Adhyaya 47

Verse 1

सप्तचत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः । सुकलोवाच । सुदेवा चारुसर्वांगी तामुवाचाथ सूकरीम् । पशुयोनिं गता त्वं हि कथं वदसि संस्कृतम्

Sukala said: “Sudevā, beautiful and well-proportioned, then spoke to that sow: ‘You have entered an animal womb—how is it that you speak refined Sanskrit?’”

Verse 2

एवंविधं महाज्ञानं कस्माद्भूतं वदस्व मे । कथं जानासि वै भर्तुश्चरित्रमात्मनः शुभे

Tell me: from what source did such great knowledge arise? And how do you know, O auspicious one, the account of your husband’s life and deeds?

Verse 3

शूकर्युवाच । पशोर्भावेन मोहेन मुष्टाहं वरवर्णिनि । निहता खड्गबाणैश्च पतिता रणमूर्धनि

Śūkarī said: “O fair-complexioned lady, deluded by the brutish state of mind, I rushed forward with clenched fists; struck down by swords and arrows, I fell upon the battlefield.”

Verse 4

मूर्च्छयाभिपरिक्लिन्ना ज्ञानहीना वरानने । त्वयाभिषिक्ता येनाहं पुण्यहस्तेन सुंदरि

Overcome and drenched by faintness, and bereft of awareness, O lovely-faced one—yet you sprinkled me, O beautiful lady, with your holy hand, and I was revived.

Verse 5

पुण्योदकेन शीतेन तव हस्तगतेन वै । अभिषिक्ते हि मे काये मोहो नष्टो विहाय माम्

When my body was sprinkled with the cool, sacred water held in your hand, my delusion was destroyed and left me.

Verse 6

यथा विनाशं तेजोभिरंधकारः प्रयाति सः । तथा तवाभिषेकेण मम पापं गतं शुभे

Just as darkness is destroyed by the rays of light, so, O auspicious one, by your abhiṣeka my sin has been dispelled.

Verse 7

प्रसादात्तव चार्वंगि लब्धं ज्ञानं पुरातनम् । पुण्यां गतिं प्रयास्यामि इति ज्ञातं मया शुभे

By your grace, O fair-limbed one, I have obtained the ancient knowledge; and, O auspicious one, I now understand that I shall proceed to a blessed destiny.

Verse 8

श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि पूर्वं वृत्तांतमात्मनः । यत्कृतं तु मया भद्रे पापया दुष्कृतं बहु

Listen—now I shall relate the former account of my own life: what was done by me, O good lady—though sinful—many wrongful deeds indeed.

Verse 9

कलिंगाख्ये महादेशे श्रीपुरंनाम पत्तनम् । सर्वसिद्धिसमाकीर्णं चतुर्वर्णनिषेवितम्

In the great country called Kaliṅga there is a city named Śrīpura—a town filled with every kind of accomplishment and frequented by all four varṇas.

Verse 10

वसति स्म द्विजः कोपि वसुदत्त इति श्रुतः । ब्रह्माचारपरोनित्यं सत्यधर्मपरायणः

There lived a certain twice-born man, known by the name Vasudatta. He was ever devoted to brahmacarya and steadfastly committed to truth and dharma.

Verse 11

वेदवेत्ता ज्ञानवेत्ता शुचिमान्गुणवान्धनी । धनधान्यसमाकीर्णः पुत्रपौत्रैरलंकृतः

He becomes a knower of the Vedas and a bearer of true wisdom—pure, virtuous, and wealthy; overflowing with riches and grain, and adorned with sons and grandsons.

Verse 12

तस्याहं तनया भद्रे सोदरैः स्वजनबांधवैः । अलंकारैस्तु शृंगारैर्भूषितास्मि वरानने

O noble lady, I am his daughter; and with my brothers and my own kinsmen and relatives, I have been adorned with ornaments and bridal finery, O beautiful-faced one.

Verse 13

सुदेवानाम मे तातश्चकार स महामतिः । तस्याहं दयिता नित्यं पितुश्चापि महामते

My father—the great-minded one—gave me the name Sudevā. I was always dear to him as well, O great sage.

