Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 51
Adhyāya 152 — Bhīṣma’s Authorization for Yudhiṣṭhira’s Return to the Capital (नगरप्रवेशानुज्ञा)
श्वश्रूश्वशुरयो: पादौ जोषयन्ती गुणान्विता । मातापितृपरा नित्यं या नारी सा तपोधना
śvaśrūśvaśurayoḥ pādau joṣayantī guṇānvitā | mātāpitr̥parā nityaṁ yā nārī sā tapodhanā ||
摩诃提婆说道：那位女子，具足善德，恒常侍奉并敬礼婆母与公翁之足，又对自身父母亦长怀孝敬与奉事——此女被视为富有“苦行之财”（tapas）。
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches that sustained reverential service to one’s in-laws, together with unwavering devotion to one’s own parents, is itself a form of tapas; such conduct is praised as a spiritual ‘wealth’ grounded in virtue and household dharma.
Śrī Mahādeva is instructing about ethical ideals within household life, describing the qualities and conduct by which a woman is honored—specifically, her consistent service to elders and steadfast filial devotion.