Shloka 8
Vipula’s Yogic Protection of the Guru’s Household (विपुलस्य योगरक्षा / Vipulasya Yogarakṣā)
विदितास्ते स्त्रियो याश्व॒ यादृशा श्व॒ स््वभावत: । न मामहसि देवर्षे नियोक्तुं कार्य ईदृशे
Bhīṣma uvāca: viditās te striyo yāś ca yādṛśāś ca svabhāvataḥ | na mām arhasi devarṣe niyoktuṁ kārya īdṛśe ||
“Batid mo na kung ano ang mga babae sa mundong ito at kung ano ang likas nilang pagkatao. Kaya, O banal na rishi, huwag mo akong italaga sa ganitong gawain.”
भीष्म उवाच
Educational Q&A
Bhishma appeals to the seer’s prior knowledge of worldly human dispositions and argues that, given the ethical and practical complications involved, he should not be compelled or assigned to a delicate task. The emphasis is on prudence and moral responsibility in assigning duties.
Bhishma is responding to a divine seer and declines an assignment, stating that the seer already understands the nature and tendencies of women in worldly life; therefore, the seer should not press Bhishma into undertaking such a matter.