The Birth of Mahalakshmi as Vedavati in a Royal House

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.16.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । लक्ष्मीं तौ च समाराध्य चोग्रेण तपसा मुने । वरमिष्टं च प्रत्येकं सम्प्रापतुरभीप्सितम्

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | lakṣmīṁ tau ca samārādhya cogreṇa tapasā mune | varamiṣṭaṁ ca pratyekaṁ samprāpaturabhīpsitam

Sri Narayana said: Having propitiated Lakshmi, O sage, with fierce austerity, those two each obtained the desired boon they wished for.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.16.2)

महालक्ष्मीवरेणैव तौ पृथ्वीशौ बभूवतुः । पुण्यवन्तौ पुत्रवन्तौ धर्मध्वजकुशध्वजौ

mahālakṣmīvareṇaiva tau pṛthvīśau babhūvatuḥ | puṇyavantau putravantau dharmadhvajakuśadhvajau

By Mahalakshmi's boon alone, Dharmadhvaja and Kushadhvaja became lords of the earth, virtuous and blessed with children.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.16.3)

कुशध्वजस्य पत्नी च देवी मालावती सती । सा सुषाव च कालेन कमलांशां सुतां सतीम्

kuśadhvajasya patnī ca devī mālāvatī satī | sā suṣāva ca kālena kamalāṁśāṁ sutāṁ satīm

Kushadhvaja's wife, the devoted Malavati, in time gave birth to a virtuous daughter, a partial manifestation of Kamala.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.16.4)

सा च भूयिष्ठकालेन ज्ञानयुक्ता बभूव ह । कृत्वा वेदध्वनिं स्पष्टमुत्तस्थौ सूतिकागृहात्

sā ca bhūyiṣṭhakālena jñānayuktā babhūva ha | kṛtvā vedadhvaniṁ spaṣṭamuttasthau sūtikāgṛhāt

Even at that earliest moment she showed herself possessed of knowledge; uttering the clear sound of the Vedas, she rose up from the birthing-chamber.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.16.5)

वेदध्वनिं सा चकार जातमात्रेण कन्यका । तस्मात्तां च वेदवतीं प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः

vedadhvaniṁ sā cakāra jātamātreṇa kanyakā | tasmāttāṁ ca vedavatīṁ pravadanti manīṣiṇaḥ

As soon as she was born the girl made the sound of the Vedas; therefore the wise call her Vedavati.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.16.6)

जातमात्रेण सुस्नाता जगाम तपसे वनम् । सर्वैर्निषिद्धा यत्नेन नारायणपरायणा

jātamātreṇa susnātā jagāma tapase vanam | sarvairniṣiddhā yatnena nārāyaṇaparāyaṇā

As soon as she was born, having bathed, she set off to the forest for austerity, wholly devoted to Narayana though earnestly forbidden by everyone.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.16.7)

एकमन्वन्तरं चैव पुष्करे च तपस्विनी । अत्युग्रां च तपस्यां च लीलया हि चकार सा

ekamanvantaraṁ caiva puṣkare ca tapasvinī | atyugrāṁ ca tapasyāṁ ca līlayā hi cakāra sā

For one whole Manvantara, at Pushkara, that ascetic performed extremely fierce austerity as if it were mere play.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.16.8)

तथापि पुष्टा न क्लिष्टा नवयौवनसंयुता । सुश्राव सा च सहसा सुवाचमशरीरिणीम्

tathāpi puṣṭā na kliṣṭā navayauvanasaṁyutā | suśrāva sā ca sahasā suvācamaśarīriṇīm

Yet she remained well-nourished, untroubled, and ever in fresh youth; and suddenly she heard a sweet, bodiless voice.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.16.9)

जन्मान्तरे च ते भर्ता भविष्यति हरिः स्वयम् । ब्रह्मादिभिर्दुराराध्यं पतिं लप्स्यसि सुन्दरि

janmāntare ca te bhartā bhaviṣyati hariḥ svayam | brahmādibhirdurārādhyaṁ patiṁ lapsyasi sundari

"In another birth Hari himself shall become your husband; O beauty, you shall obtain as husband one whom even Brahma and the other gods find hard to attain."

