The Household Life of Chyavana and Sukanya

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.7.3.1)

व्यास उवाच । इति पप्रच्छ तान्सर्वान् राजा चिन्ताकुलस्तथा । पर्यपृच्छत्सुहृद्वर्गं साम्ना चोग्रतयापि च

vyāsa uvāca iti papraccha tānsarvān rājā cintākulastathā paryapṛcchatsuhṛdvargaṁ sāmnā cogratayāpi ca

Vyasa said: Thus the anxious king questioned them all, and questioned his circle of friends too, both gently and sternly.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.7.3.2)

पीड्यमानं जनं वीक्ष्य पितरं दुःखितं तथा । विचिन्त्य शूलभेदं सा सुकन्या चेदमब्रवीत्

pīḍyamānaṁ janaṁ vīkṣya pitaraṁ duḥkhitaṁ tathā vicintya śūlabhedaṁ sā sukanyā cedamabravīt

Seeing the people so afflicted, and her father so distressed, and recalling the incident of piercing with the thorn, Sukanya spoke thus.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.7.3.3)

वने मया पितस्तत्र वल्मीको वीरुधावृतः । क्रीडन्त्या सुदृढो दृष्टश्छिद्रद्वयसमन्वितः

vane mayā pitastatra valmīko vīrudhāvṛtaḥ krīḍantyā sudṛḍho dṛṣṭaśchidradvayasamanvitaḥ

"Father, in the forest, while at play, I saw a firm anthill covered with creepers, having two holes."

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.7.3.4)

तत्र खद्योतवद्दीप्तज्योतीषी वीक्षिते मया । सूच्याविद्धे महाराज पुनः खद्योतशङ्कया

tatra khadyotavaddīptajyotīṣī vīkṣite mayā sūcyāviddhe mahārāja punaḥ khadyotaśaṅkayā

"There I saw two lights shining like fireflies; thinking them fireflies, O great king, I pierced them again with a needle."

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.7.3.5)

जलक्लिन्ना तदा सूची मया दृष्टा पितः किल । हाहेति च श्रुतः शब्दो मन्दो वल्मीकमध्यतः

jalaklinnā tadā sūcī mayā dṛṣṭā pitaḥ kila hāheti ca śrutaḥ śabdo mando valmīkamadhyataḥ

"Then I saw the needle wet, father; and I heard a faint cry of 'Alas!' from within the anthill."

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.7.3.6)

तदाहं विस्मिता राजन्किमेतदिति शङ्कया । न जाने किं मया विद्धं तस्मिन्वल्मीकमण्डले

tadāhaṁ vismitā rājankimetaditi śaṅkayā na jāne kiṁ mayā viddhaṁ tasminvalmīkamaṇḍale

"Then, O king, I was astonished, wondering, 'What is this?' I do not know what I pierced in that mound."

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.7.3.7)

राजा श्रुत्वा तु शर्यातिः सुकन्यावचनं मृदु । मुनेस्तद्धेलनं ज्ञात्वा वल्मीकं क्षिप्रमभ्यगात्

rājā śrutvā tu śaryātiḥ sukanyāvacanaṁ mṛdu munestaddhelanaṁ jñātvā valmīkaṁ kṣipramabhyagāt

Hearing Sukanya's gentle words, King Sharyati, realizing the sage had been wronged, hastened to the anthill.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.7.3.8)

तत्रापश्यत्तपोवृद्धं च्यवनं दुःखितं भृशम् । स्फोटयामास वल्मीकं मुनिदेहावृतं भृशम्

tatrāpaśyattapovṛddhaṁ cyavanaṁ duḥkhitaṁ bhṛśam sphoṭayāmāsa valmīkaṁ munidehāvṛtaṁ bhṛśam

There he saw the sage Chyavana, aged in austerity, greatly distressed; he broke open the anthill that thickly covered the sage's body.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.7.3.9)

प्रणम्य दण्डवद्भूमौ राजा तं भार्गवं प्रति । तुष्टाव विनयोपेतस्तमुवाच कृताञ्जलिः

praṇamya daṇḍavadbhūmau rājā taṁ bhārgavaṁ prati tuṣṭāva vinayopetastamuvāca kṛtāñjaliḥ

Prostrating on the ground like a rod before that descendant of Bhrigu, the king praised him, and with folded hands, full of humility, spoke to him.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.7.3.10)

पुत्र्या मम महाभाग क्रीडन्त्या दुष्कृतं कृतम् । अज्ञानाद्बालया ब्रह्मन् कृतं तत्क्षन्तुमर्हसि

putryā mama mahābhāga krīḍantyā duṣkṛtaṁ kṛtam ajñānādbālayā brahman kṛtaṁ tatkṣantumarhasi

"O greatly fortunate one, my daughter, while at play, committed this wrong; it was done in ignorance by a child, O Brahmin — you should forgive it."

