Aṣṭāvakra and the Woman: Disclosure, Permission, and Marital Resolution (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय २२)
दिव्यं च विधिवच्चक्रे सोपचारं मुनेस्तदा । स तेन सुसुखोष्णेन तस्या हस्तसुखेन च
divyaṃ ca vidhivaccakre sopacāraṃ munestadā | sa tena susukhoṣṇena tasyā hastasukhena ca
Disse Bhīṣma: Em seguida, ela realizou o rito de modo esplêndido e conforme a prescrição, prestando ao sábio as honras devidas. E ele foi confortado tanto por aquele serviço agradavelmente morno quanto pelo toque suave e apaziguador de suas mãos.
भीष्म उवाच
Dharma is expressed through vidhivat conduct—doing what is proper and prescribed—and through sopacāra, respectful hospitality and service to worthy guests such as sages.
Bhishma describes a scene where someone renders proper, rule-bound honors and service to a sage, and the recipient is eased and comforted by warm attentions and by the soothing touch of a woman’s hands.