Shloka 68
Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
नानारूपा: सप्त विभो कन्या: सर्वा मनोहरा: । यां यामपश्यत् कनन््यां वै सा सा तस्य मनो5हरत्,“इस घरमें जो लोग रहते हों, उन्हें यह विदित होना चाहिये कि मैं एक अतिथि यहाँ आया हूँ।” उनके इस प्रकार कहते ही उस घरसे एक साथ सात कन्याएँ निकलीं। वे सब- की-सब भिन्न-भिन्न रूपवाली तथा बड़ी मनोहर थीं। विभो! अष्टावक्र मुनि उनमेंसे जिस- जिस कनन््याकी ओर देखते, वही-वही उनका मन हर लेती थी
nānārūpāḥ sapta vibho kanyāḥ sarvā manoharāḥ | yāṃ yām apaśyat kanyāṃ vai sā sā tasya mano 'harat ||
Bhishma disse: “Ó poderoso, sete donzelas, de formas variadas, todas encantadoras. A donzela que o sábio Aṣṭāvakra contemplava, essa mesma lhe roubava o coração.” A passagem ressalta o poder de prova dos objetos dos sentidos e a necessidade ética de vigilância e autodomínio, mesmo para quem segue uma vida disciplinada.
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a disciplined seeker can be tested by attractive sense-objects; dharma here points toward vigilance, restraint, and guarding the mind from being carried away by fleeting allure.
After the declaration of being an arriving guest (atithi), seven beautiful maidens appear together; Aṣṭāvakra’s gaze falls on one after another, and whichever he looks at becomes the immediate object of his fascination.