Adhyaya 300

Verse 83

आजसे पहले कभी भी मैं इतनी देर करके असमयमें अपने आश्रमपर नहीं लौटा हूँ। संध्या होनेसे पहले ही माता मुझे रोक लेती है--आश्रमसे बाहर नहीं जाने देती

“Never before today have I returned to my hermitage so late and at an improper time. Before twilight even arrives, my mother restrains me—she does not allow me to go outside the hermitage.”

Verse 84

दिवापि मयि निष्क्रान्ते संतप्येते गुरू मम । विचिनोति हि मां तात: सहैवाश्रमवासिभि:

Yama said, “Even in the daytime, when I have gone out, my revered elders are distressed. My father, together with the residents of the hermitage, keeps searching for me.”

Verse 85

दिनमें भी यदि मैं आश्रमसे दूर निकल जाता हूँ तो मेरे माता-पिता व्याकुल हो उठते हैं एवं पिताजी आश्रमवासियोंके साथ मुझे खोजने निकल पढ़ते हैं ।। मात्रा पित्रा च सुभृशं दुःखिताभ्यामहं पुरा । उपालब्धश्न बहुशश्चिरेणागच्छसीति ह

Yama said, “Formerly, my mother and father would become deeply distressed. Many times they would reproach me, saying, ‘Why do you return so late?’—for even if I went out from the hermitage during the day, they would grow anxious, and my father would set out with the hermitage-dwellers to search for me.”

Verse 86

मेरे माता-पिताने अत्यन्त दुःखी होकर पहले कई बार मुझे उलाहना दिया है कि *तु देरसे घर लौटता है” ।। का त्ववस्था तयोरद्य मदर्थमिति चिन्तये । तयोरदृश्ये मये च महद्‌ दुःखं भविष्यति,आज मेरे लिये उन दोनोंकी क्या अवस्था हुई होगी? यह सोचकर मुझे बड़ी चिन्ता हो रही है। मुझे न देखनेपर उन दोनोंको महान्‌ दुःख होगा

“What condition must my two parents be in today because of me?”—so he reflects with anxious concern. “If I remain out of their sight, great sorrow will surely arise for them.”

Verse 87

पुरा मामूचतुश्चैव रात्रावश्रायमाणकौ । भृशं सुदुःखितौ वृद्धौ बहुश: प्रीतिसंयुती,पहलेकी बात है, मेरे वृद्ध माता-पिताने अत्यन्त दुःखी हो रातमें आँसू बहाते हुए मुझसे बारंबार प्रेमपूर्वक कहा था--

Yama said: “Long ago, my aged parents—overwhelmed with intense sorrow—came to me at night, shedding tears. Again and again, with deep affection, they spoke to me….”

Verse 88

त्वया हीनौ न जीवाव मुहूर्तमपि पुत्रक | यावद्‌ धरिष्यसे पुत्र तावन्नौ जीवितं ध्रुवम्‌,“बेटा! तुम्हारे बिना हम दो घड़ी भी जीवित नहीं रह सकते। वत्स! तुम जबतक जीवित रहोगे, तभीतक हमारा भी जीवन निश्चित है

Yama said: “My child, without you the two of us cannot live even for a moment. Dear son, so long as you continue to live, our own life too is assured.”

Verse 89

वृद्धयोरन्धयोर्दृष्टिस्त्वयि वंश: प्रतिष्ठित: । त्वयि पिण्डश्न कीर्तिश्व संतानं चावयोरिति,“हम दोनों बूढ़े और अंधे हैं। तुम्हीं हमारी दृष्टि हो तथा तुम्हींपर हमारा वंश प्रतिष्ठित है। हम दोनोंका पिण्ड, कीर्ति और कुलपरम्परा सब कुछ तुमपर ही अवलम्बित है”

Yama said: “We are both aged and blind; you are our very sight. Upon you our lineage stands established. Upon you depend our funeral offerings, our good name, and the continuance of our family line.”

Verse 90

माता वृद्धा पिता वृद्धस्तयोर्यष्टिरहं किल । तौ रात्रौ मामपश्यन्ती कामवस्थां गमिष्यत:,मेरी माता बूढ़ी है। पिता भी वृद्ध हैं, केवल मैं ही उन दोनोंके लिये लाठीका सहारा हूँ। वे दोनों रातमें मुझे न देखकर पता नहीं किस दशाको पहुँच जायँगे?

Yama said: “My mother is aged, and my father too is aged; indeed, I am the staff on which they lean. If, in the night, they do not see me, who knows to what helpless condition they may fall?”