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.7.3.11)

अक्रोधना हि मुनयो भवन्तीति मया श्रुतम् । तस्मात्त्वमपि बालायाः क्षन्तुमर्हसि साम्प्रतम्

akrodhanā hi munayo bhavantīti mayā śrutam tasmāttvamapi bālāyāḥ kṣantumarhasi sāmpratam

"I have heard that sages are free of anger; therefore you too should now forgive this child."

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.7.3.12)

व्यास उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य च्यवनो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । विनयोपनतं दृष्ट्वा राजानं दुःखितं भृशम्

vyāsa uvāca iti śrutvā vacastasya cyavano vākyamabravīt vinayopanataṁ dṛṣṭvā rājānaṁ duḥkhitaṁ bhṛśam

Vyasa said: Hearing these words, and seeing the king so humbly bowed and greatly distressed, Chyavana spoke this reply.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.7.3.13)

च्यवन उवाच । राजन्नाहं कदाचिद्वै करोमि क्रोधमण्वपि । न मयाद्यैव शप्तस्त्वं दुहित्रा पीडने कृते

cyavana uvāca rājannāhaṁ kadācidvai karomi krodhamaṇvapi na mayādyaiva śaptastvaṁ duhitrā pīḍane kṛte

Chyavana said: "O king, I never feel even the slightest anger; nor, though your daughter caused me this injury, have I cursed you today."

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.7.3.14)

नेत्रे पीडा समुत्पन्ना मम चाद्य निरागसः । तेन पापेन जानामि दुःखितस्त्वं महीपते

netre pīḍā samutpannā mama cādya nirāgasaḥ tena pāpena jānāmi duḥkhitastvaṁ mahīpate

"Pain has arisen in my eyes today, though I am blameless; because of that misfortune, I know you too are distressed, O lord of the earth."

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.7.3.15)

अपराधं परं कृत्वा देवीभक्तस्य को जनः । सुखं लभेत यदपि भवेत् त्राता शिवः स्वयम्

aparādhaṁ paraṁ kṛtvā devībhaktasya ko janaḥ sukhaṁ labheta yadapi bhavet trātā śivaḥ svayam

"Having committed a grave offense against a devotee of the Devi, what person could find happiness — even if Shiva himself were their protector?"

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.7.3.16)

किं करोमि महीपाल नेत्रहीनो जरावृतः । अन्धस्य परिचर्यां च कः करिष्यति पार्थिव

kiṁ karomi mahīpāla netrahīno jarāvṛtaḥ andhasya paricaryāṁ ca kaḥ kariṣyati pārthiva

"What am I to do now, O lord of the earth, blind and overcome by old age? Who will care for a blind man, O king?"

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.7.3.17)

राजोवाच - सेवका बहवः सेवां करिष्यन्ति तवानिशम् । क्षमस्व मुनिशार्दूल स्वल्पक्रोधा हि तापसाः

rājovāca - sevakā bahavaḥ sevāṁ kariṣyanti tavāniśam kṣamasva muniśārdūla svalpakrodhā hi tāpasāḥ

The king said: "Many servants will attend upon you day and night. Forgive us, O tiger among sages; ascetics are known to be of very little anger."

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.7.3.18)

च्यवन उवाच । अन्धोऽहं निर्जनो राजंस्तपस्तप्तुं कथं क्षमः । त्वदीयाः सेवकाः किं ते करिष्यन्ति मम प्रियम्

cyavana uvāca andho'haṁ nirjano rājaṁstapastaptuṁ kathaṁ kṣamaḥ tvadīyāḥ sevakāḥ kiṁ te kariṣyanti mama priyam

Chyavana said: "Blind and alone as I am, O king, how am I able to perform austerity? What good would your servants do for me?"

