Adhyaya 208: Narration of the Exemplum of the Pativratā (Devoted Wife)

Verse 1

अथ पतिव्रतोपाख्यानवर्णनम् ॥ ऋषिपुत्र उवाच ॥ मुहूर्त्तस्य तु कालस्य दिव्याभरणभूषितान् ॥ प्रयातान्दिवि संप्रेक्ष्य विमानैः सूर्यसन्निभैः

Now begins the description of the narrative concerning the devoted wife. The sage’s son said: After a short while, seeing them depart through the sky, adorned with divine ornaments, in vimānas radiant like the sun, he spoke.

Verse 2

ब्राह्मणास्तपसा सिद्धाः सपत्नीकाः सबान्धवाः ॥ सानुरागा ह्युभयतो मन्युनाभिपरिप्लुताः

The brāhmaṇas, perfected through austerity, together with their wives and kinsmen, though affectionate, were on both sides overwhelmed by anger.

Verse 3

विवर्णवदनो राजा प्रभातेजोविवर्जितः ॥ अचिरादेव सञ्जातः क्रोधेन भृशदुःखितः

The king (Yama), his face turned pale and bereft of radiance and splendor, soon became intensely distressed because of anger.

Verse 4

तं तथा निष्प्रभं दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजं तपोधनः ॥ नारदश्चाब्रवीत्तत्र ज्ञात्वा तस्य मनोगतम्

Seeing Dharmarāja thus without radiance, Nārada, the treasure among ascetics, spoke there, having understood what was in his mind.

Verse 5

अपि त्वं भ्राजमानस्तु पशोः पतिरिवापरः ॥ कस्मात्ते शोभनं वक्त्रं क्षणाद्वैवर्ण्यमापतत्

Though you shine—like another lord of creatures—why has your handsome face, in an instant, fallen into pallor?

Verse 6

विनिःश्वसन्यथा नागः कस्मात्त्वं परितप्यसे ॥ राजन्कस्माद्बिभेषि त्वमेतदिच्छामि वेदितुम्

Sighing like a serpent, why are you tormented? O king, why do you fear? This I wish to know.

Verse 7

यम उवाच ॥ विवर्णं जायते वक्त्रं शुष्यते न च संशयः ॥ यन्मया हीदृशं दृष्टं श्रूयतां तन्महामुने

Yama said: The face becomes pale and dries up—there is no doubt. What I have seen of this kind—listen to that, O great sage.

Verse 8

यायावरास्तु ये विप्रा उञ्छवृत्तिपरायणाः ॥ दृढस्वाध्यायतपसो ह्रीमन्तो ह्यनसूयकाः

Those brāhmaṇas who are wanderers, devoted to subsisting by gleaning, firm in self-study and austerity—modest, and indeed free from malice—(I encountered).

Verse 9

अतिथिप्रियकाश्चैव नित्ययुक्ता जितेन्द्रियाः ॥ ते त्वहम्मानिनः सर्वे गच्छन्त्युपरि मे द्विज

They are also lovers of guests, ever disciplined, and masters of their senses. Yet all of them, being self-regarding, go above me, O brāhmaṇa.

Verse 10

दिव्यगन्धैर्विलिप्ताङ्गा माल्यभूषितवाससः ॥ सृजन्तो मम माल्यानि तेन ताम्ये द्विजोत्तम ॥

Their bodies are anointed with divine fragrances, and their garments are adorned with garlands and ornaments. As they continually fashion garlands for me, O best of the twice-born, I am thereby wearied.

Verse 11

मृत्यो तिष्ठसि कस्यार्थे को वा मृत्युḥ कथं भवेत् ॥ कि त्वं न भाषसे मृत्यो ब्रूहि लोके निरर्थकः ॥

O Death, for whose purpose do you stand here? Who indeed is ‘Death’, and how does death come to be? Why do you not speak, O Death? Tell me—otherwise you are purposeless in the world.

Verse 12

लोभासक्तान्सदा हंसि पापिष्ठान्धर्मवर्जितान् ॥ एषां तपसि सिद्धानां नाहं विग्रहवानिह ॥

You always strike down those attached to greed—those most sinful, devoid of dharma. But with these persons perfected through ascetic discipline (tapas), I have no power of confrontation here.