Verse 91

निद्रायाश्चाभ्यसूयामि यस्या हेतो: पिता मम । माता च संशयं प्राप्ता मत्क्तेडनपकारिणी,मैं अपनी इस नींदको कोसता हूँ, जिसके कारण मेरे पिता तथा कभी मेरा अपकार न करनेवाली मेरी माताका जीवन संशयमें पड़ गया है

I reproach this sleep of mine, for because of it my father has been brought to ruin and my mother—who has never done me any harm—has fallen into mortal uncertainty. This is the bitter fruit of negligence: even an innocent lapse can endanger those who depend on us.

Verse 92

अहं च संशयं प्राप्त: कृच्छामापदमास्थित: । मातापितृभ्यां हि विना नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे,मैं भी कठिन विपत्तिमें फँसकर प्राण-संशयकी दशामें आ पहुँचा हूँ। माता-पिताके बिना तो मैं कदापि जीवित नहीं रह सकता

Yama said: “I too have come into doubt for my very life, having fallen into a grievous calamity. For without my mother and father, I do not have the heart to go on living.”

Verse 93

व्यक्तमाकुलया बुद्धया प्रज्ञाचक्षु: पिता मम । एकैकमस्यां वेलायां पृच्छत्याश्रमवासिनम्‌,निश्चय ही इस समय मेरे प्रज्ञाचक्षु (अंधे) पिता व्याकुल हृदयसे एक-एक आश्रमवासीके पास जाकर मेरे विषयमें पूछ रहे होंगे

Yama said: “Surely, my father—though blind, yet endowed with inner discernment—must at this very moment be distressed in mind, going from one hermitage-dweller to another and asking about me.”

Verse 94

नात्मानमनुशोचामि यथाहं पितरं शुभे । भर्तरें चाप्यनुगतां मातरं परिदुर्बलाम्‌,शुभे! मुझे अपने लिये उतना शोक नहीं है, जितना कि पिताके लिये और उन्हींका अनुसरण करनेवाली दुबली-पतली माताके लिये है

Yama said: “O auspicious lady, I do not grieve for myself as much as I grieve for my father—and for my frail mother, who followed her husband in devotion.”

Verse 95

मत्कृतेन हि तावद्य सन्‍्तापं परमेष्यत: । जीवन्तावनुजीवामि भर्तव्यौं तौ मयेति ह

Yama said: “Because of what I have done, those two will, for the time being, fall into the deepest anguish. Yet while they live, I shall sustain them; those two are to be maintained by me.”

Verse 96

मार्कण्डेय उवाच एवमुकक्‍्त्वा स धर्मात्मा गुरुभक्तो गुरुप्रिय:

Mārkaṇḍeya said: Having spoken thus, that righteous-souled one—devoted to his teacher and dear to his teacher—went onward in accordance with his duty.

Verse 97

ततोडब्रवीत्‌ तथा दृष्टवा भर्तारें शोककर्शितम्‌,वश्रृश्चशुरभर्तृणां मम पुण्यास्तु शर्वरी । अपने पतिको इस प्रकार शोकसे कातर हुआ देख धर्मका पालन करनेवाली सावित्रीने नेत्रोंसे बहते हुए आँसुओंको पोंछकर कहा--“यदि मैंने कोई तपस्या की हो, यदि दान दिया हो और होम किया हो तो मेरे सास-ससुर और पतिके लिये यह रात पुण्यमयी हो

Mārkaṇḍeya said: Seeing her husband thus wasted by grief, Savitrī—steadfast in dharma—wiped away the tears flowing from her eyes and spoke: “If I have performed any austerity, if I have given gifts in charity, and if I have offered oblations in sacrifice, then may this night become auspicious and merit-bearing for my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, and my husband.”

Verse 98

प्रमृज्याश्रूणि नेत्रा भ्यां सावित्री धर्मचारिणी । यदि मे<स्ति तपस्तप्तं यदि दत्त हुतं यदि,वश्रृश्चशुरभर्तृणां मम पुण्यास्तु शर्वरी । अपने पतिको इस प्रकार शोकसे कातर हुआ देख धर्मका पालन करनेवाली सावित्रीने नेत्रोंसे बहते हुए आँसुओंको पोंछकर कहा--“यदि मैंने कोई तपस्या की हो, यदि दान दिया हो और होम किया हो तो मेरे सास-ससुर और पतिके लिये यह रात पुण्यमयी हो

Wiping away the tears from her eyes, Savitrī—steadfast in dharma—spoke: “If I have truly practiced austerity, if I have given in charity, and if I have offered oblations in sacrifice, then let this night become auspicious and merit-bearing for my mother-in-law, my father-in-law, and my husband.”

Verse 99

|| न स्मराम्युक्तपूर्व वै स्वैरेष्वनृतां गिरम्‌

“I do not recall that I have ever before uttered a false word, even in matters where I was free to speak as I pleased.”

