01.146
Core-Pancharatra:Lamentation of Brahmani and duties of wife.
The Brahmin woman said:
You should not grieve like an ordinary man. This is not a time for grief for one such as you, a physician.
Death must be faced by all humans here. For what is inevitable, grief indeed has no place.
Wife, son, and daughter — all are desired for self-interest. Abandon your sorrow with wise understanding; I shall go there myself indeed.
This indeed is the highest and eternal duty of a woman in the world — to even abandon her life if it is for the welfare of her husband.
That deed done there brings you happiness here, becomes imperishable in the hereafter, and brings fame in this world.
This indeed is a great duty which I shall tell you — your benefit and righteousness are both greater and evident herein.
The purpose for which a wife is desired has been fulfilled by you in me; both a daughter and a son have been given — I am made free from debt by you.
You are capable in nourishing and protecting the children, but I am not capable like that in their protection and nourishment.
Indeed, for me deprived of you, even possessing all pleasures, there is only distress. How will the two sons, still children, be? How shall I be?
How indeed, as a widow without support and with young sons, shall I sustain the household, abiding in the noble path, without you?
When this daughter is being solicited by arrogant and proud men, how shall I be able to protect her from unworthy suitors in relation to you?
Just as birds seek abandoned flesh on the ground, so too do all men seek a woman who is bereft of her protector.
I, being shaken and solicited by wicked men, will not be able to remain in the path dear to the virtuous, O best of Brahmins.
How can I entrust this only untrained young girl of your lineage to the ancestral path?
How shall I be able to instill the desired virtues in this orphaned girl, bereft of all support, as you did being a seer of dharma?
These unworthy men will disregard me and seek your orphaned young daughter, just as Śūdras seek the Vedic knowledge.
If I do not give this girl, adorned with your virtues, those men would seize and carry her away like vultures snatching the oblation from a sacrifice.
Seeing your son as if unworthy of you, and this daughter too fallen under the sway of the unworthy…
Disrespected by society and unaware of myself, oppressed by arrogant men — O Brahmin, I shall die without doubt.
My two sons, bereft of you and me, would surely perish like fish in a waterless place — there is no doubt of it.
This trio will surely perish in every way if abandoned by you — therefore, you ought not to abandon me.
This separation is the supreme path for women — the former and highest course is towards the husband, not to be altered for the sons of Brahmins.
This son and this daughter have been forsaken by me; all kinsmen too have been abandoned — my life itself is for your sake.
Abiding always in what is dear and beneficial to her husband excels sacrifices, austerities, observances, and various kinds of gifts for a woman.
That which I intend to do is righteous, supremely approved, and desirable and beneficial for you and your lineage as well.
Children, wealth, friends, and dear ones are cherished; but the wife is considered by the virtuous as the one for release in times of distress.
On one side the whole lineage, and on the other the self — they are not considered equal; this is the conclusion of the wise, O augmenter of the lineage.
Allow me to do this task, rescue yourself by yourself; permit me, O noble one, and protect my two sons.
Knowers of dharma say that women are not to be slain; those who slay the righteous are called demons — he should not slay me either.
The slaying of men is undoubtedly allowed; the slaying of women is doubtful — therefore, O knower of dharma, you ought to send me forth instead.
I have enjoyed the dear things, obtained them, and followed righteousness; your beloved offspring has been gained — life beyond will not afflict me.
Having borne a son, grown old, and always desiring your welfare — considering all this, I now make my decision.
Even if you give me up, O noble one, you will obtain another wife — then your righteousness will again be firmly established.
For men, having many wives is not unrighteous but auspicious; for women, the transgression of a former husband is great unrighteousness.
Considering all this and that self-destruction is condemned, save yourself by me — and the lineage, and these two sons.
Vaiśampāyana said:
Thus addressed by her, the husband embraced her, O Bhārata, and with his wife, deeply afflicted, he slowly shed tears.
