Shloka 12
Śrī-nivāsa: Traits and Conditions for the Abode of Prosperity (श्री-निवासः)
परस्य वेश्माभिरतामलज्जा- मेवंविधां तां परिवर्जयामि । जो घरके बर्तनोंको सुव्यवस्थित रूपसे न रखकर इधर-उधर बिखेरे रहती हैं, सोच- समझकर काम नहीं करती हैं, सदा अपने पतिके प्रतिकूल ही बोलती हैं, दूसरोंके घरोंमें घूमने-फिरनेमें आसक्त रहती हैं और लज्जाको सर्वथा छोड़ बैठती हैं, उनको मैं त्याग देती हूँ ।।
bhīṣma uvāca | parasya veśmābhiratām alajjām evaṃvidhāṃ tāṃ parivarjayāmi | pāpām acokṣām avalehinīṃ ca vyapetadhairyāṃ kalahapriyāṃ ca ||
Bhishma disse: “A mulher apegada a perambular pelas casas alheias, sem pudor e de tal disposição—eu a evito deliberadamente. Do mesmo modo, aquela que é pecaminosa na conduta, sem recato, dada a lamber e devorar com avidez o que não é seu, que perdeu a firmeza de espírito e se deleita na discórdia—tal mulher eu rejeito.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma frames household and social dharma in terms of self-restraint and propriety: one should avoid a spouse/partner whose habits show shamelessness, instability, greed, and a love of quarrel, because such traits undermine harmony, trust, and ethical life.
In Anushasana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhishthira on dharma. Here he lists undesirable traits in a woman (as a prospective wife/householder), stating that he would shun one who frequents others’ homes, lacks modesty, behaves sinfully, is greedy, unstable, and quarrelsome.