Shloka 19
Aṣṭāvakra and the Woman: Disclosure, Permission, and Marital Resolution (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय २२)
न दोषो भविता चैव सत्येनैतद् ब्रवीम्यहम् । स्वतन्त्रां मां विजानीहि यो<धर्म: सो<सस््तु वै मयि । त्वय्यावेशितचित्ता च स्वतन्त्रास्मि भजस्व माम्
na doṣo bhavitā caiva satyenaitad bravīmy aham | svatantrāṁ māṁ vijānīhi yo 'dharmaḥ so 'stu vai mayi | tvayy āveśita-cittā ca svatantrāsmī bhajasva mām ||
“Walang sisi ang darating sa iyo—ito’y sinasabi ko nang tapat. Kilalanin mo akong kumikilos ayon sa sarili kong malayang pasya; kung may anumang laban sa dharma sa gawaing ito, sa akin lamang mapasa ang kasalanan. Ang aking isip ay lubos na nakatuon sa iyo. Malaya ako sa pagpiling ito; kaya tanggapin mo ako.”
अद्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse emphasizes ethical agency and accountability: the speaker insists the other party should not incur blame, asserts her own independent choice, and takes responsibility for any potential adharma, grounding the claim in truthfulness.
In a persuasive appeal, the speaker addresses another person directly, asking to be accepted. She reassures them that no fault will attach to them, declares her autonomy, and states that her mind is fixed on them, shifting any moral burden onto herself.