The Birth of Savitri

Verse 1 (3.294.1)

नात्मानमनुशोचामि नेमान्भ्रातॄन्महामुने । हरणं चापि राज्यस्य यथेमां द्रुपदात्मजाम् ॥

nātmānamanuśocāmi nemānbhrātṝnmahāmune | haraṇaṃ cāpi rājyasya yathemāṃ drupadātmajām

I do not grieve for myself, great sage, nor for these brothers of mine, nor for the loss of the kingdom, as I grieve for this daughter of Drupada.

Note on the text: Corrected राज्यस् → राज्यस्य (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara; the critical edition reads rājyasya).

Verse 2 (3.294.2)

द्यूते दुरात्मभिः क्लिष्टाः कृष्णया तारिता वयम् । जयद्रथेन चपुनर्वनाच्चापि हृता बलात् ॥

dyūte durātmabhiḥ kliṣṭāḥ kṛṣṇayā tāritā vayam | jayadrathena capunarvanāccāpi hṛtā balāt

When we were tormented at the dice by wicked men, it was Krishna who rescued us; and now again she has been carried off from the forest by force by Jayadratha.

Verse 3 (3.294.3)

अस्ति सीमन्तिनी काचिद्दृष्टपूर्वाऽपिवा श्रुता । पतिव्रता महाभागा यथेयं द्रुपदात्मजा ॥

asti sīmantinī kāciddṛṣṭapūrvā'pivā śrutā | pativratā mahābhāgā yatheyaṃ drupadātmajā

Has any woman been seen before, or heard of, so devoted to her husband and so noble as this daughter of Drupada?

Verse 4 (3.294.4)

शृणु राजन्कुलस्त्रीणां महाभाग्यं युधिष्ठिर । सर्वमेतद्यथाप्राप्तं सावित्र्या राजकन्यया ॥

śṛṇu rājankulastrīṇāṃ mahābhāgyaṃ yudhiṣṭhira | sarvametadyathāprāptaṃ sāvitryā rājakanyayā

Hear, King Yudhishthira, of the great fortune of women of good family — all of it, just as it was won by Savitri, a king's daughter.

Verse 5 (3.294.5)

आसीन्मद्रेषु धर्मात्मा राजा परमधार्मिकः । ब्रह्मण्यश्चमहात्मा च सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रियः ॥

āsīnmadreṣu dharmātmā rājā paramadhārmikaḥ | brahmaṇyaścamahātmā ca satyasandho jitendriyaḥ

Among the Madras there was a king, righteous in soul and supremely devoted to dharma, devoted to brahmins, great-souled, true to his word and master of his senses.

Verse 6 (3.294.6)

यज्वा दानपतिर्दक्षः पौरजानपदप्रियः । पार्थिवोऽश्वपतिर्नाम सर्वभूतहिते रतः ॥

yajvā dānapatirdakṣaḥ paurajānapadapriyaḥ | pārthivo'śvapatirnāma sarvabhūtahite rataḥ

He offered sacrifices, gave generously, was capable and beloved of the people of town and country; he was a ruler named Ashvapati, devoted to the welfare of all beings.

Verse 7 (3.294.7)

क्षमावाननपत्यश्च सत्यवाग्विजितेन्द्रियः । अतिक्रान्तेन वयसा संतापमुपजग्मिवान् ॥

kṣamāvānanapatyaśca satyavāgvijitendriyaḥ | atikrāntena vayasā saṃtāpamupajagmivān

Forbearing, truthful in speech and self-controlled, he had no children; and as his years passed by, he fell into distress.

Verse 8 (3.294.8)

अपत्योत्पादनार्थं च तीव्रं नियममास्थितः । काले परिमिताहारो ब्रह्मचारी जितेन्द्रियः ॥

apatyotpādanārthaṃ ca tīvraṃ niyamamāsthitaḥ | kāle parimitāhāro brahmacārī jitendriyaḥ

To beget offspring he took up a severe observance: eating a measured amount at fixed times, living in chastity, master of his senses.