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.7.3.19)

क्षमापयसि चेन्मां त्वं कुरु मे वचनं नृप । देहि मे परिचर्यार्थं कन्यां कमललोचनाम्

kṣamāpayasi cenmāṁ tvaṁ kuru me vacanaṁ nṛpa dehi me paricaryārthaṁ kanyāṁ kamalalocanām

"If you wish to be forgiven by me, then do as I ask, O king: give me your lotus-eyed daughter to attend on me."

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.7.3.20)

तुष्येऽनया महाराज पुत्र्या तव महामते । करिष्यामि तपश्चाहं सा मे सेवां करिष्यति

tuṣye'nayā mahārāja putryā tava mahāmate kariṣyāmi tapaścāhaṁ sā me sevāṁ kariṣyati

"I shall be satisfied with this daughter of yours, O great and wise king; I shall perform my austerity, and she shall serve me."

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.7.3.21)

एवं कृते सुखं मे स्यात्तव चैव भविष्यति । सन्तुष्टे मयि राजेन्द्र सैनिकानां न संशयः

evaṁ kṛte sukhaṁ me syāttava caiva bhaviṣyati santuṣṭe mayi rājendra sainikānāṁ na saṁśayaḥ

"If this is done, happiness shall come to me and to you as well; and when I am satisfied, O lord of kings, there is no doubt your soldiers too shall be relieved."

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.7.3.22)

विचिन्त्य मनसा भूप कन्यादानं समाचर । न चात्र दूषणं किञ्चित्तापसोऽहं यतव्रतः

vicintya manasā bhūpa kanyādānaṁ samācara na cātra dūṣaṇaṁ kiñcittāpaso'haṁ yatavrataḥ

"Consider this in your mind, and give me your daughter; there is no fault in this at all, for I am an ascetic bound by strict vows."

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.7.3.23)

व्यास उवाच । शर्यातिर्वचनं श्रुत्वा मुनेश्चिन्तातुरोऽभवत् । न दास्येऽप्यथवा दास्ये किञ्चिन्नोवाच भारत

vyāsa uvāca śaryātirvacanaṁ śrutvā muneścintāturo'bhavat na dāsye'pyathavā dāsye kiñcinnovāca bhārata

Vyasa said: Hearing the sage's words, Sharyati became filled with anxiety; "Shall I give her, or not?" — he said nothing at all, O descendant of Bharata.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.7.3.24)

कथमन्धाय वृद्धाय कुरूपाय सुतामिमाम् । देवकन्योपमां दत्त्वा सुखी स्यामात्मसम्भवाम्

kathamandhāya vṛddhāya kurūpāya sutāmimām devakanyopamāṁ dattvā sukhī syāmātmasambhavām

[He thought:] "How could I, having given this daughter of mine — comparable to a celestial maiden — to a blind, aged, and ugly man, ever be happy?"

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.7.3.25)

को वात्मनः सुखार्थाय पुत्र्याः संसारजं सुखम् । हरतेऽल्पमतिः पापो जानन्नपि शुभाशुभम्

ko vātmanaḥ sukhārthāya putryāḥ saṁsārajaṁ sukham harate'lpamatiḥ pāpo jānannapi śubhāśubham

"What foolish and sinful person, even knowing right from wrong, would rob his daughter of the happiness of a proper worldly life for the sake of his own comfort?"

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.7.3.26)

प्राप्य सा च्यवनं सुभ्रूः पञ्चबाणशरार्दिता । अन्धं वृद्धं पतिं प्राप्य कथं कालं नयिष्यति

prāpya sā cyavanaṁ subhrūḥ pañcabāṇaśarārditā andhaṁ vṛddhaṁ patiṁ prāpya kathaṁ kālaṁ nayiṣyati

"Having obtained Chyavana — she, fair-browed and tormented by the five arrows of the love-god — how will she pass her time, having gained a blind, aged husband?"

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.7.3.27)

यौवने दुर्जयः कामो विशेषेण सुरूपया । आत्मतुल्यं पतिं प्राप्य किमु वृद्धं विलोचनम्

yauvane durjayaḥ kāmo viśeṣeṇa surūpayā ātmatulyaṁ patiṁ prāpya kimu vṛddhaṁ vilocanam

"In youth, desire is hard to conquer, especially for one so beautiful — she deserves a husband equal to herself, not an aged, sightless one."

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.7.3.28)

गौतमं तापसं प्राप्य रूपयौवनसंयुता । अहल्या वासवेनाशु वञ्चिता वरवर्णिनी

gautamaṁ tāpasaṁ prāpya rūpayauvanasaṁyutā ahalyā vāsavenāśu vañcitā varavarṇinī

"Ahalya, endowed with beauty and youth, though she had the ascetic Gautama as husband, was quickly deceived by Indra — that woman of excellent form."

