13.134
maheśvara uvāca॥
The Great Lord said.
parāvarajñe dharmajñe tapovananivāsini. sādhvi subhru sukeśānte himavatparvatātmaje ॥13-134-1॥
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)
dakṣe śamadamopete nirmame dharmacāriṇi। pṛcchāmi tvāṃ varārohe pṛṣṭā vada mamepsitam ॥13-134-2॥
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)
sāvitrī brahmaṇaḥ sādhvī kauśikasya śacī satī। mārtaṇḍajasya dhūmorṇā ṛddhirvaiśravaṇasya ca॥13-134-3॥
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)
varuṇasya tato gaurī sūryasya ca suvarcalā। rohiṇī śaśinaḥ sādhvī svāhā caiva vibhāvasoḥ॥13-134-4॥
Then, Gaurī is the wife of Varuṇa, Suvarcalā of Sūrya, Rohiṇī of the Moon, Sādhvī, and Svāhā of the Fire. (13-134-4)
aditiḥ kaśyapasya atha sarvāḥ tāḥ patidevatāḥ। pṛṣṭāḥ ca upāsitāḥ ca eva tāḥ tvayā devi nityaśaḥ॥13-134-5॥
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)
tena tvāṃ paripṛcchāmi dharmajñe dharmavādini. strīdharmaṃ śrotum icchāmi tvayodāhṛtam āditaḥ ॥13-134-6॥
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)
sahadharmacarī me tvaṁ samaśīlā samavratā। samānasāravīryā ca tapastīvram kṛtaṁ ca te॥ tvayā hyukto viśeṣeṇa pramāṇatvam upaiṣyati॥13-134-7॥
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)
striyaś caiva viśeṣeṇa strī-janasya gatiḥ sadā। gaur gāṃ gacchati su-śroṇi lokeṣu eṣā sthitiḥ sadā॥13-134-8॥
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)
mama cārdhaṃ śarīrasya mama cārdhād viniḥsṛtā। surakāryakarī ca tvaṃ lokasantānakāriṇī ॥13-134-9॥
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)
tava sarvaḥ suviditaḥ strīdharmaḥ śāśvataḥ śubhe। tasmādaśeṣato brūhi strīdharmaṃ vistareṇa me ॥13-134-10॥
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)
umovāca॥
Umā said.
bhagavansarvabhūteśa bhūtabhavyabhavodbhava। tvatprabhāvādiyaṁ deva vākcaiva pratibhāti me॥13-134-11॥
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)
imās tu nadyo deveśa sarvatīrthodakairyutāḥ। upasparśanahetos tvā samīpasthā upāsate॥13-134-12॥
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)
etābhiḥ saha saṁmantrya pravakṣyāmyanupūrvaśaḥ. prabhavanyo'nahaṁvādī sa vai puruṣa ucyate ॥13-134-13॥
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)
strī ca bhūteśa satataṁ striyam evānudhāvati। mayā saṁmānitāś caiva bhaviṣyanti sarid-varāḥ ॥13-134-14॥
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)
eṣā sarasvatī puṇyā nadīnām uttamā nadī। prathamā sarvasaritāṃ nadī sāgaragāminī ॥13-134-15॥
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)
vipāśā ca vitastā ca candrabhāgā irāvatī। śatadrurdevikā sindhuḥ kauśikī gomatī tathā॥13-134-16॥
Vipāśā, Vitastā, Candrabhāgā, Irāvatī, Śatadru, Devikā, Sindhu, Kauśikī, and Gomatī are also included. (13-134-16)
tathā devanadī ceyaṃ sarvatīrthābhisaṃvṛtā। gaganādgāṃ gatā devī gaṅgā sarvasaridvarā ॥13-134-17॥
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)
ity uktvā devadevasya patnī dharmabhṛtāṃ varā | smita-pūrvam iva abhāṣya sarvāḥ tāḥ saritaḥ tadā ॥13-134-18॥
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)
apṛcchad devamahiṣī strīdharmaṃ dharmavatsalā। strīdharma-kuśalās tā vai gaṅgā-ādyāḥ saritāṃ varāḥ ॥13-134-19॥
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)