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.16.10)

इति श्रुत्वा च सा हृष्टा चकार ह पुनस्तपः । अतीव निर्जनस्थाने पर्वते गन्धमादने

iti śrutvā ca sā hṛṣṭā cakāra ha punastapaḥ | atīva nirjanasthāne parvate gandhamādane

Hearing this, delighted, she again performed austerity, in an utterly solitary place on Mount Gandhamadana.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.16.11)

तत्रैव सुचिरं तप्त्वा विश्वस्य समुवास सा । ददर्श पुरतस्तत्र रावणं दुर्निवारणम्

tatraiva suciraṁ taptvā viśvasya samuvāsa sā | dadarśa puratastatra rāvaṇaṁ durnivāraṇam

Having performed austerity there a long while, she became known to all; there she saw before her the irresistible Ravana.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.16.12)

दृष्ट्वा सातिथिभक्त्या च पाद्यं तस्मै ददौ किल । सुस्वादुभूतं च फलं जलं चापि सुशीतलम्

dṛṣṭvā sātithibhaktyā ca pādyaṁ tasmai dadau kila | susvādubhūtaṁ ca phalaṁ jalaṁ cāpi suśītalam

Seeing him, out of hospitality to a guest, she offered him water for his feet, sweet fruit, and cool water.

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.16.13)

तच्च भुक्त्वा स पापिष्ठश्चोवास तत्समीपतः । चकार प्रश्नमिति तां का त्वं कल्याणि वर्तसे

tacca bhuktvā sa pāpiṣṭhaścovāsa tatsamīpataḥ | cakāra praśnamiti tāṁ kā tvaṁ kalyāṇi vartase

Having eaten it, that most sinful one sat down close beside her and asked her: "Who are you, O auspicious one, dwelling here?"

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.16.14)

तां दृष्ट्वा स वरारोहां पीनश्रोणिपयोधराम् । शरत्पद्मोत्सवास्यां च सस्मितां सुदतीं सतीम्

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā sa varārohāṁ pīnaśroṇipayodharām | śaratpadmotsavāsyāṁ ca sasmitāṁ sudatīṁ satīm

Seeing her, of lovely form, with full hips and breasts, her face like a blooming autumn lotus, smiling, of beautiful teeth, virtuous —

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.16.15)

मूर्च्छामवाप कृपणः कामबाणप्रपीडितः । स करेण समाकृष्य शृङ्गारं कर्तुमुद्यतः

mūrcchāmavāpa kṛpaṇaḥ kāmabāṇaprapīḍitaḥ | sa kareṇa samākṛṣya śṛṅgāraṁ kartumudyataḥ

— that wretch, pierced by the arrow of desire, fell almost into a swoon; seizing her by the hand, he made ready to force himself upon her.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.16.16)

सती चुकोप दृष्ट्वा तं स्तम्भितं च चकार ह । स जडो हस्तपादैश्च किञ्चिद्वक्तुं न च क्षमः

satī cukopa dṛṣṭvā taṁ stambhitaṁ ca cakāra ha | sa jaḍo hastapādaiśca kiñcidvaktuṁ na ca kṣamaḥ

Seeing this, the virtuous one grew angry and rendered him utterly motionless; frozen in hand and foot, he was unable even to speak.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.16.17)

तुष्टाव मनसा देवीं प्रययौ पद्मलोचनाम् । सा तुष्टा तस्य स्तवनं सुकृतं च चकार ह

tuṣṭāva manasā devīṁ prayayau padmalocanām | sā tuṣṭā tasya stavanaṁ sukṛtaṁ ca cakāra ha

In his mind he praised the lotus-eyed goddess, and went on his way; pleased with his praise, so well offered, she was satisfied.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.16.18)

सा शशाप मदर्थे त्वं विनङ्क्ष्यसि सबान्धवः । स्पृष्टाहं च त्वया कामाद् बलं चाप्यवलोकय

sā śaśāpa madarthe tvaṁ vinaṅkṣyasi sabāndhavaḥ | spṛṣṭāhaṁ ca tvayā kāmād balaṁ cāpyavalokaya

She cursed him: "Because of me you shall perish along with your kinsmen; you have touched me out of lust — now behold the fruit of your strength."