Note on the text: Corrected ब्रहमचारी → ब्रह्मचारी (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct; the critical edition reads brahmacārī).

Verse 9 (3.294.9)

हुत्वा शतसहस्रं स सावित्र्या राजसत्तम । षष्ठेषष्ठे तदाकाले बभूव मितभोजनः ॥

hutvā śatasahasraṃ sa sāvitryā rājasattama | ṣaṣṭheṣaṣṭhe tadākāle babhūva mitabhojanaḥ

Offering a hundred thousand oblations with the Savitri verse, best of kings, he ate sparingly, and only at the sixth division of the day.

Note on the text: Corrected मितमोजनः → मितभोजनः (misprint in Wikisource; म for भ; the critical edition reads mitabhojanaḥ).

Verse 10 (3.294.10)

एतेन नियमेनासीद्वर्षाण्यष्टादशैव तु । पूर्णे त्वष्टादशे वर्षे सावित्री तुष्टिमभ्यगात् ॥

etena niyamenāsīdvarṣāṇyaṣṭādaśaiva tu | pūrṇe tvaṣṭādaśe varṣe sāvitrī tuṣṭimabhyagāt

He kept to this observance for eighteen years. When the eighteenth year was complete, the goddess Savitri was pleased.

Note on the text: Wikisource divides 3.277.10–11 (a three-line verse and a two-line verse) into three two-line verses (294.10–12); this one is 3.277.10ab.

Verse 11 (3.294.11)

रूपिणी तु तदा राजन्दर्शयामास तं नृपम् । अग्निहोत्रात्समुत्थाय हर्षेण महताऽन्विता ॥

rūpiṇī tu tadā rājandarśayāmāsa taṃ nṛpam | agnihotrātsamutthāya harṣeṇa mahatā'nvitā

Then, O king, taking bodily form, she showed herself to the king, rising out of the sacred fire with great joy.

Note on the text: This verse is the critical edition's 3.277.10e plus 3.277.11a.

Verse 12 (3.294.12)

उवाच चैनं वरदा वचनं पार्थिवं तदा । सा तमश्वपतिं राजन्सावित्री नियमे स्थितम् ॥

uvāca cainaṃ varadā vacanaṃ pārthivaṃ tadā | sā tamaśvapatiṃ rājansāvitrī niyame sthitam

And Savitri, the giver of boons, spoke then to the king — to Ashvapati, O king, steadfast in his observance:

Note on the text: The first line is 3.277.11c; the second line is not in the critical text — its apparatus records it as the starred passage 3.277.11*1310 (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 13 (3.294.13)

ब्रह्मचर्येण शुद्धेन दमेन नियमेन च । सर्वात्मना च भक्त्या च तुष्टाऽस्मि तव पार्थिव ॥

brahmacaryeṇa śuddhena damena niyamena ca | sarvātmanā ca bhaktyā ca tuṣṭā'smi tava pārthiva

"I am pleased with you, king, for your pure chastity, your self-restraint and observance, and your devotion with your whole being."

Note on the text: Corrected रच → च (misprint in Wikisource; stray akshara र; the critical edition reads niyamena ca) and पार्थिवाः → पार्थिव (misprint in Wikisource; plural ending on a vocative addressed to one king; the critical edition reads pārthiva). Speaker: the goddess Savitri's direct speech; Wikisource prints no heading and carries मार्कण्डेय on.

Verse 14 (3.294.14)

वरं वृणीष्वाश्वपते मद्रराज यदीप्सितम् । न प्रमादश्च धर्मेषु कर्तव्यस्ते कथंचन ॥

varaṃ vṛṇīṣvāśvapate madrarāja yadīpsitam | na pramādaśca dharmeṣu kartavyaste kathaṃcana

"Choose a boon, Ashvapati, king of the Madras, whatever you desire. And never be careless in matters of dharma."

