Pātivratya-kathana (The Narrative of the Pativrata)

Verse 1

वसिष्ठ उवाच । धर्मांगवदचः श्रुत्वा हृष्टो रुक्मांगदोऽब्रवीत् । सत्य ते जननी पुत्र संप्राप्ता मंदरे मया ॥ १ ॥

Vasiṣṭha said: Hearing the words spoken by Dharmāṅgada, the delighted Rukmāṅgada replied, “Satya, my son—your mother has been brought by me to the Mandara mountain.”

Verse 2

वेदाश्रयसुता बाला मदर्थं कृतनिश्चया । कुर्वंती दारुणं पुत्र तपो देवगिरौ पुरा ॥ २ ॥

Formerly, a young maiden—the daughter of Vedāśraya—having resolved firmly for my sake, performed severe austerity on Mount Devagiri, my son.

Verse 3

इतः पंचदशादह्नो हयगामी गतो ह्यहम् । मंदरे पर्वतश्रेष्ठे बहुधातुसमन्विते ॥ ३ ॥

From here, after fifteen days, I indeed went—traveling swiftly like a horse—to Mandara, the foremost of mountains, richly endowed with many kinds of minerals.

Verse 4

तस्य मूर्द्धनि बालेयं तोषयंती महेश्वरम् । स्थिता गानपरा दृष्टा मया तत्र सुदर्शना ॥ ४ ॥

There I saw the fair and beautiful Sudarśanā, standing intent on singing, delighting Maheśvara, and as though placed upon his head as a youthful adornment.

Verse 5

ततोऽहं मूर्च्छया युक्तः पतितो धरणीतले । अनंगबाणसंविद्धो व्याधविद्धो यथा मृगः ॥ ५ ॥

Then I, seized by a swoon, fell upon the ground—struck by Kāma’s arrows—like a deer pierced by a hunter.

Verse 6

ततोऽहमनया देव्या चालितश्चारुनेत्रया । वृतश्चैवापि भर्तृत्वे किंचित्प्रार्थनया सह ॥ ६ ॥

Then I was stirred by that divine lady with beautiful eyes, and—along with some entreaty—was even chosen by her to be her husband.

Verse 7

मया चापि प्रतिज्ञातं स्वदक्षिणकरान्वितम् । सेयं भार्या विशालाक्षी कृता भूधरमस्तके ॥ ७ ॥

I too have made this sacred pledge, accompanied by my own dakṣiṇā (offering). This very wide-eyed lady has been established as my wife upon the summit of the mountain.

Verse 8

अवरुह्य धरापृष्टे समारुह्य तुरंगमम् । दिनत्रयेण त्वरितः संप्राप्तस्तव सन्निधौ ॥ ८ ॥

Dismounting onto the surface of the earth and then mounting a horse, I hastened and, within three days, arrived in your very presence.

Verse 9

पश्यमानो गिरीन्देशान्सरांसिसरितस्तथा ॥ । इयं हि जननी पुत्र तव प्रीतिविवर्द्धिनी ॥ ९ ॥

As you behold the regions of mountains, the lakes, and the rivers, know this, my son: this sacred land is truly your mother, ever increasing your love and devotion (bhakti).

Verse 10

अभिवादय चार्वंगीं त्वं निजामिव मातरम् । तत्पितुर्वचनं श्रुत्वा हयसंस्थामरिंदमः ॥ १० ॥

“Salute the fair-limbed lady as you would your own mother.” Hearing his father’s words, the enemy-subduing one approached her—she who was stationed upon a horse (in horse-form).

Verse 11

शिरसा धरणीं गत्वा इदं वचनमब्रवीत् । प्रसीद देवि मातस्त्वं भृत्यो दासः सुतस्तव ॥ ११ ॥

Bowing with his head to the earth, he spoke these words: “Be gracious, O Goddess, O Mother. I am your servant, your slave, your son.”