ayaṃ bhagavatā dattaḥ praśnaḥ strīdharma-saṃśritaḥ। taṃ tu saṃmantrya yuṣmābhir vaktum icchāmi śaṅkare॥13-134-20॥
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)
na caikasādhyaṃ paśyāmi vijñānaṃ bhuvi kasyacit. divi vā sāgaragamās tena vo mānayāmy aham ॥13-134-21॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
evaṃ sarvāḥ saricchreṣṭhāḥ pṛṣṭāḥ puṇyatamāḥ śivāḥ। tato devanadī gaṅgā niyuktā pratipūjya tām ॥13-134-22॥
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)
bahvībhiḥ buddhibhiḥ sphītā strīdharmajñā śucismitā। śailarājasutāṃ devīṃ puṇyā pāpāpahāṃ śivām ॥13-134-23॥
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)
buddhyā vinayasampannā sarvajñānaviśāradā। sasmitam bahubuddhyāḍhyā gaṅgā vacanam abravīt ॥13-134-24॥
Gaṅgā, possessed of intelligence, humility, and skill in all knowledge, smiling and endowed with great wisdom, spoke these words. (13-134-24)
dhanyāḥ smo'nugṛhītāḥ smo devi dharmaparāyaṇā। yā tvaṃ sarvajaganmānyā nadīrmānayase'naghe ॥13-134-25॥
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)
prabhavanpṛcchate yo hi saṁmānayati vā punaḥ। nūnaṁ janamaduṣṭātmā paṇḍitākhyāṁ sa gacchati॥13-134-26॥
He who, though prominent, asks or again honours others, surely, a person with an innocent mind, attains the designation 'wise.' (13-134-26)
jñānavijñānasampannān ūhāpohaviśāradān। pravaktṝn pṛcchate yo' nyān sa vai na padam arcchati ॥13-134-27॥
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)
anyathā bahubuddhyāḍhyo vākyaṃ vadati saṃsadi। anyathaiva hyahaṃmānī durbalaṃ vadate vacaḥ ॥13-134-28॥
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)
divya-jñāne divi śreṣṭhe divya-puṇye sadotthite। tvam eva arhasi no devi strī-dharmam anuśāsitum ॥13-134-29॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
tataḥ sārādhitā devī gaṅgayā bahubhir guṇaiḥ। prāha sarvam aśeṣeṇa strīdharmaṃ surasundarī ॥13-134-30॥
Then, the goddess, well-pleased with Gaṅgā's many virtues, the celestial beauty spoke in full about the duties of women. (13-134-30)
strīdharmaḥ māṃ prati yathā pratibhāti yathāvidhi| tam ahaṃ kīrtayiṣyāmi tathaiva prathito bhavet ॥13-134-31॥
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)
strīdharmaḥ pūrva evāyaṁ vivāhe bandhubhiḥ kṛtaḥ. sahadharmacarī bhartur bhavaty agnisamīpataḥ ॥13-134-32॥
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)
susvabhāvā suvacanā suvṛttā sukhadarśanā। ananyacittā sumukhī bhartuḥ sā dharmacāriṇī॥13-134-33॥
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)
sā bhaved dharmaparamā sā bhaved dharmabhāginī। devavat satataṃ sādhvī yā bhartāraṃ prapaśyati॥13-134-34॥
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)
śuśrūṣāṃ paricāraṃ ca devavadyā karoti ca. nānyabhāvā hyavimanāḥ suvratā sukhadarśanā ॥13-134-35॥
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)
putravaktramivābhīkṣṇaṃ bharturvadanamīkṣate। yā sādhvī niyatācārā sā bhaved dharmacāriṇī॥13-134-36॥
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)
śrutvā dampatidharmaṁ vai sahadharmakṛtaṁ śubham। ananyacittā sumukhī bhartuḥ sā dharmacāriṇī ॥13-134-37॥
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)