Verse 14

रूपेणाप्रतिमा जाता संसारे नास्ति तादृशी । रूपयौवनगर्वेण मत्ताहं चारुहासिनी

In beauty I have become without equal; in this world there is none like me. Intoxicated by pride in my beauty and youth, I smile charmingly.

Verse 15

अहं कन्या सुरूपा वै सर्वालंकारशोभिता । मां च दृष्ट्वा ततो लोकाः सर्वे स्वजनवर्गकाः

“I am a maiden, truly beautiful in form, adorned with every ornament; and on seeing me, all the people there—along with their own kinsfolk—turned their gaze toward me, captivated.”

Verse 16

मामेवं याचमानास्ते विवाहार्थे वरानने । याचिताहं द्विजैः सर्वैर्न ददाति पिता मम

O fair-faced one, though those men thus keep petitioning me for marriage, and though all the brāhmaṇas have sought me, my father does not give me in marriage.

Verse 17

स्नेहाच्चैव महाभागे मुमोह स महामतिः । न दत्ताहं तदा तेन पित्रा चैव महात्मना

Out of affection, O fortunate lady, that great-minded man became bewildered. At that time my father, that great-souled one, did not give me in marriage.

Verse 18

संप्राप्तं यौवनं बाले मयि भावसमन्वितम् । रूपं मे तादृशं दृष्ट्वा मम माता सुदुःखिता

“O girl, youth came upon me together with intense feeling; and seeing my appearance to be thus, my mother became deeply distressed.”

Verse 19

पितरं मे उवाचाथ कस्मात्कन्या न दीयते । त्वं कस्मै सुद्विजायैव ब्राह्मणाय महात्मने

Then I said to my father: “Why is the maiden not being given in marriage? To which noble twice-born—indeed, to which great-souled brāhmaṇa—will you give her?”

Verse 20

देहि कन्यां महाभाग संप्राप्ता यौवनं त्वियम् । वसुदत्तो द्विजश्रेष्ठः प्रत्युवाच द्विजोत्तमः

“Give me your daughter, O greatly fortunate one—she has now reached youth.” Thus spoke Vasudatta, the foremost of the twice-born, addressing the best among brāhmaṇas.

Verse 21

मातरं मे महाभागे श्रूयतां वचनं मम । महामोहेनमुग्धोऽस्मि सुताया वरवर्णिनि

O most fortunate mother, please hear my words. O fair-complexioned one, I am utterly deluded by a great infatuation for your daughter.

Verse 22

यो मे गृहस्थो विप्रो वै भविष्यति शुभे शृणु । तस्मै कन्यां प्रदास्यामि जामात्रे तु न संशयः

Listen, O auspicious lady: whoever becomes a brāhmaṇa householder for me—without doubt, to him I shall give my daughter as a bride, as my son-in-law.

Verse 23

मम प्राणप्रिया चैषा सुदेवा नात्र संशयः । एवमूचे मदर्थे स वसुदत्तः पिता मम

“This Sudevā is dear to me as my very life—of that there is no doubt.” So spoke my father Vasudatta on my behalf.

Verse 24

कौशिकस्य कुले जातः सर्वविद्याविशारदः । ब्राह्मणानां गुणैर्युक्तः शीलवान्गुणवाञ्छुचिः

Born in the lineage of Kauśika, he was well-versed in all branches of knowledge. Endowed with the virtues of brāhmaṇas, he was of good conduct, possessed of excellence, and pure.

Verse 25

वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नं पठमानं हि सुस्वरम् । भिक्षार्थं द्वारमायांतं पितृमातृविवर्जितम्

A youth accomplished in Vedic study, reciting with a melodious voice, came to the door seeking alms—deprived of both father and mother.

Verse 26

तं दृष्ट्वासमनुप्राप्तं रूपं वीक्ष्य महामतिः । तं प्रोवाच पिता एवं को भवान्वै भविष्यति

Seeing him arrive and beholding his form, the wise one—his father—spoke thus: “Who are you indeed, and what will you become?”

