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 |
Mārkaṇḍeya dit : Ayant trouvé son époux en un lieu retiré, elle—souriant d’un sourire pur et doux—prononça des paroles suaves, comme si elle riait tout en laissant paraître une tendre intimité. La scène montre combien la parole persuasive et le charme extérieur peuvent infléchir la résolution d’un roi, et fait naître une tension morale entre l’influence de l’épouse et les exigences de la royauté juste selon le dharma.
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.