Verse 100

सत्यवानुवाच कामये दर्शन पित्रोर्याहि सावित्रि मा चिरम्‌,(अपि नाम गुरू तौ हि पश्येयं प्रीयमाणकौ ।) सत्यवानने कहा--सावित्री! चलो, मैं शीघ्र ही माता-पिताका दर्शन करना चाहता हूँ। क्या मैं उन दोनोंको प्रसन्न देख सकूँगा?

Satyavān said, “I long to see my father and mother. Come, Sāvitrī—do not delay. Perhaps I may yet behold those revered elders, pleased and at peace.”

Verse 101

पुरा मातुः पितुर्वापि यदि पश्यामि विप्रियम्‌ । न जीविष्ये वरारोहे सत्येनात्मानमालभे,वरारोहे! मैं सत्यकी शपथ खाकर अपना शरीर छूकर कहता हूँ, यदि मैं माता अथवा पिताका अप्रिय देखूँगा तो जीवित नहीं रहूँगा

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Formerly, O fair-hipped one, I swore upon truth, touching my own body as witness: ‘If ever I should behold anything displeasing to my mother or my father, I will not continue to live.’”

Verse 102

यदि धर्मे च ते बुद्धिर्मा चेज्जीवन्तमिच्छसि । मम प्रियं वा कर्तव्यं गच्छावाश्रममन्तिकात्‌,यदि तुम्हारी बुद्धि धर्ममें रत है, यदि तुम मुझे जीवित देखना चाहती हो अथवा मेरा प्रिय करना अपना कर्तव्य समझती हो तो हम दोनों शीघ्र ही आश्रमके समीप चलें

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “If your understanding is set upon dharma, and if you wish to see me alive—or if you hold it your duty to do what is dear to me—then let us both go quickly to the vicinity of the hermitage.”

Verse 103

मार्कण्डेय उवाच सावित्री तत उत्थाय केशान्‌ संयम्य भाविनी । पतिमुत्थापयामास बाहुभ्यां परिगृह् वै,मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं--युधिष्ठिर! तब पतिका हितचिन्तन करनेवाली सावित्रीने उठकर अपने खुले हुए केशोंको बाँध लिया और दोनों हाथोंसे पकड़कर पतिको उठाया

Mārkaṇḍeya said: Then Savitrī rose, composed herself by binding up her loosened hair, and—ever intent on her husband’s welfare—took hold of him with both arms and lifted her husband up.

Verse 104

उत्थाय सत्यवांश्षापि प्रमृज्याड्भरानि पाणिना । सर्वा दिश: समालोक्य कठिने दृष्टिमादथे,सत्यवानने भी उठकर एक हाथसे अपने सभी अंग पोंछे और चारों ओर देखकर फलोंकी टोकरीपर दृष्टि डाली

Markandeya said: Satyavan too rose up, wiped his limbs with his hand, looked around in all directions, and then fixed his gaze upon the basket of fruits.

Verse 105

तमुवाचाथ सावित्री श्वः फलानि हरिष्यसि । योगक्षेमार्थमेतं ते नेष्यामि परशुं त्वहम्‌,तब सावित्रीने उनसे कहा--“कल सबेरे फलोंको ले चलियेगा। इस समय आपके योग- क्षेमके लिये इस कुल्हाड़ीको मैं साथ ले चलूँगी"

Then Sāvitrī said to him: “Tomorrow you will carry the fruits. For your welfare and security, I myself will carry this axe for you.”

Verse 106

कृत्वा कठिनभारं सा वृक्षशाखावलम्बिनम्‌ | गृहीत्वा परशुं भर्तु: सकाशे पुनरागमत्‌,फिर उसने टोकरीके बोझको पेड़की डालमें लटका दिया और कुल्हाड़ी लेकर वह पुनः पतिके पास आ गयी

Having secured the heavy load by hanging it from a tree-branch, she took up the axe and returned again to her husband’s side.

Verse 107

वामे स्कन्धे तु वामोरूर्भततुर्बाहुं निवेश्य च । दक्षिणेन परिष्वज्य जगाम गजगामिनी,कमनीय ऊरुओंसे सुशोभित तथा हाथीके समान मन्द गतिसे चलनेवाली सावित्रीने पतिकी दाहिनी भुजाको अपने बायें कंधेपर रखकर दाहिने हाथसे उन्हें अपने पार्श्वभागमें सटा लिया और धीरे-धीर चलने लगी

Mārkaṇḍeya said: Placing her husband’s arm upon her left shoulder, and clasping him close with her right arm, Sāvitrī—whose gait was as measured and steady as an elephant’s—went on, supporting him with tender strength.

