12.144
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततो गते शाकुनिके कपोती प्राह दुःखिता। संस्मृत्य भर्तारमथो रुदती शोकमूर्छिता ॥१२-१४४-१॥
After the bird-catcher departed, the sorrowful female dove, recalling her husband, spoke while weeping and overcome with grief.
नाहं ते विप्रियं कान्त कदाचिदपि संस्मरे। सर्वा वै विधवा नारी बहुपुत्रापि खेचर ॥ शोच्या भवति बन्धूनां पतिहीना मनस्विनी ॥१२-१४४-२॥
O beloved, I have never recalled anything unpleasant about you. Every widow, even if she has many sons or moves in the sky, is to be pitied by her relatives; a high-minded woman bereft of her husband becomes pitiable.
लालिताहं त्वया नित्यं बहुमानाच्च सान्त्विता। वचनैर्मधुरैः स्निग्धैरसकृत्सुमनोहरैः ॥१२-१४४-३॥
I have always been cherished by you, treated with respect, and comforted with words that are sweet, affectionate, and repeatedly most delightful.
कन्दरेषु च शैलानां नदीनां निर्झरेषु च। द्रुमाग्रेषु च रम्येषु रमिताहं त्वया प्रिय ॥१२-१४४-४॥
My dear, I was enjoyed by you in the caves of the mountains, in the rivers and waterfalls, on the tops of trees, and in all delightful places.
आकाशगमने चैव सुखिताहं त्वया सुखम्। विहृतास्मि त्वया कान्त तन्मे नाद्यास्ति किञ्चन ॥१२-१४४-५॥
In going to the sky, I have been happy with you, and I have enjoyed happiness with you, beloved; today, I have nothing left.
मितं ददाति हि पिता मितं माता मितं सुतः। अमितस्य तु दातारं भर्तारं का न पूजयेत् ॥१२-१४४-६॥
A father gives in measure, a mother gives in measure, a son gives in measure. But who would not honor the giver and supporter of the unlimited?"
नास्ति भर्तृसमो नाथो न च भर्तृसमं सुखम्। विसृज्य धनसर्वस्वं भर्ता वै शरणं स्त्रियाः ॥१२-१४४-७॥
There is no protector for a woman like her husband, nor is there happiness equal to that given by the husband. Even if she gives up all her wealth, the husband alone is truly the refuge for a woman.
न कार्यमिह मे नाथ जीवितेन त्वया विना। पतिहीनापि का नारी सती जीवितुमुत्सहेत् ॥१२-१४४-८॥
O lord, there is no purpose for me to live here without you. Even a chaste woman, bereft of her husband, which woman would be able to live?
एवं विलप्य बहुधा करुणं सा सुदुःखिता। पतिव्रता सम्प्रदीप्तं प्रविवेश हुताशनम् ॥१२-१४४-९॥
Thus, after lamenting in many ways with deep sorrow, the devoted wife, overwhelmed with grief, entered the blazing fire.
ततश्चित्राम्बरधरं भर्तारं सान्वपश्यत। विमानस्थं सुकृतिभिः पूज्यमानं महात्मभिः ॥१२-१४४-१०॥
Then she saw her husband, adorned in variegated garments, seated in a celestial chariot, being worshipped by the virtuous and great-souled beings.
चित्रमाल्याम्बरधरं सर्वाभरणभूषितम्। विमानशतकोटीभिरावृतं पुण्यकीर्तिभिः ॥१२-१४४-११॥
He was adorned with all ornaments, wearing variegated garlands and cloth, and was surrounded by hundreds of crores of celestial cars and by meritorious fame.
ततः स्वर्गगतः पक्षी भार्यया सह सङ्गतः। कर्मणा पूजितस्तेन रेमे तत्र स भार्यया ॥१२-१४४-१२॥
Then the bird, having reached heaven, was united with his wife, honored by his deeds, and enjoyed happiness there together with her.