Note on the text: Corrected प्रामादश्च → प्रमादश्च (misprint in Wikisource; stray vowel sign; the critical edition reads pramādaś ca). Speaker: the goddess Savitri's speech continues; Wikisource carries मार्कण्डेय on.

Verse 15 (3.294.15)

अपत्यार्थः समारम्भः कृतो धर्मेप्सया मया । पुत्रा मे बहवो देवि भवेयुः कुलभावनाः ॥

apatyārthaḥ samārambhaḥ kṛto dharmepsayā mayā | putrā me bahavo devi bhaveyuḥ kulabhāvanāḥ

"I undertook this effort for the sake of offspring, seeking to fulfil dharma. May I have many sons, goddess, to carry on my line."

Verse 16 (3.294.16)

तुष्टाऽसि यदि मे देवि वरमेतं वृणोम्यहम् । संतानं परमो धर्म इत्याहुर्मां द्विजातयः ॥

tuṣṭā'si yadi me devi varametaṃ vṛṇomyaham | saṃtānaṃ paramo dharma ityāhurmāṃ dvijātayaḥ

"If you are pleased with me, goddess, this is the boon I choose; for the twice-born tell me that offspring is the highest dharma."

Note on the text: Corrected संतां → संतानं (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara, which also leaves the line a syllable short; the critical edition reads saṃtānaṃ).

Verse 17 (3.294.17)

पूर्वमेव मया राजन्नभिप्रायमिमं तव । ज्ञात्वा पुत्रार्थमुक्तो वै भगवांस्ते पितामहः ॥

pūrvameva mayā rājannabhiprāyamimaṃ tava | jñātvā putrārthamukto vai bhagavāṃste pitāmahaḥ

"Knowing this wish of yours beforehand, king, I have already spoken to the blessed Grandsire about a son for you."

Verse 18 (3.294.18)

प्रसादाच्चैव तस्मात्ते स्वयं विहितवत्यहम् । कन्या तेजस्विनी सौम्य क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति ॥

prasādāccaiva tasmātte svayaṃ vihitavatyaham | kanyā tejasvinī saumya kṣiprameva bhaviṣyati

"By his grace I have myself ordained it: a radiant daughter will soon be born to you, gentle one."

Verse 19 (3.294.19)

उत्तरं च न ते किंचिद्व्याहर्तव्यं कथंचन । पितामहनियोगेन तुष्टा ह्येतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥

uttaraṃ ca na te kiṃcidvyāhartavyaṃ kathaṃcana | pitāmahaniyogena tuṣṭā hyetadbravīmi te

"You must make no reply to this at all. Pleased with you, I tell you this at the Grandsire's command."

Verse 20 (3.294.20)

स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय सावित्र्या वचनं नृपः । प्रसादयामास पुनः क्षिप्रमेतद्भविष्यति ॥

sa tatheti pratijñāya sāvitryā vacanaṃ nṛpaḥ | prasādayāmāsa punaḥ kṣiprametadbhaviṣyati

The king accepted Savitri's word, saying "So be it", and entreated her again: "Let it come to pass soon."

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 21 (3.294.21)

अन्तर्हितायां सावित्र्यां जगाम स्वपुरं नृपः । स्वराज्ये चावसद्वीरः प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन् ॥

antarhitāyāṃ sāvitryāṃ jagāma svapuraṃ nṛpaḥ | svarājye cāvasadvīraḥ prajā dharmeṇa pālayan

When Savitri had vanished, the king went to his own city, and the hero lived on in his kingdom, protecting his subjects with dharma.

Note on the text: Corrected बीरः → वीरः (misprint in Wikisource; ब for व; the critical edition reads cāvasat prītaḥ, a recension variant). Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 22 (3.294.22)

कस्मिंश्चित्तु गते काले स राजा नियतव्रतः । ज्येष्ठायां धर्मचारिण्यां महिष्यां गर्भमादधे ॥

kasmiṃścittu gate kāle sa rājā niyatavrataḥ | jyeṣṭhāyāṃ dharmacāriṇyāṃ mahiṣyāṃ garbhamādadhe

When some time had passed, the king, firm in his vows, conceived a child in his eldest queen, who walked in dharma.

