Shloka 99
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
यद् यदज्ूं हि सो5पश्यत् तस्या विप्रर्षभस्तदा । नारमत् तत्र तत्रास्य दृष्टी रूपविरागिता,विप्रवर अष्टावक्र उसका जो-जो अंग देखते थे वहाँ-वहाँ उनकी दृष्टि रमती नहीं थी, अपितु उसके रूपसे विरक्त हो उठती थी
yad yad aṅgaṃ hi so ’paśyat tasyā viprarṣabhas tadā | nāramat tatra tatrāsya dṛṣṭī rūpa-virāgitā ||
Bhīṣma berkata: “Apa jua anggota tubuhnya yang dilihat oleh ‘lembu jantan di antara para brāhmaṇa’ itu pada saat itu, pandangannya tidak menemukan kesenangan di sana; sebaliknya, matanya berpaling dalam sikap tanpa nafsu terhadap keelokan lahiriahnya.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights vairāgya (dispassion): ethical strength is shown when perception does not become enslaved by bodily beauty, and the mind remains detached and self-governed.
Bhīṣma describes an eminent brāhmaṇa observing a woman; yet, wherever his eyes fall, he feels no attraction—his gaze turns away in detachment, illustrating disciplined perception.