Verse 13

निग्रहानुग्रहौ नापि मया शक्यौ महात्मनाम् ॥ कर्त्तुं वा प्रतिषेद्धुं वा तेन तप्ये भृशं मुने ॥

Neither punishment nor favor can be effected by me in the case of great-souled ones—whether to carry it out or to restrain it. Therefore I burn with distress, O sage.

Verse 14

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र विमानॆन महाद्युतिः ॥ पतिव्रता समं भर्त्रा सानुगा सपरिच्छदा ॥

Meanwhile, at that place, a radiant pativratā arrived in a celestial chariot (vimāna), together with her husband—accompanied by attendants and with her full retinue.

Verse 15

महताऽतूर्यघोषेण सम्प्राप्ता प्रियदर्शना ॥ धर्मराजहितं सर्वं धर्मज्ञा धर्मवत्सला ॥

With a great resounding of musical instruments she arrived—pleasing to behold—one who knows dharma, cherishes dharma, and acts wholly for the welfare of Dharmarāja.

Verse 16

साऽब्रवीत्तु विमानस्था साधयन्ती शुभाङ्गना ॥ विचित्रं प्रसृतं वाक्यं सर्वसत्त्वसुखावहम् ॥

Then the auspicious woman, seated in the celestial chariot, spoke—setting forth a varied and well-extended discourse, conducive to the welfare of all beings.

Verse 17

पतिव्रतोवाच ॥ धर्मराज महाबाहो कृतज्ञः सर्वसम्मतः ॥ मैवमीर्‌षां कुरुष्व त्वं ब्राह्मणेषु तपस्विसु ॥ एतेषां तपसां वीर माहात्म्यं बलमेव च ॥ अचिन्त्याः सर्वभूतानां ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः ॥

The Pativratā said: O Dharmarāja, mighty-armed, grateful and esteemed by all—do not foster such jealousy toward brāhmaṇas who are ascetics. Hero, the greatness and strength of their austerities (tapas) are truly extraordinary; brāhmaṇas who have crossed to the far shore of the Veda are inconceivable in power to all beings.

Verse 18

त्वया शुभाशुभं कर्म नित्यं पूजा मनस्विनाम् ॥ रागो वा रोषमोहौ वा न कर्तव्यौ सदा सताम् ॥

You should continually discern auspicious and inauspicious deeds, and honor those of noble mind. Among the good, neither attachment nor anger nor delusion should ever be put into action.

Verse 19

प्रयाता गगने दृष्टा विद्युत्सौदामिनी यथा ॥ दृष्ट्वा पतिव्रतां नारीं धर्मराजेन पूजिताम् ॥

She was seen moving across the sky like a flash of lightning. Having seen the pativratā woman honored by Dharmarāja, the narrative continues.

Verse 20

अब्रवीन् नारदस्तत्र धर्मराजं तथागतम् ।

There, Nārada spoke to Dharmarāja (Yama), who had arrived.

Verse 21

नारद उवाच ॥ का चैषा सुमहाभागा सुरूपा प्रमदोत्तमा ॥ या त्वया पूजिता राजन् हितमुक्त्वा गता पुनः ।

Nārada said: “Who is this exceedingly fortunate lady—beautiful, the best among women—whom you honored, O king, and who, after speaking what was beneficial, departed again?”

Verse 22

एतदिच्छाम्यहं ज्ञातुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे ॥ एतनमे सुमहाभाग कथयस्व समासतः ।

“I wish to know this; indeed my curiosity is great. O highly fortunate one, tell me this concisely.”

Verse 23

यम उवाच ॥ अहं ते कथयिष्यामि कथां परमशोभनाम् ॥ एषा मया यथा तात पूजितापि च कृत्स्नशः ।

Yama said: “I shall tell you a supremely splendid account—how this one was honored by me, dear one, in full detail.”

Verse 24

पुरा कृतयुगे तात निमिर्नाम महायशाः ॥ आसीद्राजा महातेजाः सत्यसन्ध इति श्रुतः ।

“Formerly, in the Kṛtayuga, dear one, there was a king named Nimi, of great renown and great splendor, known as one steadfast in truth.”

