arat-padmotsavaṁ vaktraṁ
śarat-padmotsavaṁ vaktraṁ
vacaś ca śravaṇāmṛtam
hṛdayaṁ kṣura-dhārābhaṁ
strīṇāṁ ko veda ceṣṭitam
Who knows the dealings of women, who have faces like lotuses blooming in autumn, words sweet to the ears, and hearts sharp like a razor blade?
He explains the nature of women.
|| 6.18.42 ||
na hi kaścit priyaḥ strīṇām
añjasā svāśiṣātmanām
patiṁ putraṁ bhrātaraṁ vā
ghnanty arthe ghātayanti ca
No one is dear to women. For their own interests, by their own will, they will themselves kill or have others kill their husband, son, or brother.
Svāśiṣā ātmanām means “of women who make efforts (ātmā) by their own desire.” Thus they do not act for the happiness of the husband. It can be taken as a compound in which the noun ending is not dropped (āśiśā).
|| 6.18.43 ||
pratiśrutaṁ dadāmīti
vacas tan na mṛṣā bhavet
vadhaṁ nārhati cendro 'pi
tatredam upakalpate
I made a promise to her, and this promise cannot be violated, but also, Indra should not to be killed. In these circumstances, the solution I have is suitable.
Tatredam upakalpate means “this is suitable.” The meaning is this. I will teach her a Vaiṣṇava austerity. When her heart becomes purified by that austerity, she will no longer have anger at Indra. Thus she will not want to kill him. She will not kill Indra because the Vaiṣṇava vow she undertakes will not bestow evil results even if desired. However, then the words of request in her prayer will be nullified. Since han can mean “go” as well as “kill,” she will have a son who will follow Indra instead of killing him, who will be a devatā, not a demon. Because of the length of the vow, there will certainly be some irregularity in her performance. But by that vow, her mind will concentrate while she is unaware of it. Though there may be irregularity in a Vaiṣṇava vow, the result will still be given. Her efforts will thus be successful.
|| 6.18.44 ||
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