Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 26
Aṣṭāvakra and the Woman: Disclosure, Permission, and Marital Resolution (अनुशासन पर्व, अध्याय २२)
यथा पर शक्तिधुतेर्न व्युत्थास्ये कथंचन । न रोचते हि व्युत्थानं सत्येनासादयाम्यहम्
yathā paraśaktidhuter na vyutthāsye kathaṃcana | na rocate hi vyutthānaṃ satyenāsādayāmy aham ||
Hangga’t ako’y pinanghahawakan ng sukdulang lakas ng kalooban at matatag na paninindigan, hindi ako matitinag sa anumang paraan. Hindi ko sinasang-ayunan ang paglihis sa dharma; kaya’t makakamtan ko ang itinakdang maging asawa ko sa pamamagitan lamang ng katotohanan at ng paraang naaayon sa batas at dangal.
अष्टावक्र उवाच
Educational Q&A
Steadfast self-control (śakti) and resolve (dhṛti) should support one’s commitment to dharma; desired ends—such as marriage—are to be pursued through truth and lawful conduct, not through transgression.
Aṣṭāvakra declares that he will not be diverted from righteous conduct. He insists that he will achieve his goal—obtaining the intended wife—only by adhering to truthfulness and without violating dharma.