Verse 12

नमस्करोमि जननीं बहुभूपालसंयुतः । तं पुत्रमवनीं प्राप्तं मोहिनी प्रेक्ष्य भूपते ॥ १२ ॥

O King, together with many rulers I bow in reverence to the Mother. Beholding that son who had come upon the earth, Mohinī gazed on him in wondrous awe.

Verse 13

भर्तुर्दाक्षिण्ययोगाच्च अवतीर्य तुरंगमात् । अवागूहत बाहुभ्यामुत्थाप्य पतितं सुतम् ॥ १३ ॥

Moved by her husband’s kindness, she dismounted from the horse, clasped her fallen son in both arms, and lifted him up.

Verse 14

परिष्वक्तस्तदा मात्रा पुनरेवाभ्यनंदयत् । ततस्तां सुमनोज्ञैस्तु चारुवस्त्रैस्च भूषणैः ॥ १४ ॥

Then, embraced by his mother, he rejoiced once more. After that, he honored her with exceedingly delightful—beautiful garments and ornaments.

Verse 15

भूषयित्वा समारोप्य पुनरेव हयोत्तमम् । स्वपृष्ठे चरणं कृत्वा तस्या राजीवलोचनः ॥ १५ ॥

Having adorned it and mounting again that excellent horse, the lotus-eyed one placed his foot upon her back.

Verse 16

तेनैव विधिना भूप पितरं चान्वरोहयत् । भूपालैः संवृतो गच्छन्पभ्द्यां धर्मांगदः सुतः ॥ १६ ॥

O King, by that very same rite he also escorted his father onward; surrounded by other rulers, the son Dharmāṅgada proceeded on foot.

Verse 17

प्रहर्षपुलको ह्यासीज्जननीं प्रेक्ष्य मोहिनीम् । स्तूयमानः स्वयं चापि मेघगंभीरया गिरा ॥ १७ ॥

On beholding his enchanting mother, he was filled with rapture and his body thrilled with gooseflesh; and even as he was being praised, he himself spoke in a voice deep as thunderclouds.

Verse 18

धन्यः स तनयो लोके मातरो यस्य भूरिशः । नवा नवतरा भार्याः पितुरिष्टा मनोहराः ॥ १८ ॥

Blessed in this world is that son who has many mothers; and (blessed too are) the ever-new, ever-young wives—beloved of the father and charming.

Verse 19

यस्यैका जननी लोके पिता तस्यैव दुःखभाक् । पितुर्दुःखेन किं सौख्यं पुत्रस्य हृदि वर्तते ॥ १९ ॥

In this world, for one whose mother stands alone (without support), the father becomes a sharer in her suffering. For if the father is in distress, how can happiness remain in the son’s heart?

Verse 20

एकस्या वंदने मातुः पृथिवीफलमश्नुते । मातॄणां वंदने मह्यं महत्पुण्यं भविष्यति ॥ २० ॥

By venerating even a single mother, one attains the fruit of the entire earth. By venerating mothers, great merit will accrue to me.

Verse 21

तस्मादभ्यधिकं पुण्यं भविष्यति दिने दिने । एकमुच्चरमाणोऽसौ राजभिः परिवारितः ॥ २१ ॥

Therefore, his merit will increase day by day. Even if he utters it just once, he becomes one attended and honored by kings.

Verse 22

प्रविष्टो नगरं रम्यं वैदिशं ऋद्धिसंयुतम् । हयस्थः प्रययौ राजा मोहिन्या सह तत्क्षणात् ॥ २२ ॥

Entering the lovely city of Vidiśā, endowed with prosperity, the king—mounted upon his horse—set forth that very moment together with Mohinī.

Verse 23

ततो गृहवरं प्राप्य पूज्यमानो जनैर्नृपः । अवरुह्य हयातस्मान्मोहिनीं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ २३ ॥

Then, having reached an excellent residence and being honoured by the people, the king dismounted from his horse and spoke these words to Mohinī.

