Aṣṭāvakra–Strī-saṃvāda: Dhṛti, hospitality, and a dispute on autonomy
तत्राश्रमपद्द दिव्यं ददर्श भगवानथ,वहाँ भगवान् अष्टावक्रने एक दिव्य आश्रम देखा। उस आश्रमके चारों ओर नाना प्रकारके सुवर्णमय एवं रत्नभूषित पर्वत शोभा पा रहे थे। वहाँकी मणिमयी भूमिपर कई सुन्दर बावड़ियाँ बनी थीं
tatrāśramapadaṁ divyaṁ dadarśa bhagavān atha |
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भीष्म उवाच
The verse highlights how a dharmic, spiritually potent place is portrayed as naturally auspicious—beauty, order, and even wealth (gold, gems, well-water) appear as offerings to righteousness rather than as objects of conquest. It frames prosperity as legitimate when it supports sanctity and restraint.
In Bhishma’s narration, the sage (identified in the accompanying gloss as Ashtavakra) arrives at a location and beholds a marvelous hermitage-site, described with jewel-like terrain, golden and gem-adorned mountains, and many beautiful stepwells.