Shloka 14
Śrī-nivāsa: Traits and Conditions for the Abode of Prosperity (श्री-निवासः)
वसामि नारीषु पतिव्रतासु कल्याणशीलासु विभूषितासु । जो स्त्रियाँ सत्यवादिनी और अपनी सौम्य वेश-भूषाके कारण देखनेमें प्रिय होती हैं, जो सौभाग्यशालिनी, सदगुणवती, पतिव्रता एवं कल्याणमय आचार-विचारवाली होती हैं तथा जो सदा वस्त्राभूषणोंसे विभूषित रहती हैं, ऐसी स्त्रियोंमें मैं सदा निवास करती हूँ ।।
bhīṣma uvāca |
vasāmi nārīṣu pativratāsu kalyāṇaśīlāsu vibhūṣitāsu |
Wika ni Bhishma: “Naninirahan ako sa mga babaeng tapat sa kanilang asawa, may mapalad na asal, at maringal ang ayos. Sa mga babaeng nagsasabi ng katotohanan, kaaya-ayang pagmasdan dahil sa mahinahon at marangal na pananamit, pinagpala, may kagandahang-asal, matatag sa katapatan sa pag-aasawa, at laging maayos na may angkop na kasuotan at alahas—doon ako patuloy na nananahan.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse praises the ethical ideal of pativratā-dharma: truthfulness, auspicious conduct, virtue, and dignified self-presentation. It implies that prosperity/auspiciousness is sustained where such disciplined and righteous conduct is present.
In Anuśāsana Parva, Bhishma instructs Yudhiṣṭhira on dharma. Here he describes the ‘abode’ of auspiciousness—stating that it resides among virtuous, faithful, and well-conducted women—reinforcing social and moral ideals within his broader ethical discourse.