Note on the text: Corrected नियतब्रतः → नियतव्रतः (misprint in Wikisource; ब for व; the critical edition reads niyatavrataḥ) and कगर्भम् → गर्भम् (misprint in Wikisource; stray akshara क; the critical edition reads garbham ādadhe). Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 23 (3.294.23)

राजपुत्र्यास्तु गर्भः स मानव्या भरतर्षभ । व्यवर्धत तदा शुक्ले तारापतिरिवाम्बरे ॥

rājaputryāstu garbhaḥ sa mānavyā bharatarṣabha | vyavardhata tadā śukle tārāpatirivāmbare

That child in the womb of the princess, the daughter of Manu's line, grew then, bull of the Bharatas, as the lord of the stars grows in the sky in the bright fortnight.

Note on the text: Corrected व्यर्धतं → व्यवर्धत (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara व and stray anusvara, which also leave the line a syllable short; the critical edition reads vyavardhata). Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 24 (3.294.24)

प्राप्ते काले तु सुषुवे कन्यां राजीवलोचनाम् । क्रियाश्च तस्या मुदितश्चक्रे च नृपसत्तमः ॥

prāpte kāle tu suṣuve kanyāṃ rājīvalocanām | kriyāśca tasyā muditaścakre ca nṛpasattamaḥ

When the time came she bore a lotus-eyed daughter, and the best of kings joyfully performed the birth rites for her.

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 25 (3.294.25)

सावित्र्या प्रीतया दत्ता सावित्र्या हुतया ह्यपि । सावित्रीत्येव नामास्याश्चक्रुर्विप्रास्तथा पिता ॥

sāvitryā prītayā dattā sāvitryā hutayā hyapi | sāvitrītyeva nāmāsyāścakrurviprāstathā pitā

Because she had been given by Savitri, who was pleased, and through oblations offered with the Savitri verse, the brahmins and her father named her Savitri.

Note on the text: Corrected साव्त्र्या द्दुतया → सावित्र्या हुतया (misprint in Wikisource; dropped vowel sign in the name and द्दु for हु; the critical edition reads sāvitryā hutayā). Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 26 (3.294.26)

सा विग्रहवतीव श्रीर्व्यवर्धत नृपात्मजा । कालेन चापि सा कन्या यौवनस्था बभूव ह ॥

sā vigrahavatīva śrīrvyavardhata nṛpātmajā | kālena cāpi sā kanyā yauvanasthā babhūva ha

The princess grew like Shri herself in bodily form, and in time the maiden reached the bloom of youth.

Note on the text: Corrected श्रीव्यवर्धत → श्रीर्व्यवर्धत (misprint in Wikisource; dropped र् of the visarga sandhi; the critical edition reads śrīr vyavardhata) and यौवनस्ता → यौवनस्था (misprint in Wikisource; त for थ; the critical edition reads yauvanasthā). Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 27 (3.294.27)

तां सुमध्यां पृथुश्रोणीं प्रतिमां काञ्चनीमिव । प्राप्तेयं देवकन्येति दृष्ट्वा संमेनिरे जनाः ॥

tāṃ sumadhyāṃ pṛthuśroṇīṃ pratimāṃ kāñcanīmiva | prāpteyaṃ devakanyeti dṛṣṭvā saṃmenire janāḥ

Seeing her, slender-waisted and broad-hipped like a golden statue, people thought, "A daughter of the gods has come among us."

Note on the text: Corrected रदेवकन्येति → देवकन्येति (misprint in Wikisource; stray akshara र; the critical edition reads devakanyeti). Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 28 (3.294.28)

तां तु पद्मपलाशाक्षीं ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा । न कश्चिद्वरयामास तेजसा प्रतिवारितः ॥

tāṃ tu padmapalāśākṣīṃ jvalantīmiva tejasā | na kaścidvarayāmāsa tejasā prativāritaḥ

But no one sought her hand — lotus-eyed and blazing, as it were, with radiance — for every suitor was held back by her splendour.

