Shloka 29
Kāṣṭhīlā-Ākhyāna: Ratnāvalī’s Return, Co-wife Dharma, and the Phālguna Propitiation
अस्याः पृष्ठे निविष्टाहं प्रीत्या सह द्विजन्मना । धर्मत स्तेन मद्भर्ता भवेदेषा मतिर्मम ॥ २९ ॥
asyāḥ pṛṣṭhe niviṣṭāhaṃ prītyā saha dvijanmanā | dharmata stena madbhartā bhavedeṣā matirmama || 29 ||
“Nakaupo ako sa kanyang likod, na may pag-ibig, kasama ng dvija (dalawang ulit na isinilang). Ayon sa dharma, ang aking asawa’y maituturing na magnanakaw—iyan ang aking pagkaunawa.”
A woman (narrative speaker within the Adhyaya’s story; exact identity not specified in the provided verse)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: karuna
Secondary Rasa: shanta
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma as a standard of moral discernment: even when affection is present, one should recognize wrongdoing and name it truthfully.
Indirectly, it suggests that devotion and love must remain aligned with dharma; true bhakti in Purāṇic ethics does not excuse adharma but supports truthful, righteous conduct.
No specific Vedāṅga (like Vyākaraṇa, Jyotiṣa, or Kalpa) is taught in this verse; the practical takeaway is dharma-nīti—ethical reasoning applied to real situations.