Verse 25

तस्य पुत्रो मिथिर्नाम जननाज्जनकोऽभवत् ॥ तस्य रूपवती नाम पत्नी प्रियहिते रता ।

His son was named Mithi; by the very act of begetting he became known as Janaka. His wife, named Rūpavatī, was devoted to what was dear and beneficial.

Verse 26

सा चाप शुभकर्माणि पतिभक्ता पतिव्रता ॥ प्रीत्या परमया युक्ता भर्त्तुर्वचनकारिणी ।

She performed auspicious deeds; devoted to her husband and faithful to her marital vow, she was endowed with profound affection and acted in accordance with her husband’s words.

Verse 27

य इमां पृथिवीं सर्वां धर्मेण परिपालयन् ॥ न व्याधिर्न जरा मृत्युस् तस्मिन् राजनि शासति ।

When that king governed—protecting this entire earth through dharma—there was neither disease, nor old age, nor death afflicting the people under his rule.

Verse 28

ववर्ष सततं देवस् तस्य राष्ट्रे महाद्युतेः ॥ एवं बहुगुणोपेतं तस्य राज्यं महात्मनः ।

In the realm of that greatly radiant king, the deity of rain rained continually. Thus the kingdom of that great-souled ruler was endowed with many excellences.

Verse 29

न कश्चिद् दृश्यते मर्त्यो रुजार्त्तो दुःखितोऽपि वा ॥ अथात्र बहुकालस्य राजानं मिथिलाधिपम् ।

No mortal was seen afflicted by illness or even distressed. Then, after a long time, (something befell) the king, the lord of Mithilā…

Verse 30

उवाच राज्ञी विप्रेन्द्र विनयात्प्रश्रितं वचः ।

The queen spoke, addressing the foremost of Brahmins, with words bowed in humility.

Verse 31

राज्ञ्युवाच ॥ भृत्यानां च द्विजातीनां तथा परिजनस्य च ॥ यदस्ति द्रविणं किञ्चित्पृथिव्यां यद्गृहे च ते ।

The queen said: “For the servants, for the twice-born, and likewise for the household attendants—whatever wealth there is, whether on the land or in your home…”

Verse 32

विनियुक्तं तु तत्सर्वं सान्निध्यं तु तथा त्वया ॥ न च राजन् विजानासि भोजनस्य प्रशंससि ।

“…all of that has been duly allocated, and you too have been present to oversee it. Yet, O king, you do not recognize it; you speak in praise of ‘food’ as though it were lacking.”

Verse 33

नास्ति तन्नियमः कश्चित्पुष्पमूल्यं च नास्ति नः ॥ न वा गवादिकं किञ्चिन्न च वस्त्राणि कर्हिचित् ।

“There is no fixed regulation for that, and we have no funds even for the price of flowers. Nor do we have any cattle and the like—nor garments at any time.”

Verse 34

न चैव वार्षिकः कश्चिद्विद्यते भाजनस्य च ॥ दृश्यते हि महाराज मम चैवाथ सुव्रत ।

“And there is no annual supply at all, even of vessels. This is indeed seen, O great king—by me as well, and also by you, O man of good vows.”

Verse 35

यत्कर्तव्यं मया वापि तन्मे ब्रूहि नराधिप । कर्त्र्यस्म्यहं विशेषेण यद्वाक्यमपि मन्यसे ।

“Tell me, O ruler of men, what I too should do. I shall act—most especially—according to whatever instruction you deem fitting.”

Verse 36

तद्ब्रवीमि यथाशक्त्या यदि मे मन्यसे प्रिये ॥ हविष्ये वर्त्तमानानामिदं वर्षशतं गतम् ।

“Then I shall speak to the best of my ability, if you approve, dear one: for those who subsist on haviṣya, this span of a hundred years has now passed.”

Verse 37

कुद्दालेन हि काष्ठेन क्षेत्रं वै कुर्महे प्रिये ॥ ततो धर्मविधिं तत्त्वात्प्राप्नुयां मे न संशयः ।

“With a hoe and with wood—simple implements—dear one, we indeed cultivate the field. From that, in truth, I shall attain the proper order of dharma; of this I have no doubt.”

Verse 38

भक्ष्यं भोज्यं च ये ये च ततस्त्वं सुखमाप्स्यसि ॥ एवमुक्ता ततो राज्ञी राजानमिदमब्रवीत् ।

“Whatever foods are edible, and whatever are fit to be eaten—then you will attain comfort.” Thus addressed, the queen then spoke this to the king.