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 29 (3.294.29)

अथोपोष्य शिरःस्नाता देवतामभिगम्य सा । हुत्वाग्निं विधिवद्विप्रान्वाचयामास पर्वणि ॥

athopoṣya śiraḥsnātā devatāmabhigamya sā | hutvāgniṃ vidhivadviprānvācayāmāsa parvaṇi

Then, having fasted and bathed her head, she went to the deity, made offerings into the fire according to rule, and had the brahmins recite blessings on the day of the festival.

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 30 (3.294.30)

ततः सुमनसः शेषाः प्रतिगृह्य महात्मनः । पितुः समीपमगमद्देवी श्रीरिव रूपिणी ॥

tataḥ sumanasaḥ śeṣāḥ pratigṛhya mahātmanaḥ | pituḥ samīpamagamaddevī śrīriva rūpiṇī

Then, taking from the great-souled brahmins the flowers that remained from the worship, she went to her father's side, like the goddess Shri in bodily form.

Note on the text: Wikisource numbers this verse "20" (its row label reads 3-294-20a / 3-294-30b) between 29 and 31; it is verse 30 misprinted. Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 31 (3.294.31)

साऽभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ शेषाः पूर्वं निवेद्य च । कृताञ्जलिर्वरारोहा नृपतेः पार्श्वमास्थिता ॥

sā'bhivādya pituḥ pādau śeṣāḥ pūrvaṃ nivedya ca | kṛtāñjalirvarārohā nṛpateḥ pārśvamāsthitā

She bowed at her father's feet, first offered him the flowers, and then, the lovely one, stood at the king's side with palms joined.

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 32 (3.294.32)

यौवनस्थां तु तां दृष्ट्वा स्वां सुतां देवरूपिणीम् । अयाच्यमानां च वरैर्नृपतिर्दुःखितोऽभवत् ॥

yauvanasthāṃ tu tāṃ dṛṣṭvā svāṃ sutāṃ devarūpiṇīm | ayācyamānāṃ ca varairnṛpatirduḥkhito'bhavat

Seeing his daughter, godlike in form, in the bloom of youth and yet not asked for by any suitor, the king grew sad.

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries the previous heading (सावित्री) on.

Verse 33 (3.294.33)

पुत्रि प्रदानकालस्ते न च कश्चिद्वृणोति माम् । स्वयमन्विच्छ भर्तारं गुणैः सदृशमात्मनः ॥

putri pradānakālaste na ca kaścidvṛṇoti mām | svayamanviccha bhartāraṃ guṇaiḥ sadṛśamātmanaḥ

"Daughter, the time has come to give you in marriage, yet no one asks me for you. Seek out for yourself a husband equal to you in virtues."

Verse 34 (3.294.34)

प्रार्थितः पुरुषो यश्च स निवेद्यस्त्वया मम । विमृश्याहं प्रदास्यामि वरय त्वं यथेप्सितम् ॥

prārthitaḥ puruṣo yaśca sa nivedyastvayā mama | vimṛśyāhaṃ pradāsyāmi varaya tvaṃ yathepsitam

"Whatever man you desire, make him known to me. I shall consider and give you to him; choose as you wish."

Verse 35 (3.294.35)

श्रुतं हि धर्मशास्त्रेषु पठ्यमानं द्विजातिभिः । तथा त्वमपिकल्याणि गदतो मे वचः शृणु ॥

śrutaṃ hi dharmaśāstreṣu paṭhyamānaṃ dvijātibhiḥ | tathā tvamapikalyāṇi gadato me vacaḥ śṛṇu

"For I have heard it recited by the twice-born from the books of dharma. Listen, auspicious one, to what I tell you."

