युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
३.२७७.१
नात्मानमनुशोचामि नेमान्भ्रातॄन्महामुने ।
हरणं चापि राज्यस्य यथेमां द्रुपदात्मजाम् ॥
हरणं चापि राज्यस्य यथेमां द्रुपदात्मजाम् ॥
M N Dutt
Yudhishthira said : O great sage, I do not grieve so much for myself or for these my brothers or for the loss of my kingdom as (I do) for this daughter of Drupada.
३.२७७.२
द्यूते दुरात्मभिः क्लिष्टाः कृष्णया तारिता वयम् ।
जयद्रथेन च पुनर्वनादपहृता बलात् ॥
जयद्रथेन च पुनर्वनादपहृता बलात् ॥
M N Dutt
When the wicked-souled (sons of Dhritarashtra) gave us pain at the game of dice we were delivered by Krishna. (But) Jayadratha forcibly carried her off even from the forest.
३.२७७.३
अस्ति सीमन्तिनी काचिद्दृष्टपूर्वाथ वा श्रुता ।
पतिव्रता महाभागा यथेयं द्रुपदात्मजा ॥
पतिव्रता महाभागा यथेयं द्रुपदात्मजा ॥
M N Dutt
Have you ever seen or heard of a lady as highly fortunate and as devoted to her husband as the daughter of Dripada?
मार्कण्डेय उवाच ।
३.२७७.४
शृणु राजन्कुलस्त्रीणां महाभाग्यं युधिष्ठिर ।
सर्वमेतद्यथा प्राप्तं सावित्र्या राजकन्यया ॥
सर्वमेतद्यथा प्राप्तं सावित्र्या राजकन्यया ॥
M N Dutt
Markandeya said : Hear, O king Yudhishthira, how the princess Savitri attained to all the high virtues of chaste ladies.
३.२७७.५
आसीन्मद्रेषु धर्मात्मा राजा परमधार्मिकः ।
ब्रह्मण्यश्च शरण्यश्च सत्यसंधो जितेन्द्रियः ॥
ब्रह्मण्यश्च शरण्यश्च सत्यसंधो जितेन्द्रियः ॥
M N Dutt
Among the Madra there was a pious, exceedingly virtuous and a high-souled king devoted to the ministrations of the Brahmanas, firm in promise and of subdued passions.
३.२७७.६
यज्वा दानपतिर्दक्षः पौरजानपदप्रियः ।
पार्थिवोऽश्वपतिर्नाम सर्वभूतहिते रतः ॥
पार्थिवोऽश्वपतिर्नाम सर्वभूतहिते रतः ॥
M N Dutt
This king, who was called Ashvapati was ever engaged in sacrifices, the foremost of the benevolent able loved by the people of the cities and provinces and was devoted to the welfare of all creatures.
३.२७७.७
क्षमावाननपत्यश्च सत्यवाग्विजितेन्द्रियः ।
अतिक्रान्तेन वयसा संतापमुपजग्मिवान् ॥
अतिक्रान्तेन वयसा संतापमुपजग्मिवान् ॥
M N Dutt
But that truthful and self-controlled monarch having no offspring, was much pained when he was far advanced in years.
३.२७७.८
अपत्योत्पादनार्थं स तीव्रं नियममास्थितः ।
काले परिमिताहारो ब्रह्मचारी जितेन्द्रियः ॥
काले परिमिताहारो ब्रह्मचारी जितेन्द्रियः ॥
M N Dutt
And in order to be blessed with children, he observed rigid vows, partook of moderate food at the proper time, led the Brahmacharya (mode of) life and subdued his passions.
३.२७७.९
हुत्वा शतसहस्रं स सावित्र्या राजसत्तम ।
षष्ठे षष्ठे तदा काले बभूव मितभोजनः ॥
षष्ठे षष्ठे तदा काले बभूव मितभोजनः ॥
M N Dutt
That most exalted of kings (daily) offered ten thousand oblations to Savitri and partook of a moderate food at the sixth portion of the day.
३.२७७.१०
एतेन नियमेनासीद्वर्षाण्यष्टादशैव तु ।
पूर्णे त्वष्टादशे वर्षे सावित्री तुष्टिमभ्यगात् ।
स्वरूपिणी तदा राजन्दर्शयामास तं नृपम् ॥
पूर्णे त्वष्टादशे वर्षे सावित्री तुष्टिमभ्यगात् ।
स्वरूपिणी तदा राजन्दर्शयामास तं नृपम् ॥
M N Dutt
He observed (all) these vows for eighteen years and when the eighteenth year was complete, Savitri was pleased with him.