Verse 24

धर्मांगदस्य पुत्रस्य गृहे गच्छ मनोहरे । एष ते गुरुशुश्रूषां करिष्यति यथा गुणम् ॥ २४ ॥

O lovely one, go to the house of Dharmāṅgada’s son. In a manner befitting his virtues, he will serve you with due reverence toward the guru.

Verse 25

न सखी नैव दासी ते शुश्रूषामाचरेदिति । सा चैवमुक्ता पत्या तु प्रस्थिता सुतमन्दिरम् ॥ २५ ॥

“Neither as a friend nor as a maid should you render service to her.” Thus addressed by her husband, she set out for her son’s house.

Verse 26

धर्मांगदेन सा दृष्टा गच्छंती मन्दिराय वै । आत्मनो भर्तृवाक्येन परित्यज्य महीपतीन् ॥ २६ ॥

Dharmāṅgada saw her as she was going toward the temple; in obedience to her husband’s command, she had renounced the association and offers of kings.

Verse 27

तिष्ठध्वं पितुरादेशादिमां शुश्रूषये ह्यहम् । स एवमुक्त्वा गत्वा तु बाहुभ्यां परिगृह्य वै । क्रमे पञ्चदशे प्राप्ते पर्यंके त्ववरोपयत् ॥ २७ ॥

“Stay here, obedient to my father’s command; I myself shall attend upon her.” So saying, he went and, truly taking her up in both arms, when the fifteenth step was reached, he set her down upon a couch.

Verse 28

कांचने पट्टसूत्रेण रचिते कोमले दृढे । मृद्वास्तरणसंयुक्ते मणिरत्नविभूषिते ॥ २८ ॥

It was a couch of gold, fashioned with woven silk threads—soft, yet firm—furnished with a gentle covering and adorned with pearls and precious gems.

Verse 29

रत्नदीपैश्च बहुशः खचिते सूर्यसप्रभे । ततः पादोदकं चक्रे मोहिन्या धर्मभूषणः ॥ २९ ॥

Then, in that sun-bright place, studded again and again with jewel-lamps, Dharma-bhūṣaṇa—prompted by Mohinī—prepared the water for washing the feet.

Verse 30

सन्ध्यावल्या गुरुत्वेन ह्यपश्यत्तां नृपात्मजः । नैवमस्याभवद्दुष्टं मनस्तां मोहिनीं प्रति ॥ ३० ॥

But the prince, restrained by reverence for Sandhyāvalī, did not look upon her; and his mind was not tainted by any wicked intent toward that enchantress.

Verse 31

सुकुमारोऽपि तन्वंगीं पीनोरुजघनस्तनीम् । मेने वर्षायुतसमामात्मानं च त्रिवत्सरम् ॥ ३१ ॥

Though still a tender youth, he regarded that slender-limbed woman—full-hipped, with heavy thighs and breasts—as if she were of ten thousand years; and he considered himself to be only three years old.

Verse 32

प्रक्षाल्य चरणौ तस्यास्तज्जलं शिरसि न्यधात् । उवाचावनतो भूत्वा सुकृती मातरस्म्यहम् ॥ ३२ ॥

After washing her feet, he placed that water upon his own head. Bowing down, the virtuous man said, “Mother, I am your son.”

Verse 33

इत्युक्त्वा नरनारीभिः स्वयं च श्रमनाशनम् । चकार सर्वभोगैस्तां युयोज च मुदान्वितः ॥ ३३ ॥

Having spoken thus to the men and women, he himself performed the act that removes fatigue, and—rejoicing—provided her with every comfort and enjoyment.

Verse 34

क्षीरोदमथने जाते कुण्डले चामृतस्रवं । ये लब्धे दानवाञ्चित्वा पाताले धर्ममूर्त्तिना ॥ ३४ ॥

When, during the churning of the Milk Ocean, the two earrings and the nectar that streams forth were produced—having obtained them, Dharma, in embodied form, overcame the Dānavas and carried them down to Pātāla (the netherworld).

