Shloka 20
Pṛthu Mahārāja’s Renunciation, Austerities, Departure, and the Glory of Hearing His History
अतीव भर्तुर्व्रतधर्मनिष्ठया शुश्रूषया चार्षदेहयात्रया । नाविन्दतार्तिं परिकर्शितापि सा प्रेयस्करस्पर्शनमाननिर्वृति: ॥ २० ॥
atīva bhartur vrata-dharma-niṣṭhayā śuśrūṣayā cārṣa-deha-yātrayā nāvindatārtiṁ parikarśitāpi sā preyaskara-sparśana-māna-nirvṛtiḥ
Embora não estivesse acostumada a tais dificuldades, a rainha Arci seguiu o marido nos votos da vida na floresta como os grandes sábios. Dormia no chão e comia apenas frutos, flores e folhas, ficando fraca e magra; ainda assim, pelo prazer de servir ao esposo amado, não sentiu sofrimento.
The words bhartur vrata-dharma-niṣṭhayā indicate that a woman’s duty, or religious principle, is to serve her husband in all conditions. In Vedic civilization a man is taught from the beginning of his life to become a brahmacārī, then an ideal gṛhastha, then vānaprastha, then sannyāsī, and the wife is taught just to follow the husband strictly in all conditions of life. After the period of brahmacarya, a man accepts a householder’s life, and the woman is also taught by her parents to be a chaste wife. Thus when a girl and boy are united, both are trained for a life dedicated to a higher purpose. The boy is trained to execute his duty in accordance with the higher purpose of life, and the girl is trained to follow him. The chaste wife’s duty is to keep her husband pleased in householder life in all respects, and when the husband retires from family life, she is to go to the forest and adopt the life of vānaprastha, or vana-vāsī. At that time the wife is to follow her husband and take care of him, just as she took care of him in householder life. But when the husband takes the renounced order of life, namely sannyāsa, the wife is to return home and become a saintly woman, setting an example for her children and daughters-in-law and showing them how to live a life of austerity.
FAQs
This verse praises Arci’s unwavering dedication to her husband’s vows and dharma, showing that sincere service and loyalty—done as sacred duty—can transcend physical hardship.
Because her inner fulfillment came from loving service and the affectionate recognition of Pṛthu Mahārāja; devotion transformed austerity into satisfaction.
Perform responsibilities with steadiness and love, keeping spiritual purpose at the center; when service is rooted in devotion and integrity, difficulties become more bearable and meaningful.