Shloka 53
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
व्रतं चरति या नित्यं दुश्चवरं लघुसत्त्वया । पतिचित्ता पतिहिता सा पतिव्रतभागिनी
vrataṃ carati yā nityaṃ duścaraṃ laghu-sattvayā | pati-cittā pati-hitā sā pati-vrata-bhāginī ||
Wika ni Maheshvara: “Yaong babae na, bagama’t marupok ang lakas, ay palagiang nagsasagawa at nag-iingat ng isang mahirap na panata—na ang isip ay nakatuon sa asawa at ang mga gawa ay para sa kapakanan niya—siya ang tunay na kabahagi sa dangal at gantimpala ng isang pativratā (asawang tapat at nakalaan sa asawa).”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse defines pativratā not merely as a label but as a lived discipline: steadfast practice of a demanding vow, mental fidelity (pati-cittā), and active commitment to the husband’s welfare (pati-hitā). Ethical worth is tied to sustained conduct and intention.
Śrīmaheśvara is describing the qualities by which a woman is recognized as truly participating in the merit/status of a pativratā—emphasizing continuous observance of a difficult discipline even when physically delicate, along with husband-centered intention and beneficent action.