Shloka 42
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
परुषाण्यपि चोक्ता या दृष्टा दृष्टेन चक्षुषा । सुप्रसन्नमुखी भर्तुर्या नारी सा पतिव्रता
paruṣāṇy api coktā yā dṛṣṭā dṛṣṭena cakṣuṣā | suprasannamukhī bhartur yā nārī sā pativratā ||
Wika ni Mahādeva: Kahit magsalita ang asawa ng mabibigat na salita, o tumingin sa kanya nang mapanisi, ang babaeng nananatiling payapa at masayahin ang mukha sa harap ng asawa—magiliw at di natitinag—ay dapat makilalang pativratā, ang asawang matatag sa panatang katapatan at sa debosyon sa wastong asal. Ipinapakita ng taludtod na ang ganitong katatagan ay hindi lamang panlabas na pagsunod, kundi isang disiplinang etikal: paninindigan sa paglilingkod at mabuting kalooban sa loob ng pag-aasawa.
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines pativratā-dharma as steadfastness and gracious composure toward one’s husband even under provocation—harsh speech or a critical look—presenting inner restraint and constancy as the ethical hallmark of devoted marital conduct.
In Anuśāsana Parva’s didactic setting, Śrīmahēśvara (Mahādeva) is speaking in a prescriptive, moral-register voice, offering a criterion by which a woman is recognized as pativratā: her unwavering, serene demeanor toward her husband despite unpleasant treatment.