13.046
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
prācetasyasya vacanaṃ kīrtayanti purāvidaḥ। yasyāḥ kiñcin nādadate jñātayo na sa vikrayaḥ ॥13-46-1॥
The knowers of ancient times praise the statement of the son of Pracetas: that which the relatives do not take anything from is not a sale. (13-46-1)
arhaṇaṃ tat-kumārīṇām ānṛśaṃsyatamaṃ ca tat। sarvaṃ ca pratideyaṃ syāt kanyāyai tad aśeṣataḥ ॥13-46-2॥
That honouring of maidens, which is most compassionate, and all of that should be given entirely to the maiden. (13-46-2)
pitṛbhir bhrātṛbhiś caiva śvaśurair atha devaraiḥ। pūjyā lālayitavyāś ca bahukalyāṇam īpsubhiḥ॥13-46-3॥
Women should be honored and cherished by fathers, brothers, fathers-in-law, and brothers-in-law, and by all those who desire great welfare. (13-46-3)
yadi vai strī na roceta pumāṁsaṁ na pramodayet। amodanātpunaḥ puṁsaḥ prajanaṁ na pravardhate ॥13-46-4॥
If a woman is not pleased, she does not excite the man. Because of lack of pleasure, the man's procreation does not increase. (13-46-4)
pūjyā lālayitavyāś ca striyo nityaṃ janādhipa। apūjitāś ca yatraitāḥ sarvāḥ tatra aphalāḥ kriyāḥ ॥ tadaiva tatkulaṃ nāsti yadā śocanti jāmayaḥ ॥13-46-5॥
O lord of people, women are always to be worshipped and cherished. Wherever these (women) are not worshipped, all actions there are fruitless. That family indeed does not exist when the wives lament. (13-46-5)
jāmīśaptāni gehāni nikṛttānīva kṛtyayā। naiva bhānti na vardhante śriyā hīnāni pārthiva ॥13-46-6॥
O king, houses cursed by co-wives, as if cut off by witchcraft, do not shine nor prosper when deprived of prosperity. (13-46-6)
striyaḥ puṁsāṁ paridade manurjigamiṣurdivam। abalāḥ svalpakaupīnāḥ suhṛdaḥ satyajiṣṇavaḥ ॥13-46-7॥
Manu, desiring to ascend to heaven, distributed the women of men; those who were weak, wore little loincloths, were friends, and were victorious in truth. (13-46-7)
īrṣyavo mānakāmāś ca caṇḍā asuhṛdo'budhāḥ। striyo mānanam arhanti tā mānaya ta mānavāḥ ॥13-46-8॥
Envious, respect-seeking, fierce, unfriendly, and ignorant people, as well as women, deserve to be honored; therefore, O humans, honor them. (13-46-8)
strīpratyayo hi vo dharmo ratibhogāś ca kevalāḥ। paricaryānna-saṃskārās tadāyattā bhavantu vaḥ ॥13-46-9॥
Your duty is indeed based on women, and your pleasures are only those of love; service, food, and purificatory rites may be dependent on that for you. (13-46-9)
utpādanam apatvasya jātasya paripālanam। prītyarthaṃ lokayātrā ca paśyata strīnibandhanam ॥13-46-10॥
The creation of children, their protection after birth, affection, and the conduct of worldly life—all these, behold, are bound up with women. (13-46-10)
saṁmānyamānāś caitābhiḥ sarvakāryāṇy avāpsyatha। videharājaduhitā cātra ślokam agāyata ॥13-46-11॥
Being honored by these women, you will accomplish all tasks. Here, the daughter of the king of Videha also sang a verse. (13-46-11)
nāsti yajñaḥ striyaḥ kaścinna śrāddhaṃ nopavāsakam। dharmastu bhartṛśuśrūṣā tayā svargaṃ jayatyuta ॥13-46-12॥
For women, there is no sacrifice, nor any śrāddha or fasting; their duty is service to the husband, and by this, she certainly attains heaven. (13-46-12)
pitā rakṣati kaumāre bhartā rakṣati yauvane। putrāstu sthavirībhāve na strī svātantryam arhati ॥13-46-13॥
A father protects a woman in childhood, a husband protects her in youth, and sons protect her in old age; a woman does not deserve independence. (13-46-13)
śriya etāḥ striyo nāma satkāryā bhūtimicchatā. lālitā nigṛhītā ca strī śrīrbhavati bhārata ॥13-46-14॥
These women, called embodiments of fortune, should be honored by one who desires prosperity. A woman who is cherished and restrained becomes the very embodiment of fortune, O Bhārata. (13-46-14)
