A listener asks whether scriptures command a wife to serve even an immoral husband. The answer clarifies the symbolic language of the Puranas: “man/husband” signifies the soul (puruṣa) and “woman/wife” signifies prakriti (body–mind–senses). The teaching is that prakriti should follow the soul’s direction — not a gender rule — illustrated with episodes like Nishadraj Guh and Bharadwaj Muni.