Verse 27

किं ते नाम कुलं गोत्रमाचारं वद सांप्रतम् । समाकर्ण्य पितुर्वाक्यं वसुदत्तमुवाच सः

“What is your name, your family, your gotra, and your conduct? Tell me now.” Hearing his father’s words, he then spoke to Vasudatta.

Verse 28

कौशिकस्यान्वये जातो वेदवेदांगपारगः । शिवशर्मेति मे नाम पितृमातृविवर्जितः

I was born in the lineage of Kauśika, well-versed in the Vedas and the Vedāṅgas. My name is Śivaśarman, and I am bereft of both father and mother.

Verse 29

संति मे भ्रातरश्चान्ये चत्वारो वेदपारगाः । एवं कुलं समाख्यातमाचारः कुलसंभवः

“I also have four other brothers, all well-versed in the Vedas. Thus I have described my lineage; for customary conduct is born from one’s family tradition.”

Verse 30

एवं सर्वं समाख्यातं पितरं शिवशर्मणा । शुभे लग्ने तिथौ प्राप्ते नक्षत्रे भगदैवते

Thus Śivaśarman fully related everything to his father—when an auspicious lagna and tithi had arrived, and when the nakṣatra presided over by Bhaga was in effect.

Verse 31

पित्रा दत्तास्मि सुभगे तस्मै विप्राय वै तदा । पितृगेहे वसाम्येका तेन सार्धं महात्मना

O fortunate one, at that time my father gave me in marriage to that brāhmaṇa. Yet I dwell alone in my father’s house, together with that great-souled man.

Verse 32

नैव शुश्रूषितो भर्ता मया स पापया तदा । पितृमातृसुद्रव्येण गर्वेणापि प्रमोहिता

Then I—sinful as I was—did not serve my husband at all, deluded even by pride arising from my father’s and mother’s wealth.

Verse 33

अंगसंवाहनं तस्य न कृतं हि मया कदा । रतिभावेन स्नेहेन वचनेन मया शुभे

I have never, at any time, massaged his limbs—neither with amorous intent, nor with affection, nor even with sweet words, O auspicious one.

Verse 34

क्रूरबुद्ध्या हि दृष्टोसौ सर्वदा पापया मया । पुंश्चलीनां प्रसंगेन तद्भावं हि गता शुभे

With a cruel-minded outlook, I—sinful as I was—always regarded him thus. O auspicious one, through association with wanton women, I indeed came to share their disposition.

Verse 35

मातापित्रोश्च भर्तुश्च भ्रातॄणां हितमेव च । न करोम्यहमेवापि यत्रयत्र व्रजाम्यहम्

Wherever I go, I do not even do what is beneficial for my mother and father, for my husband, and for my brothers.

Verse 36

एवं मे दुष्कृतं दृष्ट्वा शिवशर्मा पतिर्मम । स्नेहाच्छ्वशुरवर्गस्य मम भर्त्ता महामतिः

Seeing thus the misdeed done by me, my husband Śivaśarmā—my great-minded lord—out of affection for my father-in-law’s family and kin, acted accordingly.

Verse 37

न किंचिद्वक्ति मां सोपि क्षमते दुष्कृतं मम । वार्यमाणा कुटुंबेन अहमेवं सुपापिनी

He too says nothing to me, yet he endures my wrongdoing. Even when restrained by the family, I remain like this—most sinful.

Verse 38

तस्य शीलं विदित्वा ते साधुत्वं शिवशर्मणः । पितामाता च मे सर्वे मम पापेन दुःखिताः

Having come to know his conduct and the saintliness of Śivaśarmā, all my family—my father and mother as well—have been made sorrowful by my sin.

Verse 39

भर्त्ता मे दुष्कृतं दृष्ट्वा स्वगृहान्निर्गतो बहिः । तं देशं ग्राममेनं च परित्यज्य गतस्ततः

Seeing my wrongdoing, my husband left our home and went outside; abandoning that region and this very village, he departed from there.