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.7.3.29)

शप्ता च पतिना पश्चाज्ज्ञात्वा धर्मविपर्ययम् । तस्माद्भवतु मे दुःखं न ददामि सुकन्यकाम्

śaptā ca patinā paścājjñātvā dharmaviparyayam tasmādbhavatu me duḥkhaṁ na dadāmi sukanyakām

"And afterward she was cursed by her husband on learning of that breach of dharma. Therefore let sorrow be mine — I shall not give away my dear Sukanya."

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.7.3.30)

इति सञ्चिन्त्य शर्यातिर्विमना स्वगृहं ययौ । सचिवांश्च समादाय मन्त्रं चक्रेऽतिदुःखितः

iti sañcintya śaryātirvimanā svagṛhaṁ yayau sacivāṁśca samādāya mantraṁ cakre'tiduḥkhitaḥ

Thinking thus, Sharyati, troubled in mind, went to his own home; and gathering his ministers, greatly distressed, he took counsel.

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.7.3.31)

भो मन्त्रिणो ब्रुवन्त्वद्य किं कर्तव्यं मयाधुना । पुत्री देयाथ विप्राय भोक्तव्यं दुःखमेव वा

bho mantriṇo bruvantvadya kiṁ kartavyaṁ mayādhunā putrī deyātha viprāya bhoktavyaṁ duḥkhameva vā

"O ministers, tell me now what I should do — should I give my daughter to the Brahmin, or should I simply endure this sorrow?"

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.7.3.32)

विचारयध्वं मिलिता हितं स्यान्मम वै कथम् । मन्त्रिण ऊचुः - किं ब्रूमोऽस्मिन्महाराज सङ्कटेऽतिदुरासदे

vicārayadhvaṁ militā hitaṁ syānmama vai katham mantriṇa ūcuḥ - kiṁ brūmo'sminmahārāja saṅkaṭe'tidurāsade

"Deliberate together on what would truly be for my good." The ministers said: "What can we say, O great king, in this calamity so hard to resolve?"

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.7.3.33)

दुर्भगाय सुकन्यैषा कथं देयातिसुन्दरी । व्यास उवाच । तदा चिन्ताकुलं वीक्ष्य पितरं मन्त्रिणस्तदा

durbhagāya sukanyaiṣā kathaṁ deyātisundarī vyāsa uvāca tadā cintākulaṁ vīkṣya pitaraṁ mantriṇastadā

"How can this exceedingly beautiful Sukanya be given to one so unfortunate?" Vyasa said: Then, seeing her father so troubled with anxiety, and the ministers too —

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.7.3.34)

सुकन्या त्विङ्गितं ज्ञात्वा प्रहस्येदमुवाच ह । पितः कस्माद्भवानद्य चिन्ताव्याकुलितेन्द्रियः

sukanyā tviṅgitaṁ jñātvā prahasyedamuvāca ha pitaḥ kasmādbhavānadya cintāvyākulitendriyaḥ

— Sukanya, understanding the situation, spoke smilingly: "Father, why are your senses so troubled with anxiety today?"

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.7.3.35)

मत्कृते दुःखसंविग्नो विषण्णवदनोऽसि वै । अहं गत्वा मुनिं तत्र समाश्वास्य भयार्दितम्

matkṛte duḥkhasaṁvigno viṣaṇṇavadano'si vai ahaṁ gatvā muniṁ tatra samāśvāsya bhayārditam

"You are agitated with sorrow and downcast of face on my account. I shall go there myself and comfort the sage, who is tormented by fear —"

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.7.3.36)

करिष्यामि प्रसन्नं तमात्मदानेन वै पितः । इति राजा वचः श्रुत्वा भाषितं यत्सुकन्यया

kariṣyāmi prasannaṁ tamātmadānena vai pitaḥ iti rājā vacaḥ śrutvā bhāṣitaṁ yatsukanyayā

"— and shall win him over by offering myself, father." Hearing these words that Sukanya had spoken —

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.7.3.37)

तामुवाच प्रसन्नात्मा सचिवानां च शृण्वताम् । कथं पुत्रि त्वमन्धस्य परिचर्यां वनेऽबला

tāmuvāca prasannātmā sacivānāṁ ca śṛṇvatām kathaṁ putri tvamandhasya paricaryāṁ vane'balā