Verse 39

देव्युवाच ॥ भृत्यानां तु सहस्राणि तव राजन्निवेशने ॥ अश्वानां च गजानां च सैरिभाणां तथैव च ।

The queen said: “In your residence, O king, there are indeed thousands of servants—and likewise horses, elephants, and buffaloes as well.”

Verse 40

उष्ट्राणां महिषाणां च खराणां च महायशाः ॥ एते सर्वे कथं राजन्न कुर्वन्ति तवेप्सितम् ॥

O highly renowned one, you have camels, buffaloes, and donkeys—how is it, O king, that all these do not accomplish what you desire?

Verse 41

राजोवाच ॥ नियुक्तानि हि कर्माणि वार्षिकानीतराणि च ॥ सर्वकर्माणि कुर्वन्ति ये भृत्या मे वरानने ॥

The king said: Indeed, the tasks assigned—whether seasonal (annual) or other—are all carried out by those servants of mine, O fair-faced one.

Verse 42

बलीवर्दाः खराऽश्वा गजा उष्ट्रा ह्यनेकशः ॥ सर्वे नियुक्ता मे देवि सर्वकर्मसु शोभने ॥

Oxen, donkeys, horses, elephants, and many camels—O goddess—are all assigned by me to every kind of work, O auspicious one.

Verse 43

आयसँ त्रापुषँ ताम्रँ राजतँ काञ्चनँ तथा ॥ नियुक्तानि तु सर्वाणि सर्वकर्मस्वनिन्दिते ॥

Iron, tin, copper, silver, and likewise gold—indeed all of these are employed in every kind of work, O blameless one.

Verse 44

ननु पश्याम्यहं देवि किञ्चिद्धैमं न चायसम् ॥ येन कुर्यामहं देवि कुद्दालं सुसमाहितः ॥

Yet, O lady, I see something made of gold—but not of iron—by which, O lady, I might make a spade (kuddāla), with proper readiness and care.

Verse 45

गच्छ राजन् यथाकाममनुयास्यामि पृष्ठतः ॥ एवमुक्तः सुनिष्क्रान्तः सभार्यः स नरेश्वरः ॥

“Go, O king, as you wish; I shall follow behind.” Thus addressed, that lord of men set out, together with his wife.

Verse 46

ततो राजा च देवी च क्षेत्रं मृगयतस्तदा ॥ गतौ च परमाध्वानं ततो राजाब्रवीदिदम् ॥

Then the king and the lady, seeking out a field, went along a long stretch of road; thereafter the king spoke as follows.

Verse 47

इदं भद्रं मम क्षेत्रमास्वात्र वरवर्णिनि ॥ यावद्गुल्मानिमान् भद्रे कण्टकांश्च वरानने ॥

“This, O auspicious one, is my excellent field; sit here, O fair-complexioned lady—until (I deal with) these shrubs, O good lady, and these thorns, O beautiful-faced one.”

Verse 48

अहं छिनद्मि वै देवि त्वमेताञ्छोधय प्रिये ॥ एष ते कर्म योगस्तु ततो प्राप्स्यामि चेप्सितम् ॥

“I will cut them down, O lady; you, beloved, clear these away. This is your appropriate share of work; then I shall obtain what is desired.”

Verse 49

एवमुक्ता महादेवी तेन राज्ञा तपोधन ॥ उवाच मधुरं वाक्यं प्रहसन्ती नृपाङ्गना ॥

Thus addressed by the king, O one rich in ascetic merit, the great lady—the royal woman—smiling, spoke sweet words.

Verse 50

वृक्षोऽत्र दृश्यते पार्श्वे सौवर्णो गुल्म एव च ॥ पानीयस्य तु सान्निध्यं न किञ्चिदिह दृश्यते ॥

Here, at the side, a tree is seen, and likewise a golden shrub; yet no presence of drinking water is seen here at all.

Verse 51

कथं क्षेत्रं करिष्यावो हृद्रोगस्य तु कारकम् ॥ इयं नदी ह्ययं वृक्ष इयं भूमिः समांसला ॥

How are we to make this a proper site, when it is a cause of heart-disease? Here is a river, here a tree; and this ground is soft and rich with substance.