Verse 40

गते भर्तरि मे तातः संजातश्चिंतयान्वितः । मम दुःखेन दुःखात्मा यथा रोगेण पीडितः

When my husband had departed, my father became filled with anxious worry; pained at heart by my sorrow, he suffered as though afflicted by a disease.

Verse 41

मम माता उवाचैनं भर्तारं दुःखपीडितम् । कस्माच्चिंतयसे कांत वद दुःखं ममाग्रतः

My mother said to that husband, afflicted with sorrow: “Why do you worry, beloved? Tell me your grief here before me.”

Verse 42

वसुदत्त उवाचैनां मातरं मम नंदने । सुतां त्यक्त्वा गतो विप्रो जामाता शृणु वल्लभे

Vasudatta said: “In my pleasure-grove, this woman is the mother. The brāhmaṇa—my son-in-law—abandoned his wife and went away. Listen, my beloved.”

Verse 43

इयं पापसमाचारा निर्घृणा पापचारिणी । अनया हि परित्यक्तः शिवशर्मा महामतिः

This woman is of sinful conduct—merciless and given to wrongdoing. Indeed, because of her, the great-minded Śivaśarmā has been abandoned.

Verse 44

समस्तस्य कुटुंबस्य दाक्षिण्येन महामतिः । ममायं स द्विजः कांते सुदेवां नैव भाषते

“Though he is greatly esteemed for his generosity toward the whole household, O beloved, that twice-born man—who is mine—does not speak at all to Sudevā.”

Verse 45

वसते सौम्यभावेन नैव निंदति कुत्सति । सुदेवां पापसंचारां स वै पंडितबुद्धिमान्

He lives with a gentle disposition; he neither censures nor insults. Whether among the virtuous or amid those moving in sin, he is truly one of wise and discerning intellect.

Verse 46

भविष्यति त्वियं दुष्टा सुदेवा कुलनाशिनी । अहमेनां परित्यज्य व्रजामि गृहवासिनि

This Sudevā will become wicked; she will be the destroyer of the family line. Therefore, abandoning her, I depart, O lady of the house.

Verse 47

इति श्रीपद्मपुराणे भूमिखंडे वेनोपाख्याने सुकलाचरित्रे । सप्तचत्वारिंशोऽध्यायः

Thus, in the revered Padma Purāṇa, in the Bhūmi-khaṇḍa, within the narrative of Vena—specifically the account of Sukalā—ends the forty-seventh chapter.

Verse 48

तावद्विलाडयेत्पुत्रं यावत्स्यात्पंचवार्षिकः । शिक्षाबुद्ध्या सदा कांत पुनर्मोहेन पोषयेत्

One should indulge and play with one’s son until he becomes five years old. Thereafter, O beloved, one should raise him with the aim of training and instruction, and not nurture him again out of deluded attachment.

Verse 49

स्नानाच्छादनकैर्भक्ष्यैर्भोज्यैः पेयैर्न संशयः । गुणेषु योजयेत्कांत सद्विद्यासु च तं सुतम्

By providing bathing, clothing, provisions, cooked foods, and drinks—without doubt—one should also guide that dear son toward good qualities and the true branches of knowledge.

Verse 50

गुणशिक्षार्थंनिर्मोहः पिता भवति सर्वदा । पालने पोषणे कांत संमोहः परिजायते

For the sake of teaching virtue, a father should always remain free from delusion; yet in protecting and nurturing, O beloved, attachment and confusion tend to arise.

Verse 51

सगुणं न वदेत्पुत्रं कुत्सयेच्च दिनेदिने । काठिन्यं च वदेन्नित्यं वचनैः परिपीडयेत्

One should not address one’s son by praising his good qualities; rather, day after day one should reproach him, speak harshly at all times, and torment him with words.

Verse 52

यथाहि साधयेन्नित्यं सुविद्यां ज्ञानतत्परः । अभिमानेच्छलेनापि पापं त्यक्त्वा प्रदूरतः

Just as one devoted to knowledge should constantly cultivate true learning, so too should one cast off sin far away—even under the pretext of pride.