३.२७७.११
अग्निहोत्रात्समुत्थाय हर्षेण महतान्विता ।
उवाच चैनं वरदा वचनं पार्थिवं तदा ॥
उवाच चैनं वरदा वचनं पार्थिवं तदा ॥
M N Dutt
And O monarch, rising from the sacrificial fire with great delight, she appeared before the king and desirous of conferring boons addressed the monarch thus,
३.२७७.१२
ब्रह्मचर्येण शुद्धेन दमेन नियमेन च ।
सर्वात्मना च मद्भक्त्या तुष्टास्मि तव पार्थिव ॥
सर्वात्मना च मद्भक्त्या तुष्टास्मि तव पार्थिव ॥
M N Dutt
Savitri said: "O king, I have been pleased with your Brahmacharya life, purity, self-control, observance of vows and all your endeavours and devotion.
३.२७७.१३
वरं वृणीष्वाश्वपते मद्रराज यथेप्सितम् ।
न प्रमादश्च धर्मेषु कर्तव्यस्ते कथंचन ॥
न प्रमादश्च धर्मेषु कर्तव्यस्ते कथंचन ॥
M N Dutt
O Ashvapati, O king of Madra, ask for whatever boon you desire. You should, however by no means disrespect virtue.
अश्वपतिरुवाच ।
३.२७७.१४
अपत्यार्थः समारम्भः कृतो धर्मेप्सया मया ।
पुत्रा मे बहवो देवि भवेयुः कुलभावनाः ॥
पुत्रा मे बहवो देवि भवेयुः कुलभावनाः ॥
M N Dutt
Ashvapati said : Desirous of attaining virtue, I have observed all these vows so that I may have children. O goddess, many numerous sons, woryour of my race, be born to me.
३.२७७.१५
तुष्टासि यदि मे देवि काममेतं वृणोम्यहम् ।
संतानं हि परो धर्म इत्याहुर्मां द्विजातयः ॥
संतानं हि परो धर्म इत्याहुर्मां द्विजातयः ॥
M N Dutt
O goddess, if you are pleased with me, then I pray for this boon. The Brahmanas have told me that one attains to the crowning merit by having children.
सावित्र्युवाच ।
३.२७७.१६
पूर्वमेव मया राजन्नभिप्रायमिमं तव ।
ज्ञात्वा पुत्रार्थमुक्तो वै तव हेतोः पितामहः ॥
ज्ञात्वा पुत्रार्थमुक्तो वै तव हेतोः पितामहः ॥
M N Dutt
Savitri said : Aware of your intentions before hand, I spoke about your sons to the divine Grandsire (Brahma).
३.२७७.१७
प्रसादाच्चैव तस्मात्ते स्वयंभुविहिताद्भुवि ।
कन्या तेजस्विनी सौम्य क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति ॥
कन्या तेजस्विनी सौम्य क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति ॥
M N Dutt
O virtuous one, you will, through the grace of that self-existent lord, have soon a highlyenergetic daughter on earth.
३.२७७.१८
उत्तरं च न ते किंचिद्व्याहर्तव्यं कथंचन ।
पितामहनिसर्गेण तुष्टा ह्येतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥
पितामहनिसर्गेण तुष्टा ह्येतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥
M N Dutt
I gladly tell you all this at the command of the Grandsire; you need not, therefore, make any reply.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच ।
३.२७७.१९
स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय सावित्र्या वचनं नृपः ।
प्रसादयामास पुनः क्षिप्रमेवं भवेदिति ॥
प्रसादयामास पुनः क्षिप्रमेवं भवेदिति ॥
M N Dutt
Markandeya said : The king then bowing assent to the words of Savitri and saying "be it so," pleased her again and said "may this soon happen."
३.२७७.२०
अन्तर्हितायां सावित्र्यां जगाम स्वगृहं नृपः ।
स्वराज्ये चावसत्प्रीतः प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन् ॥
स्वराज्ये चावसत्प्रीतः प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन् ॥
M N Dutt
When Savitri had disappeared the king entered his own city. And that hero began to dwell in his kingdom and govern his subjects righteously.
३.२७७.२१
कस्मिंश्चित्तु गते काले स राजा नियतव्रतः ।
ज्येष्ठायां धर्मचारिण्यां महिष्यां गर्भमादधे ॥
ज्येष्ठायां धर्मचारिण्यां महिष्यां गर्भमादधे ॥
M N Dutt
Some time having elapsed that king observant of vows, begot offspring in the womb of his eldest queen devoted to religion.