paruṣāṇy api coktā yā dṛṣṭā vā krūracakṣuṣā। suprasannamukhī bhartur yā nārī sā pativratā॥13-134-38॥
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)
na candrasūryau na taruṃ puṃnāmno yā nirīkṣate। bhartṛ-varjaṃ varārohā sā bhaved dharmacāriṇī॥13-134-39॥
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)
daridraṃ vyādhitaṃ dīnamadhvanā parikarśitam। patiṃ putramivopāste sā nārī dharmabhāginī ॥13-134-40॥
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)
yā nārī prayatā dakṣā yā nārī putriṇī bhavet। patipriyā patiprāṇā sā nārī dharmabhāginī ॥13-134-41॥
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)
śuśrūṣāṃ paricaryāṃ ca karotyavimanāḥ sadā। supratītā vinītā ca sā nārī dharmabhāginī ॥13-134-42॥
The woman who always serves and attends without dejection, who is well-understood and humble, she is a sharer in virtue. (13-134-42)
na kāmeṣu na bhogeṣu naiśvarye na sukhe tathā। spṛhā yasyā yathā patyau sā nārī dharmabhāginī ॥13-134-43॥
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)
kalyotthānaratā nityaṃ guruśuśrūṣaṇe ratā। susaṃmṛṣṭakṣayā caiva gośakṛtkṛtalepanā ॥13-134-44॥
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)
agnikāryaparā nityaṃ sadā puṣpabalipradā। devatātithibhṛtyānāṃ nirupya patinā saha ॥13-134-45॥
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)
śeṣānnam upabhuñjānā yathā-nyāyaṃ yathā-vidhi. tuṣṭa-puṣṭa-janā nityaṃ nārī dharmeṇa yujyate ॥13-134-46॥
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)
śvaśrūśvaśurayoḥ pādau toṣayantī guṇānvitā। mātāpitr̥parā nityaṃ yā nārī sā tapodhanā ॥13-134-47॥
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)
brāhmaṇān durbalān āthān dīnān dākṛpaṇāṃs tathā। bibharty annena yā nārī sā pativratabhāginī ॥13-134-48॥
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)
vrataṃ carati yā nityaṃ duścaraṃ laghusattvayā। paticittā patihitā sā pativratabhāginī ॥13-134-49॥
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)
puṇyam etat tapaś caiva svargaś caiṣa sanātanaḥ। yā nārī bhartṛparamā bhaved bhartṛvratā śivā ॥13-134-50॥
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)
patir hi devo nārīṇāṃ patir bandhuḥ patir gatiḥ। patyā samā gatir nāsti daivataṃ vā yathā patiḥ ॥13-134-51॥
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)
patiprasādaḥ svargo vā tulyo nāryā na vā bhavet। ahaṃ svargaṃ na hīccheyaṃ tvayyaprīte maheśvara ॥13-134-52॥
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)
yadyakāryam adharmaṃ vā yadi vā prāṇa-nāśanam। patir brūyād daridro vā vyādhito vā kathaṃcana ॥13-134-53॥
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)
āpanno ripu-saṃstho vā brahma-śāpārdito'pi vā। āpaddharmān anuprekṣya tat kāryam aviśaṅkayā ॥13-134-54॥
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)
eṣa deva mayā proktaḥ strīdharmaḥ vacanāt tava. yā tu evam-bhāvinī nārī sā bhavet dharma-bhāginī ॥13-134-55॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
ity-uktaḥ sa tu deveśaḥ pratipūjya gireḥ sutām। lokān visarjayāmāsa sarvaiḥ anucaraiḥ saha॥13-134-56॥
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)
tato yayur bhūtagaṇāḥ saritaś ca yathāgatam. gandharvāpsarasaś caiva praṇamya śirasā bhavam ॥13-134-57॥
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)
