Shloka 9
Śāṇḍilī–Sumanā-saṃvāda: Sat-strī-samudācāra and Pati-dharma
Conduct of the Virtuous Wife
व्यास उवाच अतिच्छन्दातिवादाभ्यां स्मयो5यं समुपागत: । असत्यं वेदवचनं कस्माद् वेदोडनृतं वदेत्
vyāsa uvāca | aticchandātivādābhyāṃ smayo 'yaṃ samupāgataḥ | asatyaṃ vedavacanaṃ kasmād vedaḥ anṛtaṃ vadet ||
व्यास उवाच—अतिच्छन्दातिवादाभ्यां स्मयोऽयं समुपागतः। असत्यं वेदवचनं कस्माद् वेदोऽनृतं वदेत्॥
व्यास उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse affirms the ethical and doctrinal principle that Vedic testimony is intrinsically truthful; therefore, practices praised by the Veda—such as generosity and hospitality—are to be regarded as reliable guides to dharma.
Vyāsa explains his visible joy and astonishment as arising from being honored in two ways: by exceptional hospitality (aticchanda) and by exalted verbal praise (ativāda). He then underscores that the Veda’s words cannot be untrue, reinforcing the legitimacy of the values being discussed.