— the king, his heart somewhat eased, said to her, in the hearing of his ministers: "How, my daughter, weak woman that you are, could you attend upon a blind man in the forest —"

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.7.3.38)

करिष्यसि जरार्तस्य क्रोधनस्य विशेषतः । कथमन्धाय चानेन रूपेण रतिसन्निभाम्

kariṣyasi jarārtasya krodhanasya viśeṣataḥ kathamandhāya cānena rūpeṇa ratisannibhām

"— one worn by old age, and especially prone to anger? And how could I give one of such beauty, resembling the goddess of love herself, to a blind man —"

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.7.3.39)

ददामि जरया ग्रस्तदेहाय सुखवाञ्छया । पित्रा पुत्री प्रदातव्या वयोज्ञातिबलाय च

dadāmi jarayā grastadehāya sukhavāñchayā pitrā putrī pradātavyā vayojñātibalāya ca

"— whose body is seized by old age, merely for the sake of comfort? A father should give his daughter to one suited in age, family, and strength —"

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.7.3.40)

धनधान्यसमृद्धाय नाधनाय कदाचन । क्व ते रूपं विशालाक्षि क्वासौ वृद्धो वनेचरः

dhanadhānyasamṛddhāya nādhanāya kadācana kva te rūpaṁ viśālākṣi kvāsau vṛddho vanecaraḥ

"— one prosperous in wealth and grain, never to a man without means. Where is your beauty, O wide-eyed one, and where is that aged forest-dweller?"

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.7.3.41)

कथं देया मया पुत्री तस्मै नातिवराय च । उटजे नियतं वासो यस्य नित्यं मनोहरे

kathaṁ deyā mayā putrī tasmai nātivarāya ca uṭaje niyataṁ vāso yasya nityaṁ manohare

"How could I give my daughter to one not truly a fitting groom — whose fixed dwelling is forever a mere hermit's hut, however charming it may be?"

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.7.3.42)

कथमम्बुजपत्राक्षि कल्पनीयो मया तव । मरणं मे वरं प्राप्तं सैनिकानां तथैव च

kathamambujapatrākṣi kalpanīyo mayā tava maraṇaṁ me varaṁ prāptaṁ sainikānāṁ tathaiva ca

"How, O lotus-eyed one, could I possibly consider such a match for you? Better that death should come to me and to my soldiers as well —"

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.7.3.43)

न ते प्रदानमन्धाय रोचते पिकभाषिणि । भवितव्यं भवत्येव धैर्यं नैव त्यजाम्यहम्

na te pradānamandhāya rocate pikabhāṣiṇi bhavitavyaṁ bhavatyeva dhairyaṁ naiva tyajāmyaham

"— than to give you to a blind man, O sweet-voiced one, for that does not please me. Whatever must happen will happen — yet I shall not abandon my resolve."

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.7.3.44)

सुस्थिरा भव सुश्रोणि न दास्येऽन्धाय कर्हिचित् । राज्यं तिष्ठतु वा यातु देहोऽयं च तथैव मे

susthirā bhava suśroṇi na dāsye'ndhāya karhicit rājyaṁ tiṣṭhatu vā yātu deho'yaṁ ca tathaiva me

"Be steadfast, O fair one; I shall never give you to a blind man — whether my kingdom stands or falls, and this body of mine likewise."

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.7.3.45)

न त्वां दास्याम्यहं तस्मै नेत्रहीनाय बालिके । सुकन्या तं तदा प्राह श्रुत्व तद्वचनं पितुः

na tvāṁ dāsyāmyahaṁ tasmai netrahīnāya bālike sukanyā taṁ tadā prāha śrutva tadvacanaṁ pituḥ

"I will not give you to that sightless man, my child." Then, having heard her father's words, Sukanya spoke to him —

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.7.3.46)

प्रसन्नवदनातीव स्नेहयुक्तमिदं वचः । सुकन्योवाच - न मे चिन्ता पितः कार्या देहि मां मुनयेऽधुना

prasannavadanātīva snehayuktamidaṁ vacaḥ sukanyovāca - na me cintā pitaḥ kāryā dehi māṁ munaye'dhunā

— with an exceedingly cheerful face, these words full of affection. Sukanya said: "Father, you need not worry for me at all; give me now to the sage."