Verse 52

अस्मिन्वपि कृतं कर्म कथं गुणकरं भवेत् ॥ तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

Even if an act were performed in such a place, how could it become beneficial? Hearing her words, the king spoke in reply.

Verse 53

शुभं सानुनयं वाक्यं भूतानां गुणवत्सलः ॥ पूर्वगृहे भवेत्पूर्वं विनियुक्तं तथा प्रिये ॥

He, affectionate toward the welfare of beings, spoke auspicious words with gentle persuasion: “Beloved, let what was previously assigned be established first in the earlier dwelling.”

Verse 54

अयं गृहो महादेवि न च बाधाऽत्र कस्यचित् ॥ ततस्तच्छोधयामास तत्क्षेत्रं भार्यया सह ॥

“Great lady, this is a dwelling, and there is no harm here to anyone.” Then he proceeded to examine that site together with his wife.

Verse 55

वियन्मध्ये तथोग्रश्च सविता तपते सदा ॥ समृद्धश्च तदा तत्र निदाघः काल आगतः ॥

In the midst of the sky the sun blazed fiercely without pause; then, there, the season of scorching summer arrived in full force.

Verse 56

प्रवृद्धो दारुणो घर्मः कालश्चैवातिदारुणः ॥ ततः सा तृषिता देवी क्षुधिता च तपस्विनी ॥

The cruel heat grew intense, and the time itself became exceedingly harsh. Then that lady—an ascetic—became thirsty and also hungry.

Verse 57

स्निग्धौ ताम्रतलौ पादौ तस्यां सन्तापमागतौ ॥ गुणप्रवाह रक्तौ तु तस्याः पादौ च सुव्रत ॥

Her feet—smooth, with coppery soles—came into burning pain. And her feet became reddened as if with a flowing redness, O you of good vow.

Verse 58

सूर्यस्य पादा मध्याह्ने तापयन्त्यग्निसन्निभाः ॥ ततः सा व्यथिता देवी भर्तारमिदमब्रवीत् ॥

At midday, the sun’s rays scorched like fire. Then the distressed lady spoke these words to her husband.

Verse 59

तृषितास्मि महाराज भृशमुष्णेन पीडिता ॥ पानीयं दीयतां राजन्मम शीघ्रं प्रसादतः ॥

“Great king, I am thirsty, severely tormented by the heat. O king, let drinking water be given to me quickly, out of kindness.”

Verse 60

इत्युक्त्वा पतिता देवी विह्वला दुःखपीडिता ॥ पतन्त्या च तया सूर्यो दृष्टो विह्वलया तथा ॥

Having spoken thus, the goddess fell down, distraught and afflicted by sorrow; and as she was falling, she beheld the Sun likewise in that same agitation.

Verse 61

यदृच्छया पतन्त्या तु सूर्यः कोपेन वीक्षितः ॥ ततो विवस्वान् भगवान् सन्त्रस्तो गगने तदा ॥

As she happened to be falling, she looked upon the Sun with anger; then Vivasvān, the august Sun, became alarmed in the sky at that time.

Verse 62

दिवं मुक्त्वा महातेजाः पतितो धरणीतले ॥ ततो दृष्ट्वा तु राजा.असौ स्वभावेन च वर्जितम् ॥

Leaving the heavens, the great-lustrous one fell upon the surface of the earth; then that king, seeing him deprived of his usual nature, (responded accordingly).

Verse 63

एवं ब्रुवन्तं राजानं सूर्यः सानुनयोऽब्रवीत् ॥ पतिव्रता शुभाक्षी च ममैषा रुषिता भृशम् ॥

As the king spoke in this manner, the Sun replied conciliatorily: “This woman of mine—faithful to her husband and fair-eyed—has become intensely angered.”

Verse 64

ततोऽहं पतितो राजंस्तव कार्यानुशासनः ॥ अनया सदृशी नारी त्रैलोक्ये नैव विद्यते ॥

“Therefore I have fallen, O king, in accordance with the direction of your affair; a woman equal to her does not exist in the three worlds.”

