मार्कण्डेय उवाच ।
३.२८१.१
अथ भार्यासहायः स फलान्यादाय वीर्यवान् ।
कठिनं पूरयामास ततः काष्ठान्यपाटयत् ॥
कठिनं पूरयामास ततः काष्ठान्यपाटयत् ॥
M N Dutt
Markandeya said : Accompanied by his wife the powerful Satyavana (first) gathered fruits and filled his bag; he then began to cut down the trees.
३.२८१.२
तस्य पाटयतः काष्ठं स्वेदो वै समजायत ।
व्यायामेन च तेनास्य जज्ञे शिरसि वेदना ॥
व्यायामेन च तेनास्य जज्ञे शिरसि वेदना ॥
M N Dutt
As he was felling the branches he began to sweat and had an headache in consequence of the labour. Oppressed with toil, he came to his dear wife and said to her thus.
३.२८१.४
अङ्गानि चैव सावित्रि हृदयं दूयतीव च ।
अस्वस्थमिव चात्मानं लक्षये मितभाषिणि ॥
अस्वस्थमिव चात्मानं लक्षये मितभाषिणि ॥
M N Dutt
Satyavana said : I have a headache on account of this exercise. And, O Savitri, my limbs and heart are aching. O lady of restrained speech, I feel unwell. It seems (to me) that my head is being pierced by arrows. Therefore, O blessed lady, I feel inclined to sleep; for I am quite unable to stand.
३.२८१.५
शूलैरिव शिरो विद्धमिदं संलक्षयाम्यहम् ।
तत्स्वप्तुमिच्छे कल्याणि न स्थातुं शक्तिरस्ति मे ॥
तत्स्वप्तुमिच्छे कल्याणि न स्थातुं शक्तिरस्ति मे ॥
M N Dutt
Satyavana said : I have a headache on account of this exercise. And, O Savitri, my limbs and heart are aching. O lady of restrained speech, I feel unwell. It seems (to me) that my head is being pierced by arrows. Therefore, O blessed lady, I feel inclined to sleep; for I am quite unable to stand.
३.२८१.६
समासाद्याथ सावित्री भर्तारमुपगूह्य च ।
उत्सङ्गेऽस्य शिरः कृत्वा निषसाद महीतले ॥
उत्सङ्गेऽस्य शिरः कृत्वा निषसाद महीतले ॥
M N Dutt
(Thereupon), Savitri coming up to her husband, sat down on the ground with his head on her lap.
३.२८१.७
ततः सा नारदवचो विमृशन्ती तपस्विनी ।
तं मुहूर्तं क्षणं वेलां दिवसं च युयोज ह ॥
तं मुहूर्तं क्षणं वेलां दिवसं च युयोज ह ॥
M N Dutt
Then that devout lady, remembering the words of Narada, began to calculate the moment, the hour, the time and the day.
३.२८१.८
मुहूर्तादिव चापश्यत्पुरुषं पीतवाससम् ।
बद्धमौलिं वपुष्मन्तमादित्यसमतेजसम् ॥
बद्धमौलिं वपुष्मन्तमादित्यसमतेजसम् ॥
M N Dutt
And in a moment she saw a person attired in red garments, wearing a diadem, of an enormous structure, having the splendour of the sun of a dark and yellow complexion, endued with red eyes, with a noose in his hands, dreadful to look at, standing beside Satyavana and gazing at him.
३.२८१.९
श्यामावदातं रक्ताक्षं पाशहस्तं भयावहम् ।
स्थितं सत्यवतः पार्श्वे निरीक्षन्तं तमेव च ॥
स्थितं सत्यवतः पार्श्वे निरीक्षन्तं तमेव च ॥
M N Dutt
And in a moment she saw a person attired in red garments, wearing a diadem, of an enormous structure, having the splendour of the sun of a dark and yellow complexion, endued with red eyes, with a noose in his hands, dreadful to look at, standing beside Satyavana and gazing at him.