Verse 108

सत्यवानुवाच अभ्यासगमनादू भीरु पन्थानो विदिता मम | वृक्षान्तरालोकितया ज्योत्स्नया चापि लक्षये,उस समय सत्यवानने कहा--भीरु! बार-बार आने-जानेसे यहाँके सभी मार्ग मेरे परिचित हैं। वृक्षोंके भीतरसे दिखायी देनेवाली चाँदनीसे भी मैं रास्तोंकी पहचान कर लेता हूँ

Satyavān said: “O timid one, by going to and fro again and again, all these paths are known to me. Even by the moonlight seen between the trees I can discern the way.”

Verse 109

आगतीौ स्व: पथा येन फलान्यवचितानि च । यथागतं शुभे गच्छ पन्थानं मा विचारय,यह वही मार्ग है जिससे हम दोनों आये थे और हमने फल चुने थे। शुभे! तुम जैसे आयी हो वैसे चली चलो। रास्तेका विचार न करो

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “By that very path on which we both came, and by which the fruits were gathered, go back, O auspicious one, exactly as you came. Do not trouble yourself by pondering the route.”

Verse 110

पलाशखण्डे चैतस्मिन्‌ पन्था व्यावर्तते द्विधा । तस्योत्तरेण य: पन्थास्तेन गच्छ त्वरस्व च

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Here, at this grove of palāśa trees, the road divides into two. Take the northern path and go by it—hurry on.”

Verse 111

मार्कण्डेय उवाच ब्रुवन्नेवं त्वरायुक्त: सम्प्रायादाश्रमं प्रति,मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं--ऐसा कहते हुए सत्यवान्‌ बड़ी उतावलीके साथ आश्रमकी ओर चलने लगे

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “Having spoken thus, Satyavān—driven by urgency—set out at once toward the hermitage.”

Verse 297

इति श्रीमहा भारते वनपर्वणि पतिव्रतामाहात्म्यपर्वणि सावितरयुपाख्याने सप्तनवत्यधिकद्वधिशततमो<ध्याय:

Thus ends the two-hundred-and-ninety-seventh chapter in the Vana Parva of the revered Mahābhārata, within the section praising the greatness of devoted wives, in the episode of Sāvitrī.

Verse 953

तयो: प्रियं मे कर्तव्यमिति जानामि चाप्यहम्‌ | मेरे कारण आज मेरे माता-पिता बहुत संतप्त होंगे। उन्हें जीवित देखकर ही मैं जी रहा हूँ। मुझे उन दोनोंका भरण-पोषण करना चाहिये। मैं यह भी जानता हूँ कि माता-पिताका प्रिय करना ही मेरा कर्तव्य है

Yama said: “I know that it is my duty to do what is dear to those two. Because of me, my mother and father will be deeply afflicted today. I live only by seeing them alive. Therefore I must support and care for them. I also know this: to act in a way that pleases one’s parents is itself one’s rightful obligation.”

Verse 963

उच्छ्ित्य बाहू दुःखार्त: सुस्वरं प्रसरोद ह । मार्कण्डेयजी कहते हैं--युधिष्ठटिर! यों कहकर धर्मात्मा, गुरुभक्त एवं गुरुजनोंके प्रिय सत्यवान्‌ दोनों बाँहें ऊपर उठाकर दुःखसे आतुर हो फ़ूट-फूटकर रोने लगे

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “O Yudhiṣṭhira, having spoken thus, the righteous Satyavān—devoted to his elders and beloved of his teachers—raised both arms aloft and, overwhelmed by sorrow, burst into loud, uncontrollable weeping.”

Verse 996

तेन सत्येन तावद्य श्रियेतां श्वशुरौ मम । “मैंने पहले कभी इच्छानुसार किये जानेवाले क्रीडा-विनोदमें भी झूठी बात कही हो, मुझे इसका स्मरण नहीं है। उस सत्यके प्रभावसे इस समय मेरे सास-ससुर जीवित रहें

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “By the power of that truth, let my father-in-law and mother-in-law be restored to life this very day.”

Verse 1103

स्वस्थो5स्मि बलवानस्मि दिदृक्षु: पितरावुभौ । पलाश-वृक्षोंके इस वनप्रदेशमें यह मार्ग अलग-अलग दो दिशाओंकी ओर मुड़ जाता है। इन दोनोंमेंसे जो मार्ग उत्तरकी ओरसे जाता है, उसीसे चलो और शीचघ्रतापूर्वक पैर बढ़ाओ। अब मैं स्वस्थ हूँ, बलवान्‌ हूँ और अपने माता तथा पिता दोनोंको देखनेके लिये उत्सुक हूँ

Mārkaṇḍeya said: “I am well; I am strong; and I long to see both my parents. In this forest tract, near the palāśa trees, the path splits and turns in two different directions. Of the two, take the one that goes northward, and press on quickly. Now that my strength has returned, I am eager to behold my mother and father.”