Verse 65

पृथिव्यां स्वर्गलोके वा न काचिदिह दृश्यते ॥ अहोऽस्याः परमं सत्त्वमहोऽस्याः परमं तपः ॥

On earth or in heaven, none like her is seen here. Ah—supreme is her inner strength; ah—supreme is her ascetic discipline.

Verse 66

अहो धैर्यं च शक्तिश्च तवैवं शंसिता गुणाः ॥ तथेयं ते महाभाग तव चित्तानुसारिणी ॥

Ah—steadfastness and power: such qualities of yours are praised in this way. And likewise this woman, O fortunate one, follows the inclination of your mind.

Verse 67

सदृशी ते महाभाग शक्रस्येव यथा शची ॥ पात्रं पात्रवता प्राप्तं सुकृतस्य महत्फलम् ॥

She is suited to you, O fortunate one, as Śacī is to Śakra. A worthy recipient has been obtained by one who is worthy—this is the great fruit of meritorious deeds.

Verse 68

अनुरूपः सुरूपो वा यतो जातः सुयन्त्रितः ॥ मा च ते वितथः कामो भवेच्चैव नराधिप ॥

From whom one is born—whether well-matched or handsome—well-governed in conduct; and may your desire not prove fruitless, O lord of men.

Verse 69

कुरुष्व दयितं क्षेत्रं यथा मनसि वर्त्तते ॥ भोजनार्थं महाराज त्वदन्यो न हि विद्यते ॥

Make the beloved field (of action) as it stands in your mind. For the purpose of sustenance, O great king, there is none other than you.

Verse 70

अनुरूपा विशुद्धा च तपसा च वराङ्गना॥ पतिव्रता च साध्वी च नित्यं तव हिते रता॥

She is fitting for you, pure, and through austerity a noble lady; devoted to her husband, virtuous, and ever intent on your welfare.

Verse 71

फलदं च यशस्यं च भविष्यति हि कामदम्॥ एवमुक्त्वा ततः सूर्यः ससर्ज जलभाजनम्॥

It will indeed be fruitful, fame-bestowing, and desire-fulfilling. Having spoken thus, Sūrya then produced a vessel for water.

Verse 72

उपभोक्तुं सुखस्यार्थं सुपुण्यस्य विशेषतः॥ दत्त्वा तत्पुण्यकर्माणं ततः प्राह दिवाकरः॥

In order to partake of happiness—especially as the result of excellent merit—having bestowed that meritorious act (or its instrument), then Divākara spoke.

Verse 73

एवमुक्त्वा तु भगवांस्तथा तत्कृतवान्क्वचित्॥ राज्ञा च जनकेनैव प्रियाया हितकाम्यया॥

Having spoken thus, the Blessed One did so accordingly, at a certain time and place; and this was carried out by King Janaka himself, wishing to secure his beloved’s welfare.

Verse 74

ततः साप्यायिता देवी तोयेन शुभलक्षणा॥ लब्धसंज्ञा गतभया राजानमिदमब्रवीत्॥

Then the lady, marked by auspicious signs, was refreshed by water; regaining consciousness and freed from fear, she spoke this to the king.

Verse 75

देवी दृष्ट्वा तदाश्चर्यं विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचना॥ केन दत्तं शुभं तोयं दिव्यं छत्रमुपानहौ॥

Seeing that marvel, the lady—her eyes widened with astonishment—asked: “By whom were this auspicious water, the divine parasol, and the footwear given?”

Verse 76

एतन्मे संशयं राजन्कथयस्व तपोधन॥ राजोवाच॥ एष देवो महादेवि विवस्वान्नाम नामतः॥

“Tell me this doubt, O king—O treasure of austerity.” The king said: “This deity, O great lady, is named Vivasvān (the Sun) by name.”

Verse 77

तवानुकम्पया देवि मुक्त्वाकाशमिहागतः॥ एवमुक्ता तु सा देवी भर्त्तारमिदमब्रवीत्॥

“Out of compassion for you, O lady, he has come here, leaving the sky.” Thus addressed, the lady then said this to her husband.

Verse 78

करवाण्यस्य कां प्रीतिं ज्ञायतामस्य वाच्छितम्॥ ततो राजा महातेजाः प्रणिपत्य कृताञ्जलिः॥

“What kind of pleasing act might I do for him? Let his wish be known.” Then the king, of great splendor, bowed down with joined palms.