३.२८१.१०
तं दृष्ट्वा सहसोत्थाय भर्तुर्न्यस्य शनैः शिरः ।
कृताञ्जलिरुवाचार्ता हृदयेन प्रवेपता ॥
कृताञ्जलिरुवाचार्ता हृदयेन प्रवेपता ॥
M N Dutt
Beholding him she gently placed her husband's head on the ground. Then rising suddenly she, with a trembling heart and joined palms, said these words in a great sorrow.
३.२८१.११
दैवतं त्वाभिजानामि वपुरेतद्ध्यमानुषम् ।
कामया ब्रूहि मे देव कस्त्वं किं च चिकीर्षसि ॥
कामया ब्रूहि मे देव कस्त्वं किं च चिकीर्षसि ॥
M N Dutt
Savitri said: From your superhuman appearance I know you to be a god. Kindly tell me, O god of gods, who you are and what is your desire.
यम उवाच ।
३.२८१.१२
पतिव्रतासि सावित्रि तथैव च तपोन्विता ।
अतस्त्वामभिभाषामि विद्धि मां त्वं शुभे यमम् ॥
अतस्त्वामभिभाषामि विद्धि मां त्वं शुभे यमम् ॥
M N Dutt
Yama said: O Savitri, you are devotedly attached to your husband and are of ascetic virtue. And it for this reason that I address you. Know me, O auspicious girl, to be Yana.
३.२८१.१३
अयं ते सत्यवान्भर्ता क्षीणायुः पार्थिवात्मजः ।
नेष्याम्येनमहं बद्ध्वा विद्ध्येतन्मे चिकीर्षितम् ॥
नेष्याम्येनमहं बद्ध्वा विद्ध्येतन्मे चिकीर्षितम् ॥
M N Dutt
The years of this prince, your husband, being numbered, I will bind (him with this noose) and take him hence. Know this to be my। intention.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच ।
३.२८१.१४
इत्युक्त्वा पितृराजस्तां भगवान्स्वं चिकीर्षितम् ।
यथावत्सर्वमाख्यातुं तत्प्रियार्थं प्रचक्रमे ॥
यथावत्सर्वमाख्यातुं तत्प्रियार्थं प्रचक्रमे ॥
M N Dutt
Markandeya said : Thus addressed by her, the divine lord of the Pitris, in order to please her, began faithfully to relate everything about his intentions.
३.२८१.१५
अयं हि धर्मसंयुक्तो रूपवान्गुणसागरः ।
नार्हो मत्पुरुषैर्नेतुमतोऽस्मि स्वयमागतः ॥
नार्हो मत्पुरुषैर्नेतुमतोऽस्मि स्वयमागतः ॥
M N Dutt
And he said, I have come here personally considering that my emissaries are not fit to bring such a devotional and handsome person, endued with qualities, vast as a sea."
३.२८१.१६
ततः सत्यवतः कायात्पाशबद्धं वशं गतम् ।
अङ्गुष्ठमात्रं पुरुषं निश्चकर्ष यमो बलात् ॥
अङ्गुष्ठमात्रं पुरुषं निश्चकर्ष यमो बलात् ॥
M N Dutt
Then Yama powerfully drew out of the body of Satyavana a person of the measure of the thumb, bound him with the noose and brought him under control.
३.२८१.१७
ततः समुद्धृतप्राणं गतश्वासं हतप्रभम् ।
निर्विचेष्टं शरीरं तद्बभूवाप्रियदर्शनम् ॥
निर्विचेष्टं शरीरं तद्बभूवाप्रियदर्शनम् ॥
M N Dutt
The life being taken out, the body deprived of breath, destitute of lustre and devoid of motion, became disagreeable to the eye.