Verse 35

मोहिन्या कर्णयोश्चक्रे स्वयमेव वृषांगदः । अष्टोत्तरसहस्रैश्च धात्रीफलनिभैः शुभैः ॥ ३५ ॥

By Māyā (Mohinī), Vṛṣāṅgada himself fashioned earrings for her ears—auspicious ones—set with one thousand and eight gems, each resembling the fruit of the dhātrī (āmalakī).

Verse 36

मौक्तिकै रचितैः शुभ्रैर्हारो देव्याः कृतो हृदि । निष्कं पलशतं स्वर्णं कुलिशायुतभूषितम् ॥ ३६ ॥

A radiant necklace of white pearls was placed upon the Goddess’s breast; and a golden niṣka—of a hundred palas in weight—adorned with vajra-like ornaments, was also presented.

Verse 37

हार लघूत्तरं चक्रे मातुर्नृपसुतस्तदा । वलया वज्रखचिता द्विरष्टौ करयोर्द्वयोः ॥ ३७ ॥

Then the king’s son fashioned for his mother a lighter, finer necklace, and he also made sixteen diamond-studded bracelets for her two hands.

Verse 38

एकैके निष्ककोटीभिर्मूल्यविद्भिर्नरैः कृताः । केयूरनूपुरौ तस्या अनर्घौ स नृपात्मजः ॥ ३८ ॥

Each was fashioned by men skilled in judging worth, at the cost of a crore of niṣkas apiece. Her armlets and anklets were beyond price—so the prince declared.

Verse 39

प्रददौ पितुरिष्टाया भूषणार्थं रविप्रभौ । कटिसूत्रं तु शर्वाण्या यदासीत्पावकप्रभम् ॥ ३९ ॥

As an ornament he presented to his father’s beloved wife a radiant piece shining like the sun; and he also bestowed Śarvāṇī’s waist-cord, gleaming with the splendor of fire.

Verse 40

तद्भ्रष्टं भयभीतायाः संग्रामे तारकामये । कालनेमौ स्थिते राज्ये पतितं मूलपाचने ॥ ४० ॥

In the Tārakāmaya war it slipped from the frightened lady’s hands; and when Kālanemi had established his rule, it fell into the place where roots were being cooked.

Verse 41

तद्गृहीतं तु दैत्येन मयेन लोकमायिना । तं हत्वा मलये दैत्यं दैत्यकोटिसमावृतम् ॥ ४१ ॥

But it was seized by the Daitya Maya, wielder of the world’s illusion. After slaying that Daitya on Mount Malaya—though he was surrounded by crores of Daityas—(the hero went onward).

Verse 42

संवत्सररणे घोरे पितुर्वचनकारणात् । अवाप कटिसूत्रं तु दैत्यराजप्रियास्थितम् ॥ ४२ ॥

In the dreadful battle that endured for a year, compelled by his father’s command, he obtained the waist-cord, kept with the beloved of the king of the Daityas.

Verse 43

तद्ददौ पितुरिष्टायाः सानन्दपुलको नृपः । हिरण्यकशिपोः पूर्वं या भार्या लोकसुन्दरी ॥ ४३ ॥

That king—his body thrilled with joyful rapture—gave her in marriage as the beloved bride chosen by his father: she who had formerly been the world-renowned beautiful wife of Hiraṇyakaśipu.

Verse 44

तस्याः सीमंतकश्चासीत्सौदामिनिसमप्रभः । सा प्रविष्टा समं पत्या यदा पावकमंगला ॥ ४४ ॥

Her hair-parting ornament (sīmāntaka) shone with the splendor of lightning. And when the auspicious lady—Pāvaka-maṅgalā—entered the fire together with her husband, this wonder was seen.

Verse 45

समुद्रे क्षिप्य सीमन्तं दुःखेन महतान्विता । सागरस्तत्तु संगृह्य रत्नश्रेष्ठयुगं किल ॥ ४५ ॥

Overwhelmed with intense sorrow, she cast the sīmāntaka into the sea. The Ocean, it is said, gathered it up, for it was a pair of the finest jewels.

