03.277
सावित्र्युपाख्यानम्
The story of Sāvitrī.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
नात्मानमनुशोचामि नेमान्भ्रातॄन्महामुने। हरणं चापि राज्यस्य यथेमां द्रुपदात्मजाम् ॥०३-२७७-१॥
O great sage, I do not lament for myself, nor these brothers, nor even the loss of the kingdom, as much as I lament for this daughter of Drupada. (03-277-1)
द्यूते दुरात्मभिः क्लिष्टाः कृष्णया तारिता वयम्। जयद्रथेन च पुनर्वनादपहृता बलात् ॥०३-२७७-२॥
Oppressed in the gambling by evil-minded men, we were saved by Kṛṣṇā. And again, by Jayadratha, carried away by force from the forest. (03-277-2)
अस्ति सीमन्तिनी काचिद्दृष्टपूर्वाथ वा श्रुता। पतिव्रता महाभागा यथेयं द्रुपदात्मजा ॥०३-२७७-३॥
There is some married woman, whether seen or heard of before, who is a faithful wife and greatly fortunate, just like this daughter of Drupada. (03-277-3)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said;
शृणु राजन्कुलस्त्रीणां महाभाग्यं युधिष्ठिर। सर्वमेतद्यथा प्राप्तं सावित्र्या राजकन्यया ॥०३-२७७-४॥
Hear, O King Yudhiṣṭhira, about the great fortune of noble women, all this as attained by Sāvitrī, the royal princess. (03-277-4)
आसीन्मद्रेषु धर्मात्मा राजा परमधार्मिकः। ब्रह्मण्यश्च शरण्यश्च सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रियः ॥०३-२७७-५॥
In the land of the Madras, there was a king who was righteous, supremely virtuous, devoted to brahmins, a giver of refuge, truthful, and master of his senses. (03-277-5)
यज्वा दानपतिर्दक्षः पौरजानपदप्रियः। पार्थिवोऽश्वपतिर्नाम सर्वभूतहिते रतः ॥०३-२७७-६॥
A sacrificer, generous, skilful, dear to citizens and country folk—the king, called the lord of horses, is devoted to the welfare of all beings. (03-277-6)
क्षमावाननपत्यश्च सत्यवाग्विजितेन्द्रियः। अतिक्रान्तेन वयसा सन्तापमुपजग्मिवान् ॥०३-२७७-७॥
He, being forbearing, childless, truthful in speech, and self-controlled, was afflicted by sorrow due to advancing age. (03-277-7)
अपत्योत्पादनार्थं स तीव्रं नियममास्थितः। काले परिमिताहारो ब्रह्मचारी जितेन्द्रियः ॥०३-२७७-८॥
For the purpose of producing offspring, he practiced intense self-restraint, eating in moderation at the proper time, maintaining celibacy, and having control over his senses. (03-277-8)
हुत्वा शतसहस्रं स सावित्र्या राजसत्तम। षष्ठे षष्ठे तदा काले बभूव मितभोजनः ॥०३-२७७-९॥
O best among kings, after offering a hundred thousand (oblations) together with Sāvitrī, then at every sixth time, he became moderate in food. (03-277-9)
एतेन नियमेनासीद्वर्षाण्यष्टादशैव तु। पूर्णे त्वष्टादशे वर्षे सावित्री तुष्टिमभ्यगात् ॥ स्वरूपिणी तदा राजन्दर्शयामास तं नृपम् ॥०३-२७७-१०॥
Following this discipline, Sāvitrī lived for eighteen years. When the eighteenth year was completed, she attained satisfaction. Then, O king, Sāvitrī, appearing in her true form, revealed herself to the king. (03-277-10)
अग्निहोत्रात्समुत्थाय हर्षेण महतान्विता। उवाच चैनं वरदा वचनं पार्थिवं तदा ॥०३-२७७-११॥
Then, the giver of boons, filled with great joy, having risen from the Agnihotra, spoke these words to the king. (03-277-11)
ब्रह्मचर्येण शुद्धेन दमेन नियमेन च। सर्वात्मना च मद्भक्त्या तुष्टास्मि तव पार्थिव ॥०३-२७७-१२॥
O King, I am satisfied with you by your celibacy, purity, self-control, observances, wholeheartedness, and devotion to me. (03-277-12)
वरं वृणीष्वाश्वपते मद्रराज यथेप्सितम्। न प्रमादश्च धर्मेषु कर्तव्यस्ते कथञ्चन ॥०३-२७७-१३॥
Choose a boon, O lord of horses, O king of Madra, as you desire. Negligence in duties is never to be done by you in any manner. (03-277-13)
अश्वपतिरुवाच॥
Aśvapati said.
