13.134
महेश्वर उवाच॥
The Great Lord said.
परावरज्ञे धर्मज्ञे तपोवननिवासिनि। साध्वि सुभ्रु सुकेशान्ते हिमवत्पर्वतात्मजे ॥१३-१३४-१॥
O virtuous lady, knower of the remote and the near, knower of dharma, who dwells in the forest of penance, beautiful-browed and with lovely tresses, daughter of the Himavat mountain. (13-134-1)
दक्षे शमदमोपेते निर्ममे धर्मचारिणि। पृच्छामि त्वां वरारोहे पृष्टा वद ममेप्सितम् ॥१३-१३४-२॥
O righteous lady, competent, endowed with tranquility and self-control, and free from possessiveness, I ask you, O best-hipped one. Having been questioned, speak that which I desire. (13-134-2)
सावित्री ब्रह्मणः साध्वी कौशिकस्य शची सती। मार्तण्डजस्य धूमोर्णा ऋद्धिर्वैश्रवणस्य च ॥१३-१३४-३॥
Sāvitrī is the chaste wife of Brahmā, Śacī is the faithful wife of Kaushika, Dhūmorṇā is the wife of Mārtaṇḍaja, and Ṛddhi is the wife of Vaiśravaṇa. (13-134-3)
वरुणस्य ततो गौरी सूर्यस्य च सुवर्चला। रोहिणी शशिनः साध्वी स्वाहा चैव विभावसोः ॥१३-१३४-४॥
Then, Gaurī is the wife of Varuṇa, Suvarcalā of Sūrya, Rohiṇī of the Moon, Sādhvī, and Svāhā of the Fire. (13-134-4)
अदितिः कश्यपस्याथ सर्वास्ताः पतिदेवताः। पृष्टाश्चोपासिताश्चैव तास्त्वया देवि नित्यशः ॥१३-१३४-५॥
Aditi was (the wife) of Kaśyapa, and all those devoted to their husbands were constantly asked about and worshipped by you, O goddess. (13-134-5)
तेन त्वां परिपृच्छामि धर्मज्ञे धर्मवादिनि। स्त्रीधर्मं श्रोतुमिच्छामि त्वयोदाहृतमादितः ॥१३-१३४-६॥
Therefore, I ask you, O knower and expounder of dharma; I wish to hear about the woman's dharma as taught by you from the beginning. (13-134-6)
सहधर्मचरी मे त्वं समशीला समव्रता। समानसारवीर्या च तपस्तीव्रं कृतं च ते ॥ त्वया ह्युक्तो विशेषेण प्रमाणत्वमुपैष्यति ॥१३-१३४-७॥
You are my companion in dharma, equal in character, vows, and strength of essence, and you have performed intense austerity; indeed, that which is spoken by you will especially attain authority. (13-134-7)
स्त्रियश्चैव विशेषेण स्त्रीजनस्य गतिः सदा। गौर्गां गच्छति सुश्रोणि लोकेष्वेषा स्थितिः सदा ॥१३-१३४-८॥
Women, especially, always have this nature, O lovely-hipped one. Just as the cow goes to the meadow, so always is this state among the worlds. (13-134-8)
मम चार्धं शरीरस्य मम चार्धाद्विनिःसृता। सुरकार्यकरी च त्वं लोकसन्तानकारिणी ॥१३-१३४-९॥
You, who emerged from my body's half, are the doer of the gods' work and the cause of the continuation of the world. (13-134-9)
तव सर्वः सुविदितः स्त्रीधर्मः शाश्वतः शुभे। तस्मादशेषतो ब्रूहि स्त्रीधर्मं विस्तरेण मे ॥१३-१३४-१०॥
O auspicious one, you fully know all about the eternal duty of women; therefore, please tell me in detail the complete law of women. (13-134-10)
उमोवाच॥
Umā said.