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.16.19)

इत्युक्त्वा सा च योगेन देहत्यागं चकार ह । गङ्गायां तां च संन्यस्य स्वगृहं रावणो ययौ

ityuktvā sā ca yogena dehatyāgaṁ cakāra ha | gaṅgāyāṁ tāṁ ca saṁnyasya svagṛhaṁ rāvaṇo yayau

Having said this, she gave up her body by the power of yoga; and Ravana, casting her remains into the Ganga, went to his own home.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.16.20)

अहो किमद्भुतं दृष्टं किं कृतं वानयाधुना । इति सञ्चिन्त्य सञ्चिन्त्य विललाप पुनः पुनः

aho kimadbhutaṁ dṛṣṭaṁ kiṁ kṛtaṁ vānayādhunā | iti sañcintya sañcintya vilalāpa punaḥ punaḥ

"Ah, what a wonder I have seen — what has she now done!" — thinking thus again and again, he lamented over and over.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.16.21)

सा च कालान्तरे साध्वी बभूव जनकात्मजा । सीतादेवीति विख्याता यदर्थे रावणो हतः

sā ca kālāntare sādhvī babhūva janakātmajā | sītādevīti vikhyātā yadarthe rāvaṇo hataḥ

In due course that virtuous woman became the daughter of Janaka, renowned as the goddess Sita, for whose sake Ravana was slain.

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.16.22)

महातपस्विनी सा च तपसा पूर्वजन्मतः । लेभे रामं च भर्तारं परिपूर्णतमं हरिम्

mahātapasvinī sā ca tapasā pūrvajanmataḥ | lebhe rāmaṁ ca bhartāraṁ paripūrṇatamaṁ harim

That great ascetic, by the austerity of her former birth, obtained as her husband Rama, the most complete manifestation of Hari.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.16.23)

सम्प्राप तपसाऽऽराध्य दुराराध्यं जगत्पतिम् । सा रमा सुचिरं रेमे रामेण सह सुन्दरी

samprāpa tapasā''rādhya durārādhyaṁ jagatpatim | sā ramā suciraṁ reme rāmeṇa saha sundarī

By austerity she attained the Lord of the world, hard though he was to attain; and that beautiful Rama sported long together with Rama.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.16.24)

जातिस्मरा न स्मरति तपसश्च क्लमं पुरा । सुखेन तज्जहौ सर्वं दुःखं चापि सुखं फले

jātismarā na smarati tapasaśca klamaṁ purā | sukhena tajjahau sarvaṁ duḥkhaṁ cāpi sukhaṁ phale

Though she remembered her past births, she did not dwell on the hardship of her former austerity; happily she let it all go — even that suffering became joy in its fruit.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.16.25)

नानाप्रकारविभवं चकार सुचिरं सती । सम्प्राप्य सुकुमारं तमतीव नवयौवना

nānāprakāravibhavaṁ cakāra suciraṁ satī | samprāpya sukumāraṁ tamatīva navayauvanā

That virtuous, ever-fresh-youthed one, having attained that most delicate lord, enjoyed manifold splendor for a very long time.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.16.26)

गुणिनं रसिकं शान्तं कान्तं देवमनुत्तमम् । स्त्रीणां मनोज्ञं रुचिरं तथा लेभे यथेप्सितम्

guṇinaṁ rasikaṁ śāntaṁ kāntaṁ devamanuttamam | strīṇāṁ manojñaṁ ruciraṁ tathā lebhe yathepsitam

— virtuous, delightful, tranquil, beloved, the unsurpassed god, pleasing and lovely to women — such a one she obtained, exactly as she had wished.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.16.27)

पितुः सत्यपालनार्थं सत्यसन्धो रघूद्वहः । जगाम काननं पश्चात्कालेन च बलीयसा

pituḥ satyapālanārthaṁ satyasandho raghūdvahaḥ | jagāma kānanaṁ paścātkālena ca balīyasā

Afterward, in order to keep his father's word, the truthful, foremost of the Raghus went to the forest, driven by the force of powerful time.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.16.28)

तस्थौ समुद्रनिकटे सीतया लक्ष्मणेन च । ददर्श तत्र वह्निं च विप्ररूपधरं हरिः

tasthau samudranikaṭe sītayā lakṣmaṇena ca | dadarśa tatra vahniṁ ca viprarūpadharaṁ hariḥ

Hari dwelt near the ocean with Sita and Lakshmana; there he saw Agni, who had assumed the form of a brahmin.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.16.29)