Verse 79

विज्ञापयामास तदा भगवन् किं करोमि ते॥ एवमुक्तो नरेन्द्रेण सूर्यो वचनमब्रवीत्॥

Then he submitted his request: “O Blessed One, what shall I do for you?” Thus addressed by the lord of men, Sūrya spoke words in reply.

Verse 80

अभयं मे महाराज स्त्रीभ्यो भवतु मानद ॥ तत्श्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य भास्करस्य तु मानदः ॥

“O great king, let there be safety—fearlessness—for women because of me, O bestower of honor.” Having heard that statement of Bhāskara, the honored one (Mānada) …

Verse 81

प्रीत्या परमया युक्ता तस्य राज्ञो मनःप्रिया ॥ रश्मीनां तारणार्थाय छत्रं दत्त्वा तु कुण्डिकाम् ॥

United with the highest affection, she who was dear to the king’s heart gave an umbrella—intended to ward off the sun’s rays—and also a water-vessel.

Verse 82

इमौ चोपानहौ दत्त्वा चोभौ पादस्य शङ्करौ ॥ अभयं ते महाभाग यथा त्वं वृत्तवानसि ॥

And having given these two sandals—both fit for the feet—(she said): “Safety be to you, O fortunate one, in accordance with the way you have conducted yourself.”

Verse 83

एवं पतिव्रतां विप्र पूजयामि नमामि च ॥

Thus, O brāhmaṇa, I honor and bow to a devoted wife (pativratā).

Verse 84

न च मामुपतिष्ठन्ति न चैव वशगा मम ॥ मस्तकं मम गच्छन्ति सपत्नीकाः सहानुगाः ॥

They do not attend upon me, nor are they obedient to me; they go over my head—those women with co-wives, together with their followers.

Verse 85

ब्राह्मणाः सततं पूज्या ब्राह्मणाः सर्वदेवताः ॥ मात्सर्यं क्रोधसंयुक्तं न कर्तव्यं द्विजातिषु ॥

Brāhmaṇas are ever to be honored; brāhmaṇas are regarded as all the deities. Envy joined with anger should not be directed toward the twice-born.

Verse 86

सोऽपि राजा महाभागः सर्वभूतहिते रतः ॥ धर्मात्मा च महात्मा च सत्यसन्धो महातपाः ॥

That king too, O fortunate one, was devoted to the welfare of all beings—righteous in nature, great-souled, steadfast in truth, and of great austerity.

Verse 87

राजोवाच ॥ न शक्यमुपरोधेन वक्तुं भामिनि विप्रियम् ॥ न च पश्याम्यहं देवि तव चैव जनस्य च ॥

The king said: “O impassioned lady, it is not possible—under pressure—to speak what is displeasing. And, O Devī, I do not see a course that benefits both you and the people.”

Verse 88

एवमुक्ता महादेवी तेन राज्ञा सुषोभना ॥ हृषितपुष्टमना देवी राजानमिदमब्रवीत् ॥

Thus addressed by the king, the radiant Mahādevī—her mind delighted and strengthened—spoke this to the king.

Verse 89

पानीयस्य तु पार्श्वेन सन्निकृष्टेन सुन्दरी ॥ चतुर्थं जनपर्यन्तं न किञ्चिदिह दृश्यते ॥

“O fair lady, near the side of the water-source, close at hand, up to the fourth settlement-boundary, nothing at all is seen here.”

Verse 90

किमर्थमिह तेजस्विंस्त्यक्त्वा मण्डलमागतः ॥ किं करोमि महातेजाः सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः ॥

“For what purpose, O radiant one, have you come here after leaving your maṇḍala? And what should I do, O great-lustrous one, revered by all the worlds?”

Verse 91

उपानहौ च छत्रं च दिव्यालङ्कारभूषितम् ॥ ददौ च राज्ञे सविता प्रीत्या परमया युतः ॥

Savitṛ (the Sun) presented the king with sandals and a parasol, adorned with divine ornaments, endowed with the highest affection.

Verse 92

तां प्रियां प्रीतहृदयां श्रावयंस्तस्य भाषितम् ॥ राज्ञस्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा देवी वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

After causing that beloved lady, whose heart was full of affection, to hear his words, and after hearing the king’s statement, the queen (devī) spoke in reply.