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.7.3.47)

सुखं भवतु सर्वेषां लोकानां मत्कृतेन हि । सेवयिष्यामि सन्तुष्टा पतिं परमपावनम्

sukhaṁ bhavatu sarveṣāṁ lokānāṁ matkṛtena hi sevayiṣyāmi santuṣṭā patiṁ paramapāvanam

"Let happiness come to all the worlds through my act; I shall gladly serve my husband, who is the very embodiment of purity —"

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.7.3.48)

भक्त्या परमया चापि वृद्धं च विजने वने । सतीधर्मपरा चाहं चरिष्यामि सुसम्मतम्

bhaktyā paramayā cāpi vṛddhaṁ ca vijane vane satīdharmaparā cāhaṁ cariṣyāmi susammatam

"— with the highest devotion, aged as he is, even in the solitary forest; devoted to the duty of a chaste wife, I shall live in a manner well approved."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.7.3.49)

न भोगेच्छास्ति मे तात स्वस्थं चित्तं ममानघ । व्यास उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा भाषितं तस्या मन्त्रिणो विस्मयं गताः

na bhogecchāsti me tāta svasthaṁ cittaṁ mamānagha vyāsa uvāca tacchrutvā bhāṣitaṁ tasyā mantriṇo vismayaṁ gatāḥ

"I have no desire for worldly pleasures, father; my mind is at peace, O sinless one." Vyasa said: Hearing her words, the ministers were struck with wonder.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.7.3.50)

राजा च परमप्रीतो जगाम मुनिसन्निधौ । गत्वा प्रणम्य शिरसा तमुवाच तपोधनम्

rājā ca paramaprīto jagāma munisannidhau gatvā praṇamya śirasā tamuvāca tapodhanam

And the king, greatly pleased, went into the presence of the sage; going there and bowing his head, he spoke to that treasury of austerity.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.7.3.51)

स्वामिन् गृहाण पुत्रीं मे सेवार्थं विधिवद्विभो । इत्युक्त्वासौ ददौ पुत्रीं विवाहविधिना नृपः

svāmin gṛhāṇa putrīṁ me sevārthaṁ vidhivadvibho ityuktvāsau dadau putrīṁ vivāhavidhinā nṛpaḥ

"O lord, accept my daughter in due form, for your service, O mighty one." Having said this, the king gave his daughter according to the marriage rites.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.7.3.52)

प्रतिगृह्य मुनिः कन्यां प्रसन्नो भार्गवोऽभवत् । पारिबर्हं न जग्राह दीयमानं नृपेण ह

pratigṛhya muniḥ kanyāṁ prasanno bhārgavo'bhavat pāribarhaṁ na jagrāha dīyamānaṁ nṛpeṇa ha

Accepting the maiden, the sage Bhargava was pleased; but he did not accept the dowry that the king offered him.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.7.3.53)

कन्यामेवाग्रहीत्कामं परिचर्यार्थमात्मनः । प्रसन्नेऽस्मिन्मुनौ जातं सैनिकानां सुखं तदा

kanyāmevāgrahītkāmaṁ paricaryārthamātmanaḥ prasanne'sminmunau jātaṁ sainikānāṁ sukhaṁ tadā

He took only the maiden, for the sake of his own service; and with the sage now satisfied, relief came at once to all the soldiers.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.7.3.54)

राज्ञश्च परमाह्लादः सञ्जातस्तत्क्षणादपि । दत्त्वा पुत्रीं यदा राजा गमनाय गृहं प्रति

rājñaśca paramāhlādaḥ sañjātastatkṣaṇādapi dattvā putrīṁ yadā rājā gamanāya gṛhaṁ prati

And great joy arose in the king that very moment as well. When the king, having given away his daughter, was about to return home —

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.7.3.55)

मतिं चकार तवङ्गी तदोवाच नृपं सुता । सुकन्योवाच - गृहाण मम वासांसि भूषणानि च मे पितः

matiṁ cakāra tavaṅgī tadovāca nṛpaṁ sutā sukanyovāca - gṛhāṇa mama vāsāṁsi bhūṣaṇāni ca me pitaḥ

— that slender girl made up her mind, and his daughter then spoke to the king. Sukanya said: "Take back my garments and my ornaments, father —"

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.7.3.56)

वल्कलं परिधानाय प्रयच्छाजिनमुत्तमम् । वेषं तु मुनिपत्नीनां कृत्वा तपसि सेवनम्

valkalaṁ paridhānāya prayacchājinamuttamam veṣaṁ tu munipatnīnāṁ kṛtvā tapasi sevanam

"— and give me instead bark garments to wear, and a fine deerskin. Taking on the appearance of the wives of sages, I shall serve him in his austerity."