रामं च दुःखितं दृष्ट्वा स च दुःखी बभूव ह । उवाच किञ्चित्सत्येष्टं सत्यं सत्यपरायणः

rāmaṁ ca duḥkhitaṁ dṛṣṭvā sa ca duḥkhī babhūva ha | uvāca kiñcitsatyeṣṭaṁ satyaṁ satyaparāyaṇaḥ

Seeing Rama sorrowful, he too became sorrowful; devoted to truth, he spoke certain true and salutary words.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.16.30)

द्विज उवाच । भगवच्छ्रूयतां राम कालोऽयं यदुपस्थितः । सीताहरणकालोऽयं तवैव समुपस्थितः

dvija uvāca | bhagavacchrūyatāṁ rāma kālo'yaṁ yadupasthitaḥ | sītāharaṇakālo'yaṁ tavaiva samupasthitaḥ

The brahmin said: "O Lord Rama, hear — this time has now arrived; this very time of Sita's abduction has come upon you."

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.16.31)

दैवं च दुर्निवार्यं च न च दैवात्परो बली । जगत्प्रसूं मयि न्यस्य छायां रक्षान्तिकेऽधुना

daivaṁ ca durnivāryaṁ ca na ca daivātparo balī | jagatprasūṁ mayi nyasya chāyāṁ rakṣāntike'dhunā

Fate is irresistible, and none is mightier than fate; entrust the Mother of the world to me, and now keep her shadow-form by you for protection.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.16.32)

दास्यामि सीतां तुभ्यं च परीक्षासमये पुनः । देवैः प्रस्थापितोऽहं च न च विप्रो हुताशनः

dāsyāmi sītāṁ tubhyaṁ ca parīkṣāsamaye punaḥ | devaiḥ prasthāpito'haṁ ca na ca vipro hutāśanaḥ

I shall give Sita back to you at the time of the trial; I have been sent here by the gods — I am not a brahmin, but Fire itself.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.16.33)

रामस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा न प्रकाश्य च लक्ष्मणम् । स्वीकारं वचसश्चक्रे हृदयेन विदूयता

rāmastadvacanaṁ śrutvā na prakāśya ca lakṣmaṇam | svīkāraṁ vacasaścakre hṛdayena vidūyatā

Rama, hearing these words, without revealing it to Lakshmana, accepted the proposal with a heart burning in pain.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.16.34)

वह्निर्योगेन सीताया मायासीतां चकार ह । तत्तुल्यगुणसर्वाङ्गां ददौ रामाय नारद

vahniryogena sītāyā māyāsītāṁ cakāra ha | tattulyaguṇasarvāṅgāṁ dadau rāmāya nārada

Fire, by his power of maya, fashioned an illusory Sita, identical to her in every quality and every limb, and gave her, O Narada, to Rama.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.16.35)

सीतां गृहीत्वा स ययौ गोप्यं वक्तुं निषिध्य च । लक्ष्मणो नैव बुबुधे गोप्यमन्यस्य का कथा

sītāṁ gṛhītvā sa yayau gopyaṁ vaktuṁ niṣidhya ca | lakṣmaṇo naiva bubudhe gopyamanyasya kā kathā

Taking the real Sita, he departed, having enjoined that this be kept secret; even Lakshmana did not learn of it — what then of anyone else knowing the secret?

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.16.36)

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे रामो ददर्श कानकं मृगम् । सीता तं प्रेरयामास तदर्थे यत्नपूर्वकम्

etasminnantare rāmo dadarśa kānakaṁ mṛgam | sītā taṁ prerayāmāsa tadarthe yatnapūrvakam

Meanwhile Rama saw the golden deer in the forest; Sita, for the sake of it, urged him earnestly to go after it.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.16.37)

संन्यस्य लक्ष्मणं रामो जानक्या रक्षणे वने । स्वयं जगाम तूर्णं तं विव्याध सायकेन च

saṁnyasya lakṣmaṇaṁ rāmo jānakyā rakṣaṇe vane | svayaṁ jagāma tūrṇaṁ taṁ vivyādha sāyakena ca

Rama, leaving Lakshmana in the forest for Janaki's protection, himself went swiftly and pierced the deer with an arrow.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.16.38)