३.२८१.१८
यमस्तु तं तथा बद्ध्वा प्रयातो दक्षिणामुखः ।
सावित्री चापि दुःखार्ता यममेवान्वगच्छत ।
नियमव्रतसंसिद्धा महाभागा पतिव्रता ॥
सावित्री चापि दुःखार्ता यममेवान्वगच्छत ।
नियमव्रतसंसिद्धा महाभागा पतिव्रता ॥
M N Dutt
Binding it thus, Yama proceeded towards the south; and weighed down with grief, the exalted Savitri also, devotedly attached to her husband and successful in her vow, followed him.
यम उवाच ।
३.२८१.१९
निवर्त गच्छ सावित्रि कुरुष्वास्यौर्ध्वदेहिकम् ।
कृतं भर्तुस्त्वयानृण्यं यावद्गम्यं गतं त्वया ॥
कृतं भर्तुस्त्वयानृण्यं यावद्गम्यं गतं त्वया ॥
M N Dutt
Yama said: Go back, O Savitri and perform the last rites of your husband. Your debt to your husband is discharged. You have come as far as is possible (for you) to do.
सावित्र्युवाच ।
३.२८१.२०
यत्र मे नीयते भर्ता स्वयं वा यत्र गच्छति ।
मयापि तत्र गन्तव्यमेष धर्मः सनातनः ॥
मयापि तत्र गन्तव्यमेष धर्मः सनातनः ॥
M N Dutt
Savitri said: I ought to follow my husband thither where he is being carried to or whither he goes of his own accord. (Because) this is the eternal duty.
३.२८१.२१
तपसा गुरुवृत्त्या च भर्तुः स्नेहाद्व्रतेन च ।
तव चैव प्रसादेन न मे प्रतिहता गतिः ॥
तव चैव प्रसादेन न मे प्रतिहता गतिः ॥
M N Dutt
There shall be no obstacle to my course on account of my asceticism, my devotion to superiors, my affection for my husband, my observance of vows and your grace.
३.२८१.२२
प्राहुः सप्तपदं मित्रं बुधास्तत्त्वार्थदर्शिनः ।
मित्रतां च पुरस्कृत्य किंचिद्वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु ॥
मित्रतां च पुरस्कृत्य किंचिद्वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु ॥
M N Dutt
It is asserted by the wise, versed in true knowledge, that one contracts a friendship with another by going only seven paces with him. I will tell you something keeping this friendship in view. Pray listen to it.
३.२८१.२३
नानात्मवन्तस्तु वने चरन्ति
धर्मं च वासं च परिश्रमं च ।
विज्ञानतो धर्ममुदाहरन्ति
तस्मात्सन्तो धर्ममाहुः प्रधानम् ॥
धर्मं च वासं च परिश्रमं च ।
विज्ञानतो धर्ममुदाहरन्ति
तस्मात्सन्तो धर्ममाहुः प्रधानम् ॥
M N Dutt
Men, wanting in self-control do not observe (the proper rites and sacrifices) even in the forest. Nor do they go through and discharge the necessary duties of these three modes of life, namely conjugal or domestic life, life of celebacy and study in the house of the preceptor and thirdly a life of the total renunciation of the world. Conjugal life or domesticity leads to true religious merit. It is for this reason that the wise assert that domestic (which leads to righteousness) is the best of all (other modes of life).
३.२८१.२४
एकस्य धर्मेण सतां मतेन
सर्वे स्म तं मार्गमनुप्रपन्नाः ।
मा वै द्वितीयं मा तृतीयं च वाञ्छे
तस्मात्सन्तो धर्ममाहुः प्रधानम् ॥
सर्वे स्म तं मार्गमनुप्रपन्नाः ।
मा वै द्वितीयं मा तृतीयं च वाञ्छे
तस्मात्सन्तो धर्ममाहुः प्रधानम् ॥
M N Dutt
By discharging faithfully the necessary duties of this one mode of life (i.e. conjugal life) we have all attained to the path (of righteousness) and therefore we do not covet the second and the third modes of life (i.e. celebacy and renunciation of the world). It is therefore that domesticity with its necessary duties is considered by the wise as the foremost of all (other lives).
