13.043
Bhishma said.
Seeing his disciple arrive, Devaśarmā, the one of great brilliance, then spoke these words: "O king, listen to what I say." (13-43-1)
Devaśarmā said.
What great thing have you seen today in that great forest? They know you as skilled, as self and as pleasure indeed. (13-43-2)
Vipula said.
O sage of Brahman, what is that pair, and who are your men, O mighty one? Please tell me also about those who truly know me. (13-43-3)
Devaśarma said.
O Brahman, know that the pair, day and night, indeed revolve like a wheel; that knows your evil deed. (13-43-4)
O wise one, those men who play joyfully with dice—recognize them as the seasons; they know evil deeds. (13-43-5)
Thinking 'let no one know me', one should not trust; O twice-born, a wicked-souled man indeed commits evil deeds in secret. (13-43-6)
Even when a man always commits sinful deeds in secret, the seasons, as well as day and night, observe him thus. (13-43-7)
Seeing you with a joyful smile, not having informed the teacher of the action, they reminded you and spoke as you have heard. (13-43-8)
Day and night, as well as the seasons, constantly know the sinful or auspicious actions in a person, whether of sin or virtue. (13-43-9)
O twice-born, knowing that you have not declared my action which is of the nature of fear arising from transgression, they thus call you so. (13-43-10)
Those worlds would indeed become like those of evil-doers, if, having performed my action, you do not declare what has been done by you. (13-43-11)
Thus, even an ill-behaved woman can be protected, O Brāhmaṇa; and you have not committed any offense. Therefore, I am pleased with you by that. (13-43-12)
If I had seen you behaving wickedly, O best of twice-born, I would have cursed you out of anger; here, there is no deliberation for me. (13-43-13)
Women become attached to men; for men, that purpose is abundant. Otherwise, if you had not protected, a curse would have befallen you and that would have been your state. (13-43-14)
She has been protected by you, my son, and also informed by me; I, who am affectionate to you, dear one, wish you welfare—may you go to heaven. (13-43-15)
Bhishma said.
Having thus spoken, the greatly pleased Devaśarmā, the great sage, rejoiced in heaven together with his wife and disciples. (13-43-16)
O king, the great sage Markandeya formerly narrated this and my narration as another story on the bank of the Ganga. (13-43-17)
Therefore, O Pārtha, I tell you: in all women, both good and bad are always seen. (13-43-18)
O king, these women, who are virtuous, greatly fortunate, respected, and mothers of the world, support this earth of those with sacrificial forests. (13-43-19)
O king, unvirtuous women, those of bad conduct, destroyers of families, and those intent on evil should be recognized by the evil characteristics that are innate to their own bodies. (13-43-20)
In this way, O tiger among kings, protection of women is indeed possible by great souls; otherwise, it is not possible to protect women. (13-43-21)
O tiger among men, these women are indeed sharp and possess fierce valor; among them, in sexual union and intercourse with men, there is no one who is truly called dear. (13-43-22)
O bull among the Bharatas, these duties to be done, actions to be performed, and actions accomplished do not all reside in one man, O son of Pandu. (13-43-23)
O lord of people, neither affection nor envy should be shown by men towards them. One should act with endurance of hardship and adherence to righteousness. (13-43-24)
O joy of the Kauravas, a man acting otherwise would be destroyed. O tiger among kings, strategy is honored everywhere in every way. (13-43-25)
But by that one alone, O king, was great protection given to the woman; no one else in this world of men is able to protect women. (13-43-26)
