Shloka 85
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
रमणीये वने विप्र सर्वकामफलप्रदे । त्वद्वशाहं भविष्यामि रंस्यसे च मया सह,“ब्रह्मन्! सम्पूर्ण मनोवाज्छित फलको देनेवाले इस रमणीय वनमें मैं आपके अधीन होकर रहूँगी। आप मेरे साथ रमण कीजिये
ramaṇīye vane vipra sarvakāmaphalaprade | tvadvaśāhaṁ bhaviṣyāmi raṁsyase ca mayā saha ||
Aṣṭāvakra berkata: “Wahai brāhmaṇa, di rimba yang indah ini, yang mengurniakan hasil bagi setiap keinginan, aku akan tetap berada di bawah kuasamu. Ambillah kesenangan bersamaku.”
सअद्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse foregrounds an ethical test: alluring circumstances and promises of wish-fulfilment can invite a lapse from dharma. The implied lesson is the need for restraint and discernment, especially for a brāhmaṇa/ascetic whose conduct is expected to be governed by self-mastery rather than desire.
A speaker (introduced here as Aṣṭāvakra) addresses a brāhmaṇa in a beautiful, wish-fulfilling forest and offers submission and companionship for enjoyment. The scene functions as a moment of seduction/temptation, setting up a moral or spiritual trial for the brāhmaṇa.