Verse 46

ददौ धर्मांगदायाथ तस्य वीर्येण तोषितः । जनन्याः प्रददौ हृष्टः सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम् ॥ ४६ ॥

Then, pleased by his valor, he bestowed it upon Dharmāṅgada; and, delighted, he granted to his mother a gift—a boon—whose splendor was equal to ten million suns.

Verse 47

अग्निशौचे शुभे वस्त्रे कंचुके सुमनोहरे । सहस्रकोटिमूल्ये ते मोहिन्याः संन्यवेदयत् ॥ ४७ ॥

Then he presented to Mohinī those auspicious garments, purified by fire—beautiful, enchanting clothes and a lovely bodice (kancuka)—each worth a thousand koṭis.

Verse 48

देवमाल्यं सुगंधाढ्यं तथा देवविलेपनम् । सर्वदेवगुरोः पूर्वं सिद्धहस्तात्सुदुर्लभम् ॥ ४८ ॥

Divine garlands rich with fragrance, and likewise divine unguents for anointing—these, procured beforehand for the Guru of all the devas, are exceedingly rare to obtain, even from the hands of siddhas.

Verse 49

धर्मांगदेन वीरेण द्वीपानां विजये तथा । लब्धं तत् प्रददौ देव्या मोहिन्याः कामवर्द्धनम् ॥ ४९ ॥

The heroic Dharmāṅgada, in the conquest of the islands, obtained a boon; and that desire-enhancing gift he presented to the goddess Mohinī.

Verse 50

संभूष्य परया भक्त्या पश्चात्षड्रसभोजनम् । आनीतं मातृहस्तेन भोजयामास भूमिप ॥ ५० ॥

After honoring (him) with supreme devotion, the king then partook of a meal of the six tastes, brought by his mother’s own hand.

Verse 51

पुरस्तादेव जननीं वाक्यैः संबोध्य भूरिशः । मया त्वया च कर्तव्यं राज्ञो वाक्यं न संशयः ॥ ५१ ॥

First, we should respectfully address Mother with many words; then, you and I must carry out the king’s command—there is no doubt about it.

Verse 52

या इष्टा नृपतेर्देवि सास्माकं हि गरीयसी । इष्टा या भूपतेर्भर्तुस्तस्या या दुष्टमाचरेत् ॥ ५२ ॥

O Goddess, she who is dear to the king is indeed most venerable to us. But any woman who behaves wickedly toward her who is beloved of the lord of the land (the king) acts contrary to dharma.

Verse 53

सा पत्नी नरकं याति यावदिंद्राश्चतुर्दश । सापत्नभावं या कुर्याद्भर्तृस्नेहेष्टया सह ॥ ५३ ॥

That wife goes to hell for as long as fourteen Indras endure—she who, together with the woman favored in her husband’s affection, fosters sapātna-bhāva, the condition of co-wife rivalry.

Verse 54

तस्याः स्नेहवियोगार्थं तप्यते ताम्रभ्राष्टके । यथा सुखं भवेद्भर्तुस्तथा कार्यं हि भार्यया ॥ ५४ ॥

To loosen her excessive attachment, she is made to suffer upon a heated copper pan. Indeed, a wife should act so that her husband’s welfare and happiness are secured.

Verse 55

अनुकूलं हितं तस्या इष्टाया भर्तुराचरेत् । यथा भर्ता तथा तां हि पश्येत वरवर्णिनि ॥ ५५ ॥

O fair-complexioned one, she should do what is agreeable and beneficial to her beloved husband, so that the husband, in turn, may look upon her with the same goodwill.

Verse 56

हीनायाश्चापि शुश्रूषां कृत्वा याति त्रिविष्टपम् । पश्चात्स्थाने भवेत्सापि मनसा याभवत्प्रिये ॥ ५६ ॥

Even by rendering faithful service to a co-wife of lower status, she attains Triviṣṭapa (heaven). Later, that other woman too comes to a subsequent (higher) station, according to the disposition of mind she had, O beloved.

