Shloka 723
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
प्रत्युत्थाय च त॑ं विप्रमास्यतामित्युवाच ह । अष्टावक्रने 'स्वस्ति” कहकर उसे आशीर्वाद दिया। वह स्त्री उनके स्वागतके लिये पलँगसे उठकर खड़ी हो गयी और इस प्रकार बोली--“विप्रवर! बैठिये”
pratyutthāya ca taṃ vipram āsatām ity uvāca ha | aṣṭāvakreṇa ‘svasti’ iti uktvā tam āśīrvādam adāt | sā strī tasya satkārārthaṃ palyaṅkāt utthāya sthitā caivam uvāca—“vipravara! āsīyatām” |
ਉਹ ਸਤਿਕਾਰ ਲਈ ਪਲੰਗ ਤੋਂ ਉੱਠ ਕੇ ਖੜੀ ਹੋ ਗਈ ਅਤੇ ਬੋਲੀ—“ਵਿਪ੍ਰਵਰ! ਬੈਠੋ।” ਅਸ਼ਟਾਵਕ੍ਰ ਨੇ “ਸਵਸਤੀ” ਆਖ ਕੇ ਉਸ ਨੂੰ ਆਸ਼ੀਰਵਾਦ ਦਿੱਤਾ।
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse underscores atithi-dharma (the duty of honoring a guest): one should rise, offer a seat, and speak respectfully; in return, the guest offers auspicious blessings—an ethical exchange that sustains social and spiritual order.
A woman host rises from her couch to welcome a brahmin and invites him to sit. Aṣṭāvakra responds with the benedictory word “svasti” and blesses her, marking a formal, dharmic reception.