Shloka 13
Vipula’s Guru-Obedience, Divine Flowers, and the Peril of Others’ Oaths (विपुलोपाख्यानम्—पुष्पप्राप्तिः शपथ-प्रसङ्गश्च)
सत्कृतासत्कृताश्चापि विकुर्वन्ति मन: सदा । कस्ता: शक्तो रक्षितुं स्थादिति मे संशयो महान्
satkṛtāsatkṛtāś cāpi vikurvanti manaḥ sadā | kastāḥ śakto rakṣituṃ sthād iti me saṃśayo mahān, mahābāho |
सत्कृतासत्कृताश्चापि विकुर्वन्ति मनः सदा । कस्ताः शक्तो रक्षितुं स्थादिति मे संशयो महान् ॥
युधिछिर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames an ethical problem: external social measures (honor or dishonor) do not by themselves prevent mental agitation; therefore the deeper issue is mastery of the mind and responsible conduct, not merely controlling others.
Yudhiṣṭhira, addressing a ‘mighty-armed’ interlocutor, voices a doubt about how women can be ‘protected,’ observing that men’s minds are stirred regardless of how women are treated, and seeks guidance on the dharmic resolution.