Verse 57

सर्वान्भोगानवाप्नोति भर्तुरिष्टं प्रगृह्य हि । इर्ष्याभावपरित्यागात्सर्वेश्वरपदं लभेत् ॥ ५७ ॥

By faithfully embracing what is dear to one’s husband, one attains all enjoyments; and by renouncing jealousy—through the absence of envy—one may attain the supreme state of lordship, the highest spiritual station.

Verse 58

सपत्नी या सपत्न्यास्तुःशुश्रूषां कुरुते सदा । भर्तुरिष्टां संनिरीक्ष्य तस्या लोकोऽक्षयो भवेत् ॥ ५८ ॥

That wife who always renders attentive service to her husband’s co-wife, and who—keeping in view what is dear to her husband—acts accordingly, attains an imperishable heavenly realm.

Verse 59

भर्तुरिष्टा पुरा वेश्या ह्यभवत्सा कुलेषु वै । शूद्रजातेः सुदुष्टस्य परित्यक्तक्रियस्य तु ॥ ५९ ॥

Formerly she had been a courtesan, dear to her husband, moving among respectable households; but later she became connected with a man of the Śūdra class, extremely wicked, who had abandoned all prescribed rites and duties.

Verse 60

आचरद्वेश्यया सार्द्धं सा भार्या पतिरंजिनी । प्रक्षालनं द्वयोः पादौ द्वयोरुच्छिष्टभोजिनी ॥ ६० ॥

That wife, intent on pleasing her husband, behaved as though she were a courtesan; she washed the feet of both and ate the leftovers of both.

Verse 61

उभयोरप्यधः शेते उभयोर्वै हितं रता । वेश्यया वार्यमाणापि सदाचारपथे स्थिता ॥ ६१ ॥

She lies beneath both of them, devoted to the welfare of both; and even when restrained by a courtesan, she remains established on the path of good conduct.

Verse 62

एवं शुश्रीषयंत्या हि भर्तारं वेश्यया सह । जगाम सुमहान्कालो वर्तंत्या दुःखसागरे ॥ ६२ ॥

Thus she continued to serve her husband, even though he kept company with a courtesan; and for her a very long time passed, as she lived on in an ocean of sorrow.

Verse 63

अपरस्मिन्दिने भर्ता माहिषं मूलकान्वितम् । अभक्षयत निष्पावं दुर्मेधास्तैलमिश्रितम् ॥ ६३ ॥

On another day, that foolish husband ate buffalo-meat together with radish, and also consumed niṣpāva (a kind of bean) mixed with oil.

Verse 64

तदपथ्यभुजस्तस्य अवमन्य पतिव्रताम् । अभवद्दारुणो रोगो गुदे तस्य भगंदरः ॥ ६४ ॥

Because he ate what was unwholesome and showed contempt for his devoted, chaste wife (pativratā), a dreadful disease arose in him—bhagandara, an anal fistula in his rectum.

Verse 65

संदह्यमानोऽतितरां दिवा रात्रौ स भूरिशः । तस्य गेहे स्थितं वित्तं समादाय जगाम सा ॥ ६५ ॥

Burning intensely by day and by night, the wealthy man suffered greatly; and she took the wealth kept in his house and went away.

Verse 66

वेश्यान्यस्मैददौ प्रीत्या यूने कामपरायणा । ततः स दीनवदनो व्रीडया च समन्वितः ॥ ६६ ॥

Delighting in sensual pleasure, she affectionately provided him—though still a young man—with courtesans. Thereupon he became downcast, his face fallen, and he was overcome with shame.

Verse 67

उवाच प्ररुदन्भार्यां शूद्रो व्याकुलचेतनः । परिपालय मां देवि वेश्यासक्तं सुनिष्ठुरम् ॥ ६७ ॥

With his mind in turmoil, the Śūdra wept and said to his wife: “Protect me, O beloved—me who has become attached to a courtesan and has grown utterly hard-hearted.”