अपत्यार्थः समारम्भः कृतो धर्मेप्सया मया। पुत्रा मे बहवो देवि भवेयुः कुलभावनाः ॥०३-२७७-१४॥
I have undertaken this effort for the sake of having children, motivated by a desire for righteousness. May I have many sons, O goddess, who will cause the lineage to flourish. (03-277-14)
तुष्टासि यदि मे देवि काममेतं वृणोम्यहम्। सन्तानं हि परो धर्म इत्याहुर्मां द्विजातयः ॥०३-२७७-१५॥
O goddess, if you are pleased with me, then this is the desire I choose: offspring, for indeed the twice-born say to me that offspring is the highest dharma. (03-277-15)
सावित्र्युवाच॥
Sāvitrī said.
पूर्वमेव मया राजन्नभिप्रायमिमं तव। ज्ञात्वा पुत्रार्थमुक्तो वै तव हेतोः पितामहः ॥०३-२७७-१६॥
O king, already before, knowing this intention of yours for the sake of your son, your grandfather indeed spoke (thus) because of your reason. (03-277-16)
प्रसादाच्चैव तस्मात्ते स्वयम्भुविहिताद्भुवि। कन्या तेजस्विनी सौम्य क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति ॥०३-२७७-१७॥
O gentle one, therefore, by favor and by what is ordained on earth by Svayambhū, you will soon have a radiant daughter. (03-277-17)
उत्तरं च न ते किञ्चिद्व्याहर्तव्यं कथञ्चन। पितामहनिसर्गेण तुष्टा ह्येतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥०३-२७७-१८॥
And no answer whatsoever should be given to you in any way; by the ordinance of the grandfather, being content, I indeed speak this to you. (03-277-18)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय सावित्र्या वचनं नृपः। प्रसादयामास पुनः क्षिप्रमेवं भवेदिति ॥०३-२७७-१९॥
The king, having agreed to Sāvitrī's request with 'so be it', again pleased her, saying, 'May it quickly be so.' (03-277-19)
अन्तर्हितायां सावित्र्यां जगाम स्वगृहं नृपः। स्वराज्ये चावसत्प्रीतः प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन् ॥०३-२७७-२०॥
When Sāvitrī had disappeared, the king went to his own house. Then, pleased, he lived in his own kingdom, protecting his subjects by righteousness. (03-277-20)
कस्मिंश्चित्तु गते काले स राजा नियतव्रतः। ज्येष्ठायां धर्मचारिण्यां महिष्यां गर्भमादधे ॥०३-२७७-२१॥
But after some time had passed, that king of firm vows caused (his) eldest, righteous queen to conceive a child. (03-277-21)
राजपुत्र्यां तु गर्भः स मालव्यां भरतर्षभ। व्यवर्धत यथा शुक्ले तारापतिरिवाम्बरे ॥०३-२७७-२२॥
O bull among the Bharatas, the embryo in the princess Mālavī grew just like the Moon, the lord of the stars, waxing in the sky during the bright fortnight. (03-277-22)
प्राप्ते काले तु सुषुवे कन्यां राजीवलोचनाम्। क्रियाश्च तस्या मुदितश्चक्रे स नृपतिस्तदा ॥०३-२७७-२३॥
When the time arrived, she gave birth to a lotus-eyed daughter. Then the king, rejoicing, performed the ceremonies for her. (03-277-23)
सावित्र्या प्रीतया दत्ता सावित्र्या हुतया ह्यपि। सावित्रीत्येव नामास्याश्चक्रुर्विप्रास्तथा पिता ॥०३-२७७-२४॥
Given by Sāvitrī with affection and also offered by Sāvitrī, therefore the Brahmins and her father made her name only as "Sāvitrī." (03-277-24)
सा विग्रहवतीव श्रीर्व्यवर्धत नृपात्मजा। कालेन चापि सा कन्या यौवनस्था बभूव ह ॥०३-२७७-२५॥
That king's daughter, whose beauty seemed to take form itself, grew in splendor. And in the course of time, that girl indeed reached her youth. (03-277-25)
तां सुमध्यां पृथुश्रोणीं प्रतिमां काञ्चनीमिव। प्राप्तेयं देवकन्येति दृष्ट्वा संमेनिरे जनाः ॥०३-२७७-२६॥
Seeing her—of beautiful waist, wide hips, like a golden image—the people thought, "Surely this celestial maiden has arrived." (03-277-26)
तां तु पद्मपलाशाक्षीं ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा। न कश्चिद्वरयामास तेजसा प्रतिवारितः ॥०३-२७७-२७॥
But, her eyes like lotus petals, shining as if with radiance, no one chose her for marriage, being repelled by her brilliance. (03-277-27)
अथोपोष्य शिरःस्नाता दैवतान्यभिगम्य सा। हुत्वाग्निं विधिवद्विप्रान्वाचयामास पर्वणि ॥०३-२७७-२८॥
Then, after fasting, bathing her head, and approaching the deities, she offered oblations to the fire as prescribed and had the Brahmins recite (the rites) on the festival day. (03-277-28)
ततः सुमनसः शेषाः प्रतिगृह्य महात्मनः। पितुः सकाशमगमद्देवी श्रीरिव रूपिणी ॥०३-२७७-२९॥
Then the lady, having accepted the remaining flowers from the great-souled one, went to her father's presence, radiant like the goddess Śrī, endowed with beauty. (03-277-29)
साभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ शेषाः पूर्वं निवेद्य च। कृताञ्जलिर्वरारोहा नृपतेः पार्श्वतः स्थिता ॥०३-२७७-३०॥
After respectfully saluting her father's feet and announcing the remaining matters, the excellent lady, with hands joined, stood by the king's side. (03-277-30)
यौवनस्थां तु तां दृष्ट्वा स्वां सुतां देवरूपिणीम्। अयाच्यमानां च वरैर्नृपतिर्दुःखितोऽभवत् ॥०३-२७७-३१॥
But when the king saw his own daughter, who had reached youth and was divine in appearance, yet was not being sought after by suitors, he became distressed. (03-277-31)
राजोवाच॥
The king said.