यम उवाच ।
३.२८१.२५
निवर्त तुष्टोऽस्मि तवानया गिरा
स्वराक्षरव्यञ्जनहेतुयुक्तया ।
वरं वृणीष्वेह विनास्य जीवितं
ददानि ते सर्वमनिन्दिते वरम् ॥
स्वराक्षरव्यञ्जनहेतुयुक्तया ।
वरं वृणीष्वेह विनास्य जीवितं
ददानि ते सर्वमनिन्दिते वरम् ॥
M N Dutt
Yama said: Do go back. I have been delighted with your words couched in (proper) letters and accents and resting on reason. Do you ask for a boon with the exception of your husband's life. O lady of faultless proportions, I will give any boon (you desire).
सावित्र्युवाच ।
३.२८१.२६
च्युतः स्वराज्याद्वनवासमाश्रितो
विनष्टचक्षुः श्वशुरो ममाश्रमे ।
स लब्धचक्षुर्बलवान्भवेन्नृप
स्तव प्रसादाज्ज्वलनार्कसंनिभः ॥
विनष्टचक्षुः श्वशुरो ममाश्रमे ।
स लब्धचक्षुर्बलवान्भवेन्नृप
स्तव प्रसादाज्ज्वलनार्कसंनिभः ॥
M N Dutt
Savitri said: My father-in-law has been driven away from this kingdom and has lost his eyes. He now leads a forest life in our hermitage. Let that king, through your grace, be restored to his sight and be as powerful as the sun or fire.
यम उवाच ।
३.२८१.२७
ददानि ते सर्वमनिन्दिते वरं
यथा त्वयोक्तं भविता च तत्तथा ।
तवाध्वना ग्लानिमिवोपलक्षये
निवर्त गच्छस्व न ते श्रमो भवेत् ॥
यथा त्वयोक्तं भविता च तत्तथा ।
तवाध्वना ग्लानिमिवोपलक्षये
निवर्त गच्छस्व न ते श्रमो भवेत् ॥
M N Dutt
Yama said: O blameless girl, I give you this boon, that, what you have asked of me, will take place. I see you are wearied with your journey. Do not proceed further. Go back. Do not take any more trouble.
सावित्र्युवाच ।
३.२८१.२८
कुतः श्रमो भर्तृसमीपतो हि मे
यतो हि भर्ता मम सा गतिर्ध्रुवा ।
यतः पतिं नेष्यसि तत्र मे गतिः
सुरेश भूयश्च वचो निबोध मे ॥
यतो हि भर्ता मम सा गतिर्ध्रुवा ।
यतः पतिं नेष्यसि तत्र मे गतिः
सुरेश भूयश्च वचो निबोध मे ॥
M N Dutt
Savitri said : I do not feel fatigue as I am with my husband. I will surely follow the same path as my husband does. I will surely go thither where you are taking my lord to. O best of the celestials, listen again to what I say.
३.२८१.२९
सतां सकृत्संगतमीप्सितं परं
ततः परं मित्रमिति प्रचक्षते ।
न चाफलं सत्पुरुषेण संगतं
ततः सतां संनिवसेत्समागमे ॥
ततः परं मित्रमिति प्रचक्षते ।
न चाफलं सत्पुरुषेण संगतं
ततः सतां संनिवसेत्समागमे ॥
M N Dutt
(It is asserted by the wise) that even a single interview with the virtuous is highly desirable. Friendship with them is much more so. Communion with the righteous is never without fruit. So one should always associate with the virtuous.
यम उवाच ।
३.२८१.३०
मनोनुकूलं बुधबुद्धिवर्धनं
त्वयाहमुक्तो वचनं हिताश्रयम् ।
विना पुनः सत्यवतोऽस्य जीवितं
वरं द्वितीयं वरयस्व भामिनि ॥
त्वयाहमुक्तो वचनं हिताश्रयम् ।
विना पुनः सत्यवतोऽस्य जीवितं
वरं द्वितीयं वरयस्व भामिनि ॥
M N Dutt
Yama said: The words spoken by you are pregnant with great import. They augment the wisdom of even the learned and are delightful to the mind. Therefore, O damsel, with the exception of Satyavana's life to you ask for a second boon.