Verse 68

न मयोपकृतं किंचित्तव सुंदरि पापिना । रमते वेश्यया सार्द्धं बहूनब्दान्सुमध्यमे ॥ ६८ ॥

“O beautiful one, sinful as I am, I have done nothing at all to help you. For many years, O slender-waisted lady, he has been delighting in the company of a courtesan.”

Verse 69

यो भार्यां प्रणतां पापोनानुमन्येत गर्वितः । सोऽशुभानि समाप्नोति जन्मानि दश पंच च ॥ ६९ ॥

That sinful, arrogant man who does not accept or duly regard his wife when she bows in humility incurs misfortune and attains ten and five—fifteen—inauspicious births.

Verse 70

दिवाकीर्तिगृहे तस्माद्योनिं प्राप्स्यामि गर्हिताम् । तवापमानतो देवि मनो न कलुषीकृतम् ॥ ७० ॥

Therefore, in the house of Divākīrti I shall obtain a censured birth; yet, O Goddess, my mind has not been sullied by the insult you gave me.

Verse 71

इति भर्तृवचः श्रुत्वा भार्या भर्तारमब्रवीत् । पुराकृतानि पापानि दुःखानि प्रभवंति हि । तानि सक्षमते विद्वान् स विज्ञेयो नृणां वरः ॥ ७१ ॥

Hearing her husband’s words, the wife replied: “Indeed, sins committed in the past give rise to sufferings. The wise who endure them with forbearance are known as the best among men.”

Verse 72

तन्मया पापया पापं कृतं वै पूर्वजन्मनि । तद्भजंत्या न मे दुःखं न विषादः कथंचन ॥ ७२ ॥

I—sinful as I was—indeed committed sin in a former birth. Yet, as I worship Him in bhakti, there is for me no sorrow and no despondency whatsoever.

Verse 73

एवमुक्त्वा समाश्वास्य भर्तारमनुशास्य च । अनीतं जनकाद्वित्तं बंधुभ्यो वरवर्णिनी ॥ ७३ ॥

Having spoken thus, she consoled her husband and instructed him; then that fair-complexioned lady distributed to her kinsmen the wealth brought from her father’s house.

Verse 74

क्षीरोदनिलयावासं मन्यते स्म सती पतिम् । दिवा दिवा त्रिर्यत्नेन रात्रौ गुह्यविशोधनम् ॥ ७४ ॥

That chaste lady regarded her husband as one who dwells in the abode of the Milk Ocean. Day after day, with threefold careful effort, and at night as well, she performed the secret rites of purification.

Verse 75

रजनीकरवृक्षोत्थं गृह्य निर्यासमंजसा । नखेन पातयेद्भर्तुः क्रिमीन्कुष्ठाच्छनैः शनैः ॥ ७५ ॥

Taking the sap exuded from the rajanīkara tree, one should, with ease, use the fingernail to gradually remove the worms from the husband’s leprotic lesion—slowly, little by little.

Verse 76

मयूरपुच्छसंयुक्तं पवनं चाकरोत्तदा । न देवि रात्रौ स्वपिति न दिवा च वरानना ॥ ७६ ॥

Then he produced a wind furnished with peacock-feathers; and, O goddess—O fair-faced one—she slept neither at night nor by day.

Verse 77

भर्तृदुःखेन संतप्ता अपश्यज्ज्वलितं जगत् । यद्यस्ति वसुधा देवी पितरो देवतास्तथा ॥ ७७ ॥

Scorched by grief for her husband, she saw the whole world as if ablaze. “If the goddess Earth exists, and likewise the Fathers (Pitṛs) and the gods…”

Verse 78

कुर्वंतु रोगहीनं मे भर्तारं गतकल्मषम् । चंडिकायै प्रदास्यामि रक्तं मांससमुद्भवम् ॥ ७८ ॥

“May they make my husband free from disease and cleansed of sin. To Caṇḍikā I shall offer blood—arising from flesh.”