३.२७७.२२
राजपुत्र्यां तु गर्भः स मालव्यां भरतर्षभ ।
व्यवर्धत यथा शुक्ले तारापतिरिवाम्बरे ॥
व्यवर्धत यथा शुक्ले तारापतिरिवाम्बरे ॥
M N Dutt
O best of the Bharata, the embryo in the womb of the princess Malavi began to increase like the lord of the stars in heaven, during the lighted fortnight.
३.२७७.२३
प्राप्ते काले तु सुषुवे कन्यां राजीवलोचनाम् ।
क्रियाश्च तस्या मुदितश्चक्रे स नृपतिस्तदा ॥
क्रियाश्च तस्या मुदितश्चक्रे स नृपतिस्तदा ॥
M N Dutt
And at the proper time she gave birth to a daughter with eyes resembling lotus. And that best of kings gladly performed her natal rites.
३.२७७.२४
सावित्र्या प्रीतया दत्ता सावित्र्या हुतया ह्यपि ।
सावित्रीत्येव नामास्याश्चक्रुर्विप्रास्तथा पिता ॥
सावित्रीत्येव नामास्याश्चक्रुर्विप्रास्तथा पिता ॥
M N Dutt
And as Savitri gladly gave (him) that daughter on account of the king (daily) offering her oblations, both her father and the Brahmanas named her Savitri.
३.२७७.२५
सा विग्रहवतीव श्रीर्व्यवर्धत नृपात्मजा ।
कालेन चापि सा कन्या यौवनस्था बभूव ह ॥
कालेन चापि सा कन्या यौवनस्था बभूव ह ॥
M N Dutt
The king's daughter (gradually) grew up like the very embodiment of Sri (Lakshmi). And that damsel, in time stepped into youth.
३.२७७.२६
तां सुमध्यां पृथुश्रोणीं प्रतिमां काञ्चनीमिव ।
प्राप्तेयं देवकन्येति दृष्ट्वा संमेनिरे जनाः ॥
प्राप्तेयं देवकन्येति दृष्ट्वा संमेनिरे जनाः ॥
M N Dutt
Seeing that slender-waisted damsel of robust hips and looking like a golden image, people thought "we have got a goddess."
३.२७७.२७
तां तु पद्मपलाशाक्षीं ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा ।
न कश्चिद्वरयामास तेजसा प्रतिवारितः ॥
न कश्चिद्वरयामास तेजसा प्रतिवारितः ॥
M N Dutt
And oppressed by her, energy none could marry that girl of lotus-like eyes who seemed as if blazing in splendour.
३.२७७.२८
अथोपोष्य शिरःस्नाता दैवतान्यभिगम्य सा ।
हुत्वाग्निं विधिवद्विप्रान्वाचयामास पर्वणि ॥
हुत्वाग्निं विधिवद्विप्रान्वाचयामास पर्वणि ॥
M N Dutt
Then on a Parva day, Savitri, observing fasts, bathing her head and approaching the family deity caused the Brahmanas to offer oblations to the sacrificial fire in accordance with due rites.
३.२७७.२९
ततः सुमनसः शेषाः प्रतिगृह्य महात्मनः ।
पितुः सकाशमगमद्देवी श्रीरिव रूपिणी ॥
पितुः सकाशमगमद्देवी श्रीरिव रूपिणी ॥
M N Dutt
Then taking the flowers and garlands with which she worshipped the deity, Savitri looking like the very embodiment of Sri, repaired to her high-souled sire.
३.२७७.३०
साभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ शेषाः पूर्वं निवेद्य च ।
कृताञ्जलिर्वरारोहा नृपतेः पार्श्वतः स्थिता ॥
कृताञ्जलिर्वरारोहा नृपतेः पार्श्वतः स्थिता ॥
M N Dutt
And bowing down to the feet of her father and offering him those flowers and garlands, that highly beautiful damsel with joined-hands stood beside the king.
३.२७७.३१
यौवनस्थां तु तां दृष्ट्वा स्वां सुतां देवरूपिणीम् ।
अयाच्यमानां च वरैर्नृपतिर्दुःखितोऽभवत् ॥
अयाच्यमानां च वरैर्नृपतिर्दुःखितोऽभवत् ॥
M N Dutt
Seeing that his daughter (beautiful), as a goddess, attained her puberty and was not courted by suitors, the king became sorry.
