12.144
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
tato gate śākunike kapotī prāha duḥkhitā। saṃsmṛtya bhartāramatho rudatī śokamūrcchitā ॥12-144-1॥
After the bird-catcher departed, the sorrowful female dove, recalling her husband, spoke while weeping and overcome with grief.
nāhaṃ te vipriyaṃ kānta kadācidapi saṃsmare। sarvā vai vidhavā nārī bahuputrāpi khecara ॥ śocyā bhavati bandhūnāṃ patihīnā manasvinī ॥12-144-2॥
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.
lālitāhaṃ tvayā nityaṃ bahumānācca sāntvitā। vacanair madhuraiḥ snigdhair asakṛt sumanoharaiḥ ॥12-144-3॥
I have always been cherished by you, treated with respect, and comforted with words that are sweet, affectionate, and repeatedly most delightful.
kandareṣu ca śailānāṃ nadīnāṃ nirjhareṣu ca। drumāgreṣu ca ramyeṣu ramitāhaṃ tvayā priya ॥12-144-4॥
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.
ākāśagamane caiva sukhitāhaṃ tvayā sukham। vihṛtāsmi tvayā kānta tanme nādyāsti kiñcana ॥12-144-5॥
In going to the sky, I have been happy with you, and I have enjoyed happiness with you, beloved; today, I have nothing left.
mitaṃ dadāti hi pitā mitaṃ mātā mitaṃ sutaḥ। amitasya tu dātāraṃ bhartāraṃ kā na pūjayet ॥12-144-6॥
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?"
nāsti bhartṛ-samo nātho na ca bhartṛ-samaṃ sukham। visṛjya dhana-sarvasvaṃ bhartā vai śaraṇaṃ striyāḥ ॥12-144-7॥
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.
na kāryam iha me nātha jīvitena tvayā vinā। patihīnā api kā nārī satī jīvitum utsahet॥12-144-8॥
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?
evaṃ vilapya bahudhā karuṇaṃ sā suduḥkhitā। pativratā sampradīptaṃ praviveśa hutāśanam ॥12-144-9॥
Thus, after lamenting in many ways with deep sorrow, the devoted wife, overwhelmed with grief, entered the blazing fire.
tataś citrāmbaradharaṃ bhartāraṃ sānvapaśyata। vimānasthaṃ sukṛtibhiḥ pūjyamānaṃ mahātmabhiḥ ॥12-144-10॥
Then she saw her husband, adorned in variegated garments, seated in a celestial chariot, being worshipped by the virtuous and great-souled beings.
citramālyāmbaradharaṃ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitam। vimānaśatakotībhiḥāvṛtaṃ puṇyakīrtibhiḥ ॥12-144-11॥
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.
tataḥ svargagataḥ pakṣī bhāryayā saha saṅgataḥ। karmaṇā pūjitastena reme tatra sa bhāryayā ॥12-144-12॥
Then the bird, having reached heaven, was united with his wife, honored by his deeds, and enjoyed happiness there together with her.