Verse 79

नृच्छागमहिषोपेतं भर्तुरारोग्यहेतवे । सादरं कारयिष्यामि उपवासान्दशैव तु ॥ ७९ ॥

For the sake of my husband’s health, I will respectfully arrange (the rite) with offerings including a man, a goat, and a buffalo, and I will observe ten fasts indeed.

Verse 80

शरीरं स्थापयिष्येऽहं सूक्ष्मकंटकसंस्तरे । नोपभोक्ष्यामि मधुरं नोपभोक्ष्यामि वै घृतम् ॥ ८० ॥

“I shall lay my body upon a bed of fine thorns. I will not partake of sweets, nor indeed will I consume ghee.”

Verse 81

बाह्याभ्यंगविहीनाहं संस्थास्ये दिनसंचयम् । जीवतां रोगहीनो हि भर्ता मे शरदां शतम् ॥ ८१ ॥

Deprived of outer unction (oil-bath and massage), I shall waste away day by day. For my husband—while I yet live—may he remain free from disease for a hundred autumns.

Verse 82

एवं प्रव्याहरंती सा वासरे वासरे गते । अथ कालेन चाल्पेन त्रिदोषोऽस्य व्यजायत ॥ ८२ ॥

Thus, as she kept uttering those words day after day, before long the triad of doṣas—vāta, pitta, and kapha—arose in him as a disorder.

Verse 83

त्रिकटुं प्रददौ भर्तुर्यत्नेन महता तदा । शीतार्तः कंपमानोऽसौ पत्न्यंगुलिमखंडयत् ॥ ८३ ॥

Then, with great effort, she gave her husband trikaṭu—the three pungent spices. But he, afflicted by cold and trembling, ended up crushing and injuring his wife’s finger.

Verse 84

उभयोर्दतयोः श्लेषः सहसा समपद्यत । तत्खंडमंगुलेर्वक्त्रे स्थितं नृपतिवल्लभे ॥ ८४ ॥

Suddenly their teeth struck and caught against each other; and a broken fragment lodged in Aṅguli’s mouth—she who was dear to the king.

Verse 85

अथ विक्रीय वलयं क्रीत्वा काष्ठानि भूरिशः । चितां सार्पिर्युतां चक्रे मध्ये धृत्वा पतिं तदा ॥ ८५ ॥

Then, having sold her bangle and bought abundant firewood, she prepared a funeral pyre anointed with ghee; and at that time she placed her husband in the middle of it.

Verse 86

अवरुह्य च बाहुभ्यां पादेनाकृष्य पावकम् । मुखे सुखं समाधाय हृदये हृदयं तथा ॥ ८६ ॥

Descending, and drawing the sacred fire toward himself with his arms and with his foot, he then placed sukha—comfort—in the mouth, and likewise set the heart within the heart.

Verse 87

जघने जघनं देवि आत्मनः संनिवेश्य वै । दाहयामास कल्याणी भर्तुर्देहं रुजान्वितम् ॥ ८७ ॥

O Goddess, placing her own hips upon his hips, the auspicious lady burned the body of her husband, though it was afflicted with pain.

Verse 88

आत्मना सह चार्वंगी ज्वलिते जातवेदसि ॥ ८८ ॥

With her very self, the fair-limbed woman entered the blazing Jātavedas, the sacred fire.

Verse 89

विमुच्य देहं सहसा जगाम पतिं समादाय च देवलोकम् । विशोधयित्वा बहुपापसंघान्स्वकर्मणा दुष्करसाधनेन ॥ ८९ ॥

Casting off her body, she departed at once—taking her husband with her—to the world of the gods, having purified heaps of sins by her own deed, accomplished through a difficult spiritual observance.

Verse 90

इति श्रीबृहन्नारदीयपुराणोत्तरभागे पतिव्रतोपाख्यानं नाम षोडशोऽध्यायः ॥ १६ ॥

Thus ends the sixteenth chapter, called “The Narrative of the Pativratā (the devoted chaste wife),” in the Uttara-bhāga of the venerable Bṛhannāradīya Purāṇa.