित्रा वसन्ते कुसुमाचिता,जैसे वसंतऋतुमें सुन्दर फूलोंसे सजी हुई विचित्र वनश्रेणी मनुष्यके मनको लुभा लेती है, उसी प्रकार उस शुभलोचना मुनिकुमारीने दर्शनमात्रसे अष्टावक्रका मन चुरा लिया था
sā tasya dṛṣṭvaiva mano jahāra śubhalocanā | vanarājī yathā citrā vasante kusumācitā ||
Bhishma berkata: Gadis bermata indah itu merampas hatinya sebaik sahaja dia memandangnya. Seperti rimba yang beraneka warna, dihiasi bunga-bungaan pada musim bunga, yang memikat fikiran tanpa dapat ditahan, demikianlah dia—dengan pandangan semata-mata—menawan jiwa Aṣṭāvakra.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the mind’s susceptibility to sensory beauty and the suddenness with which attachment can arise; ethically, it points toward the need for vigilance and self-restraint so that attraction does not overpower discernment (viveka) and dharmic conduct.
Bhishma describes how, upon seeing a beautiful, fair-eyed ascetic maiden, Ashtavakra’s mind was immediately captivated, using the simile of a spring forest richly adorned with flowers that naturally enchants the viewer.