राजोवाच ।
३.२७७.३२
पुत्रि प्रदानकालस्ते न च कश्चिद्वृणोति माम् ।
स्वयमन्विच्छ भर्तारं गुणैः सदृशमात्मनः ॥
स्वयमन्विच्छ भर्तारं गुणैः सदृशमात्मनः ॥
M N Dutt
The king said: Daughter, the time for giving you away is arrived. (But) none asks me (for your hand). Do you, (therefore) seek for a husband as qualified as you.
३.२७७.३३
प्रार्थितः पुरुषो यश्च स निवेद्यस्त्वया मम ।
विमृश्याहं प्रदास्यामि वरय त्वं यथेप्सितम् ॥
विमृश्याहं प्रदास्यामि वरय त्वं यथेप्सितम् ॥
M N Dutt
Speak of that person, to me, whom you desire (for your husband). Choose, whom you like, for your husband. I will (afterwards) on (due) deliberation give you away (to him).
३.२७७.३४
श्रुतं हि धर्मशास्त्रे मे पठ्यमानं द्विजातिभिः ।
तथा त्वमपि कल्याणि गदतो मे वचः शृणु ॥
तथा त्वमपि कल्याणि गदतो मे वचः शृणु ॥
M N Dutt
Hear, O auspicious girl, as I tell you the words, which I have heard the twice-born ones to recite from the sacred books.
३.२७७.३५
अप्रदाता पिता वाच्यो वाच्यश्चानुपयन्पतिः ।
मृते भर्तरि पुत्रश्च वाच्यो मातुररक्षिता ॥
मृते भर्तरि पुत्रश्च वाच्यो मातुररक्षिता ॥
M N Dutt
That father who does not give away his daughter in marriage, is blamed. That husband who does not enjoy his wife during her courses is also blamed. And that son, who does not maintain his mother in her widowhood, meets with disgrace.
३.२७७.३६
इदं मे वचनं श्रुत्वा भर्तुरन्वेषणे त्वर ।
देवतानां यथा वाच्यो न भवेयं तथा कुरु ॥
देवतानां यथा वाच्यो न भवेयं तथा कुरु ॥
M N Dutt
Hearing these my words do you speedily go in search of a husband. Act in such a way that we may not be blamed by the gods.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच ।
३.२७७.३७
एवमुक्त्वा दुहितरं तथा वृद्धांश्च मन्त्रिणः ।
व्यादिदेशानुयात्रं च गम्यतामित्यचोदयत् ॥
व्यादिदेशानुयात्रं च गम्यतामित्यचोदयत् ॥
M N Dutt
Markandeya said : Addressing thus his daughter and his old ministers, (the king) gave orders to make preparations (for their departure) and said "go".
३.२७७.३८
साभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ व्रीडितेव मनस्विनी ।
पितुर्वचनमाज्ञाय निर्जगामाविचारितम् ॥
पितुर्वचनमाज्ञाय निर्जगामाविचारितम् ॥
M N Dutt
(Thereupon), she, (gentle and meek) as a fernale ascetic, bashfully bowing down to the feet of her father, set out without hesitation, in obedience to the commands of her sire.
३.२७७.३९
सा हैमं रथमास्थाय स्थविरैः सचिवैर्वृता ।
तपोवनानि रम्याणि राजर्षीणां जगाम ह ॥
तपोवनानि रम्याणि राजर्षीणां जगाम ह ॥
M N Dutt
Seated on a car of gold and surrounded by the ministers, she visited the delightful hermitage of the royal sages.
३.२७७.४०
मान्यानां तत्र वृद्धानां कृत्वा पादाभिवन्दनम् ।
वनानि क्रमशस्तात सर्वाण्येवाभ्यगच्छत ॥
वनानि क्रमशस्तात सर्वाण्येवाभ्यगच्छत ॥
M N Dutt
O son, there bowing down to the feet of the elders and the revered, she visited all the forests one after the other.
३.२७७.४१
एवं सर्वेषु तीर्थेषु धनोत्सर्गं नृपात्मजा ।
कुर्वती द्विजमुख्यानां तं तं देशं जगाम ह ॥
कुर्वती द्विजमुख्यानां तं तं देशं जगाम ह ॥
M N Dutt
Thus giving away riches in all the Tirthas, the king's daughter travelled over all those places inhabited by the foremost of the twiceborn ones.
॥ इति ३.२७७ ॥
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