भगवन्सर्वभूतेश भूतभव्यभवोद्भव। त्वत्प्रभावादियं देव वाक्चैव प्रतिभाति मे ॥१३-१३४-११॥
O Lord, master of all beings and source of the past, present, and future; by your power, O God, this speech truly comes to me. (13-134-11)
इमास्तु नद्यो देवेश सर्वतीर्थोदकैर्युताः। उपस्पर्शनहेतोस्त्वा समीपस्था उपासते ॥१३-१३४-१२॥
But these rivers, O lord of the gods, endowed with the waters of all pilgrimages, stay nearby and serve you for the purpose of touching (you). (13-134-12)
एताभिः सह संमन्त्र्य प्रवक्ष्याम्यनुपूर्वशः। प्रभवन्योऽनहंवादी स वै पुरुष उच्यते ॥१३-१३४-१३॥
Having deliberated together with these, I will set forth in order. He who has initiative and is not self-assertive is truly called a man. (13-134-13)
स्त्री च भूतेश सततं स्त्रियमेवानुधावति। मया संमानिताश्चैव भविष्यन्ति सरिद्वराः ॥१३-१३४-१४॥
Woman, and even the lord of beings always pursues only a woman. The rivers that are honored by me will also become the best among rivers. (13-134-14)
एषा सरस्वती पुण्या नदीनामुत्तमा नदी। प्रथमा सर्वसरितां नदी सागरगामिनी ॥१३-१३४-१५॥
This Sarasvatī is the holy and foremost of rivers; she is the first among all streams, the river that moves toward the ocean. (13-134-15)
विपाशा च वितस्ता च चन्द्रभागा इरावती। शतद्रुर्देविका सिन्धुः कौशिकी गोमती तथा ॥१३-१३४-१६॥
Vipāśā, Vitastā, Candrabhāgā, Irāvatī, Śatadru, Devikā, Sindhu, Kauśikī, and Gomatī are also included. (13-134-16)
तथा देवनदी चेयं सर्वतीर्थाभिसंवृता। गगनाद्गां गता देवी गङ्गा सर्वसरिद्वरा ॥१३-१३४-१७॥
Thus the divine river, this Gaṅgā goddess, surrounded by all holy places, descended from the sky to the earth, the best among all rivers. (13-134-17)
इत्युक्त्वा देवदेवस्य पत्नी धर्मभृतां वरा। स्मितपूर्वमिवाभाष्य सर्वास्ताः सरितस्तदा ॥१३-१३४-१८॥
After thus speaking, the wife of the lord of lords, foremost among the upholders of dharma, addressed all those rivers as if with a smile. (13-134-18)
अपृच्छद्देवमहिषी स्त्रीधर्मं धर्मवत्सला। स्त्रीधर्मकुशलास्ता वै गङ्गाद्याः सरितां वराः ॥१३-१३४-१९॥
The queen of the god, devoted to dharma, asked about women's duties. Gaṅgā and the other best of rivers, skilled in women's duties, (were present). (13-134-19)
अयं भगवता दत्तः प्रश्नः स्त्रीधर्मसंश्रितः। तं तु संमन्त्र्य युष्माभिर्वक्तुमिच्छामि शङ्करे ॥१३-१३४-२०॥
This question given by the revered one, which concerns women's dharma—as for that, I wish to speak (on it) after consulting with all of you, O Śaṅkara. (13-134-20)
न चैकसाध्यं पश्यामि विज्ञानं भुवि कस्यचित्। दिवि वा सागरगमास्तेन वो मानयाम्यहम् ॥१३-१३४-२१॥
I do not perceive on earth the knowledge of anyone accomplished by a single person. Or in heaven, those who reach the ocean—on that account, I honor you. (13-134-21)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
एवं सर्वाः सरिच्छ्रेष्ठाः पृष्टाः पुण्यतमाः शिवाः। ततो देवनदी गङ्गा नियुक्ता प्रतिपूज्य ताम् ॥१३-१३४-२२॥
Thus, after all the most auspicious and meritorious best of rivers were questioned, then the divine river Gaṅgā, after being specially worshipped, was appointed. (13-134-22)
बह्वीभिर्बुद्धिभिः स्फीता स्त्रीधर्मज्ञा शुचिस्मिता। शैलराजसुतां देवीं पुण्या पापापहां शिवाम् ॥१३-१३४-२३॥
