Shloka 26
Sāvitrī–Satyavān Vivāha: Kanyāpradāna and Āśrama-Śīla (सावित्री-सत्यवान्विवाहः)
हता वै स्त्रीस्वभावेन शुक्लचारित्रभूषणा । सा तं परुषमारब्धा वक्तुं साध्वी पतिव्रता,लक्ष्मणकी यह बात सुनकर रोती हुई सीताने उन्हें संदेहकी दृष्टिसे देखा। यद्यपि शुद्ध सदाचार ही उनका आभूषण था। वे साध्वी और पतिव्रता थीं; तथापि स्त्री स््वभाववश उस समय उनकी बुद्धि मारी गयी। उन्होंने लक्ष्मणको कठोर बातें सुनानी आरम्भ कीं --
hatā vai strīsvabhāvena śuklacāritrabhūṣaṇā | sā taṃ paruṣam ārabdhā vaktuṃ sādhvī pativratā ||
Markandeya said: Though she was adorned with spotless conduct, her judgment was, for that moment, overcome by the impulsiveness natural to her womanly condition. That virtuous, faithful wife then began to address him with harsh words.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
Even a person established in purity and marital fidelity can, under emotional pressure, lapse into harsh speech; the verse highlights the ethical need for restraint (vāg-niyama) and vigilance over one’s mind, especially in moments of fear, suspicion, or grief.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a virtuous wife whose normally spotless character is momentarily eclipsed by agitation; she begins to speak sharply to a man present before her, indicating a sudden turn from composed dharmic conduct to emotionally driven reproach.