Verse 53

नैपुण्यं जायते नित्यं विद्यासु च गुणेषु च । माता च ताडयेत्कन्यां स्नुषां श्वश्रूर्विताडयेत्

Skill and refinement are steadily cultivated through learning and through virtues. Therefore, a mother should discipline her daughter, and a mother-in-law should likewise discipline her daughter-in-law.

Verse 54

गुरुश्च ताडयेच्छिष्यं ततः सिध्यंति नान्यथा । भार्यां च ताडयेत्कांत अमात्यं नृपतिस्तथा

A teacher should discipline a student—only then, they say, success is attained, not otherwise. Likewise, a husband should discipline his wife, and a king should discipline his minister as well.

Verse 55

हयं च ताडयेद्धीरो गजं मात्रो दिनेदिने । शिक्षाबुद्ध्या प्रसिध्यंति ताडनात्पालनाद्विभो

O mighty one, a steady and discerning man should discipline a horse and an elephant in measured ways, day after day. With the intention of training, they become well-trained through correction and through proper care.

Verse 56

त्वयेयं नाशिता नाथ सर्वदैव न संशयः । सार्धं सुब्राह्मणेनापि भवता शिवशर्मणा

O Lord, it is you who have destroyed her—of this there is never any doubt. You, Śivaśarman, did it as well, together with that virtuous brāhmaṇa.

Verse 57

निरंकुशा कृता गेहे तेन नष्टा महामते । तावद्धि धारयेत्कन्यां गृहे कांतवचः शृणु

O great-minded one, when she was left unchecked within the household, she was thereby ruined. Therefore a maiden should be kept under restraint at home—listen to these prudent words.

Verse 58

अष्टवर्षान्विता यावत्प्रबलां नैव धारयेत् । पितुर्गेहस्थिता पुत्री यत्पापं हि प्रकुर्वती

So long as she has not yet reached eight years of age, one should not impose strict disciplines upon her. For a daughter living in her father’s house may, in the course of things, come to commit some sin.

Verse 59

उभाभ्यामपि तत्पापं पितृभ्यामपि विंदति । तस्मान्न धार्यते कन्या समर्था निजमंदिरे

That sin is incurred by both (parties), and it is also borne by the parents. Therefore, even if a maiden is capable, she should not be kept (unmarried) in her own house.

Verse 60

यस्य दत्ता भवेत्सा च तस्य गेहे प्रपोषयेत् । तत्रस्था साधयेत्कांतं सगुणं भक्तिपूर्वकम्

She who has been given (in marriage) should be cared for and maintained in the house of the one to whom she is given; dwelling there, she should worship her beloved Lord—His personal, manifest form, endowed with virtues—with devotion.

Verse 61

कुलस्य जायते कीर्तिः पिता सुखेन जीवति । तत्रस्था कुरुते पापं तत्पापं भुंजते पतिः

Through her a family gains good repute, and the father lives in ease; but if a woman, dwelling there, commits sin, it is her husband who partakes of that sin.

Verse 62

तत्रस्था वर्द्धते नित्यं पुत्रैः पौत्रैः सदैव सा । पिता कीर्तिमवाप्नोति सुतायाः सुगुणैः प्रिय

Living there, she continually prospers through her sons and grandsons. And the father, dear one, attains renown because of his daughter’s noble virtues.

Verse 63

तस्मान्न धारयेत्कांत गेहे पुत्रीं सभर्तृकाम् । इत्यर्थे श्रूयते कांत इतिहासो भविष्यति

Therefore, O beloved, one should not keep in one’s house a daughter who is intent on having a husband. In this sense, O beloved, a narrative is heard—and a story will follow.

Verse 64

अष्टविंशतिके प्राप्ते युगे द्वापरके महान् । उग्रसेनस्य वीरस्य यदुज्येष्ठस्य यत्प्रभो

When the twenty-eighth Dvāpara age had arrived, there appeared the great one, O lord, born of the heroic Ugrasena, foremost among the Yadus.

Verse 65

चरित्रं ते प्रवक्ष्यमि शृणुष्वैकमना द्विज

I shall tell you the account; listen with one-pointed attention, O twice-born one.