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.7.3.57)

करिष्यामि तथा तात यथा ते कीर्तिरच्युता । भविष्यति भुवः पृष्ठे तथा स्वर्गे रसातले

kariṣyāmi tathā tāta yathā te kīrtiracyutā bhaviṣyati bhuvaḥ pṛṣṭhe tathā svarge rasātale

"I shall act, father, in such a way that your fame shall be undying — both here on the surface of the earth, and in heaven, and in the netherworld."

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.7.3.58)

परलोकसुखायाहं चरिष्यामि दिवानिशम् । दत्त्वान्धाय च वृद्धाय सुन्दरीं युवतीं तु माम्

paralokasukhāyāhaṁ cariṣyāmi divāniśam dattvāndhāya ca vṛddhāya sundarīṁ yuvatīṁ tu mām

"For the happiness of the world beyond I shall live, day and night, though you have given me, a beautiful young woman, to a blind and aged man."

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.7.3.59)

चिन्ता त्वया न कर्तव्या शीलनाशसमुद्भवा । अरुन्धती वसिष्ठस्य धर्मपत्नी यथा भुवि

cintā tvayā na kartavyā śīlanāśasamudbhavā arundhatī vasiṣṭhasya dharmapatnī yathā bhuvi

"You need not fear that my virtue will be lost. Just as Arundhati, the righteous wife of Vasishtha, is renowned on earth —"

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.7.3.60)

तथैवाहं भविष्यामि नात्र कार्या विचारणा । अनसूया यथा साध्वी भार्यात्रेः प्रथिता भुवि

tathaivāhaṁ bhaviṣyāmi nātra kāryā vicāraṇā anasūyā yathā sādhvī bhāryātreḥ prathitā bhuvi

"— so too shall I become; have no doubt about this. Just as the virtuous Anasuya, wife of Atri, is celebrated on earth —"

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.7.3.61)

तथैवाहं भविष्यामि पुत्री कीर्तिकरी तव । सुकन्यावचनं श्रुत्वा राजा परमधर्मवित्

tathaivāhaṁ bhaviṣyāmi putrī kīrtikarī tava sukanyāvacanaṁ śrutvā rājā paramadharmavit

"— so shall I too become, your daughter, the bringer of your fame." Hearing Sukanya's words, the king, that supreme knower of dharma —

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.7.3.62)

दत्त्वाजिनं रुरोदाशु वीक्ष्य तां चारुहासिनीम् । त्यक्त्वा भूषणवासांसि मुनिवेषधरां सुताम्

dattvājinaṁ rurodāśu vīkṣya tāṁ cāruhāsinīm tyaktvā bhūṣaṇavāsāṁsi muniveṣadharāṁ sutām

— having given her the deerskin, wept aloud at once, seeing his sweetly-smiling daughter, who had cast off her ornaments and fine garments and taken on the guise of a sage's wife.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.7.3.63)

विवर्णवदनो भूत्वा स्थितस्तत्रैव पार्थिवः । राज्ञ्यः सर्वाः सुतां दृष्ट्वा वल्कलाजिनधारिणीम्

vivarṇavadano bhūtvā sthitastatraiva pārthivaḥ rājñyaḥ sarvāḥ sutāṁ dṛṣṭvā valkalājinadhāriṇīm

His face grown pale, the king stood there rooted to the spot. All the queens, seeing the princess clad in bark-cloth and deerskin —

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.7.3.64)

रुरुदुर्भृशशोकार्ता वेपमाना इवाभवन् । तामापृच्छ्य महीपालो मन्त्रिभिः परिवारितः । ययौ स्वनगरं राजन् मुक्त्वा पुत्रीं शुचार्पिताम्

rurudurbhṛśaśokārtā vepamānā ivābhavan tāmāpṛcchya mahīpālo mantribhiḥ parivāritaḥ yayau svanagaraṁ rājan muktvā putrīṁ śucārpitām

— wept, overcome with intense grief, and seemed to tremble. Having taken leave of her, the king, surrounded by his ministers, O king, departed for his own city, leaving his sorrowing daughter behind.