Shloka 20
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
विविक्ते पतिमासाद्य हसन्तीव शुचिस्मिता । प्रणयं व्यज्जयन्तीव मधुरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
vivikte patim āsādya hasantīva śucismitā | praṇayaṃ vyajayantīva madhuraṃ vākyam abravīt |
মার্কণ্ডেয় বললেন—নির্জনে স্বামীর কাছে গিয়ে সে পবিত্র, কোমল হাসি হেসে, যেন হাসতে হাসতে স্নেহ প্রকাশ করছে—এমনভাবে মধুর বাক্যে কথা বলল।
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights the moral power of speech and demeanor: sweet, intimate words spoken in private can strongly influence decisions. It implicitly cautions that persuasion—especially when driven by personal desire—must be weighed against dharma and the responsibilities of leadership.
Mārkaṇḍeya describes a woman approaching her husband in seclusion and speaking to him with a pure smile and affectionate manner, setting the stage for a persuasive request or counsel delivered through charming, gentle speech.