Verse 36 (3.294.36)

अप्रदाता पिता वाच्यो वाच्यश्चानुपयन्पतिः । मृते पितरि पुत्रश्च वाच्यो मातुररक्षिता ॥

apradātā pitā vācyo vācyaścānupayanpatiḥ | mṛte pitari putraśca vācyo māturarakṣitā

"A father who does not give his daughter in marriage is to be blamed; a husband who does not go to his wife is to be blamed; and when the father is dead, a son who does not protect his mother is to be blamed."

Verse 37 (3.294.37)

इदं मे वचनं श्रुत्वा भर्तुरन्वेषणे त्वर । देवतानां यथा याच्यो न भवेयं तथा कुरु ॥

idaṃ me vacanaṃ śrutvā bharturanveṣaṇe tvara | devatānāṃ yathā yācyo na bhaveyaṃ tathā kuru

"Having heard these words of mine, make haste in seeking a husband. Act so that I am not called to account before the gods."

Note on the text: Corrected क्षुत्वा → श्रुत्वा (misprint in Wikisource; क्षु for श्रु; the critical edition reads śrutvā) and न्वर → त्वर (misprint in Wikisource; न for त; the critical edition reads tvara).

Verse 38 (3.294.38)

एवमुक्त्वा दुहितरं तथा वृद्धांश्च मन्त्रिणः । व्यादिदेशानुयात्रं च गम्यतां चेत्यचोदयत् ॥

evamuktvā duhitaraṃ tathā vṛddhāṃśca mantriṇaḥ | vyādideśānuyātraṃ ca gamyatāṃ cetyacodayat

Having spoken thus to his daughter and to his old ministers, he ordered the means of travel and urged them: "Go."

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya (the critical edition prints mārkaṇḍeya uvāca here); Wikisource carries राजा on.

Verse 39 (3.294.39)

साऽभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ व्रीडितेव मनस्विनी । पितुर्वचनमाज्ञाय निर्जगामाविचारितम् ॥

sā'bhivādya pituḥ pādau vrīḍiteva manasvinī | piturvacanamājñāya nirjagāmāvicāritam

The high-minded girl bowed at her father's feet, as though abashed, and, accepting her father's word, set out without hesitation.

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries राजा on.

Verse 40 (3.294.40)

सा हैमं रथमास्थाय स्थविरैः सचिवैर्वृता । तपोवनानिरम्याणि राजर्षीणां जगाम ह ॥

sā haimaṃ rathamāsthāya sthaviraiḥ sacivairvṛtā | tapovanāniramyāṇi rājarṣīṇāṃ jagāma ha

Mounting a golden chariot, surrounded by elderly counsellors, she went to the lovely penance-groves of the royal sages.

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries राजा on.

Verse 41 (3.294.41)

मान्यानां तत्र वृद्धानां कृत्वा पादाभिवादनम् । वनानि क्रमशस्तात सर्वाण्येवाभ्यगच्छत ॥

mānyānāṃ tatra vṛddhānāṃ kṛtvā pādābhivādanam | vanāni kramaśastāta sarvāṇyevābhyagacchata

There she bowed at the feet of the venerable elders, and one after another, my son, she went through all the forests.

Note on the text: Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries राजा on.

Verse 42 (3.294.42)

एवं तीर्थेषु सर्वेषु धनोत्सर्गं नृपात्मजा । कुर्वती द्विजमुख्यानां तंतं देशं जगाम ह ॥

evaṃ tīrtheṣu sarveṣu dhanotsargaṃ nṛpātmajā | kurvatī dvijamukhyānāṃ taṃtaṃ deśaṃ jagāma ha

Thus, giving away wealth to the foremost brahmins at all the holy places, the princess went from region to region.

Note on the text: Corrected कुर्वी → कुर्वती (misprint in Wikisource; dropped akshara, which also leaves the line a syllable short; the critical edition reads kurvatī). Speaker: narration by Markandeya; Wikisource carries राजा on.