She, prosperous with many intellects, who knows the duties of women, with a pure smile, the goddess, daughter of the king of the mountains, virtuous and remover of sins, auspicious. (13-134-23)
बुद्ध्या विनयसम्पन्ना सर्वज्ञानविशारदा। सस्मितं बहुबुद्ध्याढ्या गङ्गा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१३-१३४-२४॥
Gaṅgā, possessed of intelligence, humility, and skill in all knowledge, smiling and endowed with great wisdom, spoke these words. (13-134-24)
धन्याः स्मोऽनुगृहीताः स्मो देवि धर्मपरायणा। या त्वं सर्वजगन्मान्या नदीर्मानयसेऽनघे ॥१३-१३४-२५॥
We are blessed and favored, O goddess devoted to dharma; you, who are honored by all the worlds, honor the rivers, O sinless one. (13-134-25)
प्रभवन्पृच्छते यो हि संमानयति वा पुनः। नूनं जनमदुष्टात्मा पण्डिताख्यां स गच्छति ॥१३-१३४-२६॥
He who, though prominent, asks or again honours others, surely, a person with an innocent mind, attains the designation 'wise.' (13-134-26)
ज्ञानविज्ञानसम्पन्नानूहापोहविशारदान्। प्रवक्तॄन्पृच्छते योऽन्यान्स वै ना पदमर्च्छति ॥१३-१३४-२७॥
He who asks others, instead of teachers endowed with knowledge, realization, and expertise in inference and elimination, indeed does not attain the goal. (13-134-27)
अन्यथा बहुबुद्ध्याढ्यो वाक्यं वदति संसदि। अन्यथैव ह्यहंमानी दुर्बलं वदते वचः ॥१३-१३४-२८॥
Otherwise, one endowed with much intelligence speaks appropriately in an assembly; but the self-conceited one, on the other hand, indeed utters weak words (in a different manner). (13-134-28)
दिव्यज्ञाने दिवि श्रेष्ठे दिव्यपुण्ये सदोत्थिते। त्वमेवार्हसि नो देवि स्त्रीधर्ममनुशासितुम् ॥१३-१३४-२९॥
O goddess, you alone, ever possessed of the highest divine knowledge, merits, and virtues, are worthy to instruct us in the duty of women. (13-134-29)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ततः साराधिता देवी गङ्गया बहुभिर्गुणैः। प्राह सर्वमशेषेण स्त्रीधर्मं सुरसुन्दरी ॥१३-१३४-३०॥
Then, the goddess, well-pleased with Gaṅgā's many virtues, the celestial beauty spoke in full about the duties of women. (13-134-30)
स्त्रीधर्मो मां प्रति यथा प्रतिभाति यथाविधि। तमहं कीर्तयिष्यामि तथैव प्रथितो भवेत् ॥१३-१३४-३१॥
I shall proclaim the duty of a woman as it appears to me, according to rule, so that it may become well-known. (13-134-31)
स्त्रीधर्मः पूर्व एवायं विवाहे बन्धुभिः कृतः। सहधर्मचरी भर्तुर्भवत्यग्निसमीपतः ॥१३-१३४-३२॥
The duty of a woman is already established at the time of marriage by her relatives. Near the sacred fire she becomes the co-partner in dharma with her husband. (13-134-32)
सुस्वभावा सुवचना सुवृत्ता सुखदर्शना। अनन्यचित्ता सुमुखी भर्तुः सा धर्मचारिणी ॥१३-१३४-३३॥
She, of good nature, gentle speech, good conduct, pleasant appearance, single-mindedness, beautiful face, and devoted to her husband, is one who follows dharma. (13-134-33)
सा भवेद्धर्मपरमा सा भवेद्धर्मभागिनी। देववत्सततं साध्वी या भर्तारं प्रपश्यति ॥१३-१३४-३४॥
She is truly devoted to dharma and shares in dharma who, as a virtuous wife, always regards her husband as a god. (13-134-34)