सावित्र्युवाच ।
३.२८१.३१
हृतं पुरा मे श्वशुरस्य धीमतः
स्वमेव राज्यं स लभेत पार्थिवः ।
जह्यात्स्वधर्मं न च मे गुरुर्यथा
द्वितीयमेतं वरयामि ते वरम् ॥
स्वमेव राज्यं स लभेत पार्थिवः ।
जह्यात्स्वधर्मं न च मे गुरुर्यथा
द्वितीयमेतं वरयामि ते वरम् ॥
M N Dutt
Savitri said: Let that king, my intellectual father-in-law, regain his kingdom that he lost before. And may that worshipful one never fail to properly discharge his duties. This is the second boon that I pray for.
यम उवाच ।
३.२८१.३२
स्वमेव राज्यं प्रतिपत्स्यतेऽचिरा
न्न च स्वधर्मात्परिहास्यते नृपः ।
कृतेन कामेन मया नृपात्मजे
निवर्त गच्छस्व न ते श्रमो भवेत् ॥
न्न च स्वधर्मात्परिहास्यते नृपः ।
कृतेन कामेन मया नृपात्मजे
निवर्त गच्छस्व न ते श्रमो भवेत् ॥
M N Dutt
Yama said: That monarch will be soon restored to his kingdom and be ever firm in his duties Princess, I have now gratified your wish. Do not proceed further; go back; do not allow yourself to be any more weary.
सावित्र्युवाच ।
३.२८१.३३
प्रजास्त्वयेमा नियमेन संयता
नियम्य चैता नयसे न कामया ।
अतो यमत्वं तव देव विश्रुतं
निबोध चेमां गिरमीरितां मया ॥
नियम्य चैता नयसे न कामया ।
अतो यमत्वं तव देव विश्रुतं
निबोध चेमां गिरमीरितां मया ॥
M N Dutt
Savitri said: You have controlled all the creatures by your ordinances and you carry them away not according to your caprice but those regulations. Therefore, O god, you are styled Yama (i.e. one who governs by ordinances). Hear (again) these my words.
३.२८१.३४
अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु कर्मणा मनसा गिरा ।
अनुग्रहश्च दानं च सतां धर्मः सनातनः ॥
अनुग्रहश्च दानं च सतां धर्मः सनातनः ॥
M N Dutt
Abstention froin injury to all creatures in thought, word, and deed, and kindness, and gift, are the permanent duties of the good. one
३.२८१.३५
एवंप्रायश्च लोकोऽयं मनुष्याः शक्तिपेशलाः ।
सन्तस्त्वेवाप्यमित्रेषु दयां प्राप्तेषु कुर्वते ॥
सन्तस्त्वेवाप्यमित्रेषु दयां प्राप्तेषु कुर्वते ॥
M N Dutt
In this world, it is generally the case that men here are destitute of energy and skill. (But) the righteous show mercy even to their enemies when the latter throw themselves into the protection.
यम उवाच ।
३.२८१.३६
पिपासितस्येव यथा भवेत्पय
स्तथा त्वया वाक्यमिदं समीरितम् ।
विना पुनः सत्यवतोऽस्य जीवितं
वरं वृणीष्वेह शुभे यदिच्छसि ॥
स्तथा त्वया वाक्यमिदं समीरितम् ।
विना पुनः सत्यवतोऽस्य जीवितं
वरं वृणीष्वेह शुभे यदिच्छसि ॥
M N Dutt
Yama said: The words uttered by you appear (to me) as delicious as water to a thirsty person. (Therefore), O auspicious girl, do you ask again for any other boon that you like than the life of Satyavana.
॥ इति ३.२८१ ॥
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