Previous Verse
Next Verse

Shloka 40

Sāvitrī–Satyavān Vivāha: Kanyāpradāna and Āśrama-Śīla (सावित्री-सत्यवान्विवाहः)

कथं हि पीत्वा माध्वीक॑ पीत्वा च मधुमाधवीम्‌ | लोभ॑ सौवीरके कुर्यानज्नारी काचिदिति स्मरेत्‌,“जो फूलोंके रससे बने हुए मधुर पेय तथा मधुमक्षिकाओंद्वारा तैयार किया हुआ मधु पी चुकी हो, ऐसी कोई भी नारी काँजीके रसका लोभ कैसे कर सकती है?”

kathaṁ hi pītvā mādhvīkaṁ pītvā ca madhumādhavīm | lobhaṁ sauvīrake kuryād ajñārī kācid iti smaret ||

สตรีใดได้ดื่มสุราหวานที่กลั่นจากน้ำหวานดอกไม้ และได้ดื่มน้ำผึ้งที่ผึ้งทำแล้ว จะยังโลภใคร่ในน้ำคาญชิกะอันเปรี้ยวได้อย่างไร—พึงระลึกข้อนี้ไว้

कथम्how?
कथम्:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootकथम्
हिindeed/for
हि:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootहि
पीत्वाhaving drunk
पीत्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootपा (पिबति)
FormAbsolutive (क्त्वाान्त), indeclinable
माध्वीकम्mead / a sweet drink (from flowers)
माध्वीकम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमाध्वीक (माध्वीकम्)
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
पीत्वाhaving drunk
पीत्वा:
TypeVerb
Rootपा (पिबति)
FormAbsolutive (क्त्वाान्त), indeclinable
and
:
TypeIndeclinable
Root
मधुhoney
मधु:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमधु
FormNeuter, Accusative, Singular
माधवीम्a honey(-drink)/madhavi (sweet liquor); also name of a creeper
माधवीम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootमाधवी
FormFeminine, Accusative, Singular
लोभम्desire/greed
लोभम्:
Karma
TypeNoun
Rootलोभ
FormMasculine, Accusative, Singular
सौवीरकेin souvīraka (a sour gruel/fermented drink, kāñjī)
सौवीरके:
Adhikarana
TypeNoun
Rootसौवीरक
FormNeuter, Locative, Singular
कुर्यात्would make / would do
कुर्यात्:
TypeVerb
Rootकृ (करोति)
FormOptative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular
अज्ञानीan ignorant (woman)
अज्ञानी:
Karta
TypeAdjective
Rootअज्ञानी (अ-ज्ञानी)
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
काचित्some (any) woman
काचित्:
Karta
TypePronoun
Rootक (किम्) + चित्
FormFeminine, Nominative, Singular
इतिthus (quotative)
इति:
TypeIndeclinable
Rootइति
स्मरेत्would remember / should think
स्मरेत्:
TypeVerb
Rootस्मृ (स्मरति)
FormOptative (विधिलिङ्), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Singular

मार्कण्डेय उवाच

M
Mārkaṇḍeya
M
mādhvīka (flower-liquor)
M
madhu (honey)
M
madhumādhavī (honey-drink)
S
sauvīraka/kāñjika (sour gruel/fermented drink)

Educational Q&A

The verse uses a taste-based metaphor: one who has experienced something refined and wholesome should not relapse into craving what is inferior. Ethically, it points to cultivating discernment and self-restraint—choosing higher goods over lower appetites.

Mārkaṇḍeya delivers a pointed comparison in the course of his instruction: after tasting sweet flower-liquor and honey, it would be absurd to long for sour gruel. The statement functions as a moral illustration meant to redirect desire and judgment.