शुश्रूषां परिचारं च देववद्या करोति च। नान्यभावा ह्यविमनाः सुव्रता सुखदर्शना ॥१३-१३४-३५॥
She renders service and attendance, treats (her husband) as one fit to be honored like a goddess, is not attached to another, indeed is free from resentment, is of good vows, and pleasant in appearance. (13-134-35)
पुत्रवक्त्रमिवाभीक्ष्णं भर्तुर्वदनमीक्षते। या साध्वी नियताचारा सा भवेद्धर्मचारिणी ॥१३-१३४-३६॥
She who looks frequently at her husband's face as lovingly as at her son's face, that virtuous and disciplined woman is a true follower of dharma. (13-134-36)
श्रुत्वा दम्पतिधर्मं वै सहधर्मकृतं शुभम्। अनन्यचित्ता सुमुखी भर्तुः सा धर्मचारिणी ॥१३-१३४-३७॥
Having heard the auspicious duty of husband and wife performed together, she, of pleasant countenance and undivided mind, devoted to her husband, practiced righteousness. (13-134-37)
परुषाण्यपि चोक्ता या दृष्टा वा क्रूरचक्षुषा। सुप्रसन्नमुखी भर्तुर्या नारी सा पतिव्रता ॥१३-१३४-३८॥
A woman who remains cheerful towards her husband, even when spoken to with harsh words or treated cruelly, she is truly devoted to her husband. (13-134-38)
न चन्द्रसूर्यौ न तरुं पुंनाम्नो या निरीक्षते। भर्तृवर्जं वरारोहा सा भवेद्धर्मचारिणी ॥१३-१३४-३९॥
An excellent woman who looks at nothing but her husband—not even the moon and sun, nor a tree with a male name—she is one who practices righteousness. (13-134-39)
दरिद्रं व्याधितं दीनमध्वना परिकर्शितम्। पतिं पुत्रमिवोपास्ते सा नारी धर्मभागिनी ॥१३-१३४-४०॥
A woman who serves her husband, even when he is poor, afflicted with disease, distressed and tormented by hardship, as she would a son—she is truly a partaker in dharma. (13-134-40)
या नारी प्रयता दक्षा या नारी पुत्रिणी भवेत्। पतिप्रिया पतिप्राणा सा नारी धर्मभागिनी ॥१३-१३४-४१॥
A woman, who is pure and skilled, who has sons, who is beloved of her husband and whose very life is her husband—she is the woman who partakes in dharma. (13-134-41)
शुश्रूषां परिचर्यां च करोत्यविमनाः सदा। सुप्रतीता विनीता च सा नारी धर्मभागिनी ॥१३-१३४-४२॥
The woman who always serves and attends without dejection, who is well-understood and humble, she is a sharer in virtue. (13-134-42)
न कामेषु न भोगेषु नैश्वर्ये न सुखे तथा। स्पृहा यस्या यथा पत्यौ सा नारी धर्मभागिनी ॥१३-१३४-४३॥
She is a woman who partakes in righteousness, whose desire is for her husband as it is not for desires, enjoyments, sovereignty, or happiness. (13-134-43)
कल्योत्थानरता नित्यं गुरुशुश्रूषणे रता। सुसंमृष्टक्षया चैव गोशकृत्कृतलेपना ॥१३-१३४-४४॥
She is habitually an early riser, always devoted to serving her teacher, keeps her house well cleaned and smeared with cow-dung. (13-134-44)
अग्निकार्यपरा नित्यं सदा पुष्पबलिप्रदा। देवतातिथिभृत्यानां निरुप्य पतिना सह ॥१३-१३४-४५॥
She is always devoted to fire-rites, ever offering flowers and oblations, assigning them to deities, guests, and servants together with her husband. (13-134-45)
शेषान्नमुपभुञ्जाना यथान्यायं यथाविधि। तुष्टपुष्टजना नित्यं नारी धर्मेण युज्यते ॥१३-१३४-४६॥
A woman, eating the remaining food in accordance with justice and rule, and always being content and nourished, is joined with dharma. (13-134-46)