पुत्रि प्रदानकालस्ते न च कश्चिद्वृणोति माम्। स्वयमन्विच्छ भर्तारं गुणैः सदृशमात्मनः ॥०३-२७७-३२॥
O daughter, the time for your marriage has come, and no one is asking me; therefore, seek a husband yourself who is suitable for you in qualities. (03-277-32)
प्रार्थितः पुरुषो यश्च स निवेद्यस्त्वया मम। विमृश्याहं प्रदास्यामि वरय त्वं यथेप्सितम् ॥०३-२७७-३३॥
Whoever the man you have requested, he must be reported to me by you. After I consider, I shall grant it; so choose as you desire. (03-277-33)
श्रुतं हि धर्मशास्त्रे मे पठ्यमानं द्विजातिभिः। तथा त्वमपि कल्याणि गदतो मे वचः शृणु ॥०३-२७७-३४॥
I have indeed heard in the treatise of dharma as recited by the twice-born; therefore you also, O auspicious one, listen to my words as I speak. (03-277-34)
अप्रदाता पिता वाच्यो वाच्यश्चानुपयन्पतिः। मृते भर्तरि पुत्रश्च वाच्यो मातुररक्षिता ॥०३-२७७-३५॥
A father who does not give (his daughter in marriage) is to be blamed, and so is the husband who does not consummate the marriage. If the husband has died, the son is to be blamed if his mother is left unprotected. (03-277-35)
इदं मे वचनं श्रुत्वा भर्तुरन्वेषणे त्वर। देवतानां यथा वाच्यो न भवेयं तथा कुरु ॥०३-२७७-३६॥
Hear my words and hasten in search of my husband; act so that I may not become one spoken ill of among the deities. (03-277-36)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markaṇḍeya said.
एवमुक्त्वा दुहितरं तथा वृद्धांश्च मन्त्रिणः। व्यादिदेशानुयात्रं च गम्यतामित्यचोदयत् ॥०३-२७७-३७॥
After thus addressing his daughter, as well as the elders and ministers, he instructed them to go on the journey, directing them to depart. (03-277-37)
साभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ व्रीडितेव मनस्विनी। पितुर्वचनमाज्ञाय निर्जगामाविचारितम् ॥०३-२७७-३८॥
She, after saluting her father's feet, though seemingly abashed, understanding her father's words, immediately went out without hesitation. (03-277-38)
सा हैमं रथमास्थाय स्थविरैः सचिवैर्वृता। तपोवनानि रम्याणि राजर्षीणां जगामह ॥०३-२७७-३९॥
She mounted the golden chariot, surrounded by aged ministers, and went to the pleasant hermitages of the royal sages. (03-277-39)
मान्यानां तत्र वृद्धानां कृत्वा पादाभिवन्दनम्। वनानि क्रमशस्तात सर्वाण्येवाभ्यगच्छत ॥०३-२७७-४०॥
Having offered obeisance at the feet of the respected elders there, O dear one, he then proceeded to visit all the forests in order. (03-277-40)
एवं सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु धनोत्सर्गं नृपात्मजा। कुर्वती द्विजमुख्यानां तं तं देशं जगाम ह ॥०३-२७७-४१॥
Thus, the princess went from place to place, making gifts of wealth to the foremost of the twice-born at every sacred site. (03-277-41)
