Mahabharata — Ashramavasika Parva, Shloka 516
अश्रमवासिनां विषादः — Lament in Hastināpura after the Elders’ Forest Withdrawal
तद् ब्रूहि त्वं महाभागे यत् ते मनसि वर्तते । तब भगवान् व्यासने उनसे कहा--“महाभागे! तुम्हें किसी कार्यके लिये यदि कुछ कहनेकी इच्छा हो, तुम्हारे मनमें यदि कोई बात उठी हो तो उसे कहो
tad brūhi tvaṁ mahābhāge yat te manasi vartate |
Vaiśaṃpāyana berkata: “Wahai wanita mulia, katakanlah kepadaku apa yang ada dalam hatimu. Jika engkau ingin menyampaikan sesuatu demi suatu tujuan, nyatakanlah dengan terus terang.”
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse encourages truthful, purposeful speech and openness: when a concern or intention arises in the mind, it should be expressed clearly to enable right counsel and dharmic action.
In the course of the Āśramavāsika narrative, the speaker (as framed by Vaiśaṃpāyana) introduces a moment of consultation: a respected person invites a noble woman to state what she is thinking, signaling an impending request, decision, or counsel.
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