श्वश्रूश्वशुरयोः पादौ तोषयन्ती गुणान्विता। मातापितृपरा नित्यं या नारी सा तपोधना ॥१३-१३४-४७॥
A woman who serves the feet of her mother-in-law and father-in-law, is endowed with virtues, is always devoted to her mother and father—she is rich in austerity. (13-134-47)
ब्राह्मणान्दुर्बलानाथान्दीनान्धकृपणांस्तथा। बिभर्त्यन्नेन या नारी सा पतिव्रतभागिनी ॥१३-१३४-४८॥
The woman who supports with food Brāhmaṇas, the weak, the distressed, the miserable, and the pitiable—she is possessed of the merit of being devoted to her husband. (13-134-48)
व्रतं चरति या नित्यं दुश्चरं लघुसत्त्वया। पतिचित्ता पतिहिता सा पतिव्रतभागिनी ॥१३-१३४-४९॥
She who always practices the vow, which is difficult to follow for those of weak nature, whose mind is set on her husband and is devoted to him, she is called a true pativratā (a woman devoted to her husband). (13-134-49)
पुण्यमेतत्तपश्चैव स्वर्गश्चैष सनातनः। या नारी भर्तृपरमा भवेद्भर्तृव्रता शिवा ॥१३-१३४-५०॥
This is merit, this indeed is austerity, this is eternal heaven—the woman who is supremely devoted to her husband, who observes the vow to her husband, she is auspicious. (13-134-50)
पतिर्हि देवो नारीणां पतिर्बन्धुः पतिर्गतिः। पत्या समा गतिर्नास्ति दैवतं वा यथा पतिः ॥१३-१३४-५१॥
The husband is indeed the god for women; the husband is their kin, their refuge. There is no protection equal to the husband—no deity like the husband. (13-134-51)
पतिप्रसादः स्वर्गो वा तुल्यो नार्या न वा भवेत्। अहं स्वर्गं न हीच्छेयं त्वय्यप्रीते महेश्वर ॥१३-१३४-५२॥
For a woman, her husband's favor may be equal to heaven or not; O great lord, I would not desire heaven at all if you are not pleased with me. (13-134-52)
यद्यकार्यमधर्मं वा यदि वा प्राणनाशनम्। पतिर्ब्रूयाद्दरिद्रो वा व्याधितो वा कथञ्चन ॥१३-१३४-५३॥
If the husband, whether poor, afflicted with disease, or under any circumstance, commands what should not be done, unrighteousness, or even the destruction of life, (then...) (13-134-53)
आपन्नो रिपुसंस्थो वा ब्रह्मशापार्दितोऽपि वा। आपद्धर्माननुप्रेक्ष्य तत्कार्यमविशङ्कया ॥१३-१३४-५४॥
Whether one is afflicted, placed among enemies, or even struck by a brāhmaṇa's curse, one should, considering the codes of conduct in adversity, undertake that action without hesitation. (13-134-54)
एष देव मया प्रोक्तः स्त्रीधर्मो वचनात्तव। या त्वेवम्भाविनी नारी सा भवेद्धर्मभागिनी ॥१३-१३४-५५॥
O god, this woman's duty has been declared by me according to your statement. Any woman who thinks thus becomes a sharer in righteousness. (13-134-55)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
इत्युक्तः स तु देवेशः प्रतिपूज्य गिरेः सुताम्। लोकान्विसर्जयामास सर्वैरणुचरैः सह ॥१३-१३४-५६॥
Thus addressed, the lord of the gods, after duly honouring the daughter of the mountain, dismissed the worlds along with all their attendants. (13-134-56)
ततो ययुर्भूतगणाः सरितश्च यथागतम्। गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव प्रणम्य शिरसा भवम् ॥१३-१३४-५७॥
Then the hosts of beings and the rivers departed as they had come; and the Gandharvas and Apsarases, too, bowed their heads to Bhava (Śiva). (13-134-57)
