ऋश्यशृङ्ग-आनयनम्
Bringing Ṛśyaśṛṅga to Aṅga and His Marriage to Śāntā
आपृच्छ्य च तदा विप्रं व्रतचर्यां निवेद्य च।गच्छन्ति स्मापदेशात्ता भीतास्तस्य पितुस्स्त्रिय:।।।।
āpṛcchya ca tadā vipraṃ vratacaryāṃ nivedya ca |
gacchanti smāpadeśāt tā bhītās tasya pituḥ striyaḥ ||
Bấy giờ, sau khi cáo biệt vị Bà-la-môn và lấy việc giữ giới nguyện làm cớ, những người nữ ấy—vì sợ phụ thân của chàng—liền vội vã rời đi.
The ladies apprehensive of (the arrival of) his father took leave of him on the pretext of observance of (evening) rites.
The verse contrasts dharmic language (vrata) with strategic concealment; it invites reflection on satya (truthfulness) versus expedient speech.
Fearing discovery by Ṛśyaśṛṅga’s father, the women withdraw, politely taking leave and offering a religious excuse.
Externally, decorum and politeness; implicitly, calculated caution.