लक्ष्मणेति च शब्दं स कृत्वा च मायया मृगः । प्राणांस्तत्याज सहसा पुरो दृष्ट्वा हरिं स्मरन्

lakṣmaṇeti ca śabdaṁ sa kṛtvā ca māyayā mṛgaḥ | prāṇāṁstatyāja sahasā puro dṛṣṭvā hariṁ smaran

The illusory deer cried out "Lakshmana!", and, seeing Hari before it, remembering him even then, at once gave up its life.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.16.39)

मृगदेहं परित्यज्य दिव्यरूपं विधाय च । रत्ननिर्माणयानेन वैकुण्ठं स जगाम ह

mṛgadehaṁ parityajya divyarūpaṁ vidhāya ca | ratnanirmāṇayānena vaikuṇṭhaṁ sa jagāma ha

Casting off the deer's body and assuming a divine form, he went to Vaikuntha in a chariot made of jewels.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.16.40)

वैकुण्ठलोकद्वार्यासीत्किङ्करो द्वारपालयोः । पुनर्जगाम तद्द्वारमादेशाद् द्वारपालयोः

vaikuṇṭhalokadvāryāsītkiṅkaro dvārapālayoḥ | punarjagāma taddvāramādeśād dvārapālayoḥ

He became a servant at the gate of Vaikuntha, under its two gatekeepers; and by their command he went again to that same gate.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.16.41)

अथ शब्दं च सा श्रुत्वा लक्ष्मणेति च विक्लवम् । तं हि सा प्रेरयामास लक्ष्मणं रामसन्निधौ

atha śabdaṁ ca sā śrutvā lakṣmaṇeti ca viklavam | taṁ hi sā prerayāmāsa lakṣmaṇaṁ rāmasannidhau

Then, hearing that anguished cry of "Lakshmana!", she urged Lakshmana to go to Rama's side.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.16.42)

गते च लक्ष्मणे रामं रावणो दुर्निवारणः । सीतां गृहीत्वा प्रययौ लङ्कामेव स्वलीलया

gate ca lakṣmaṇe rāmaṁ rāvaṇo durnivāraṇaḥ | sītāṁ gṛhītvā prayayau laṅkāmeva svalīlayā

The moment Lakshmana had gone to Rama, the irresistible Ravana seized Sita and made off for Lanka with effortless ease.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.16.43)

विषसाद च रामश्च वने दृष्ट्वा च लक्ष्मणम् । तूर्णं च स्वाश्रमं गत्वा सीतां नैव ददर्श सः

viṣasāda ca rāmaśca vane dṛṣṭvā ca lakṣmaṇam | tūrṇaṁ ca svāśramaṁ gatvā sītāṁ naiva dadarśa saḥ

Seeing Lakshmana alone in the forest, Rama grew despondent; hastening to his hermitage, he did not find Sita there.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.16.44)

मूर्च्छां सम्प्राप सुचिरं विललाप भृशं पुनः । पुनः पुनश्च बभ्राम तदन्वेषणपूर्वकम्

mūrcchāṁ samprāpa suciraṁ vilalāpa bhṛśaṁ punaḥ | punaḥ punaśca babhrāma tadanveṣaṇapūrvakam

He fell into a swoon for a long while, and then lamented bitterly again; searching for her again and again, he wandered about.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.16.45)

कालेन प्राप्य तद्वार्तां गोदावरीनदीतटे । सहायान्वानरात्कृत्वा बबन्ध सागरं हरिः

kālena prāpya tadvārtāṁ godāvarīnadītaṭe | sahāyānvānarātkṛtvā babandha sāgaraṁ hariḥ

In time, getting news of her on the bank of the Godavari river, Hari, making the monkeys his allies, bridged the ocean.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.16.46)

लङ्कां गत्वा रघुश्रेष्ठो जघान सायकेन च । कालेन प्राप्य तं हत्वा रावणं बान्धवैः सह

laṅkāṁ gatvā raghuśreṣṭho jaghāna sāyakena ca | kālena prāpya taṁ hatvā rāvaṇaṁ bāndhavaiḥ saha

Going to Lanka, the foremost of the Raghus struck him down with his arrow; in time he slew Ravana together with his kinsmen.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.16.47)

तां च वह्निपरीक्षां च कारयामास सत्वरम् । हुताशस्तत्र काले तु वास्तवीं जानकीं ददौ

tāṁ ca vahniparīkṣāṁ ca kārayāmāsa satvaram | hutāśastatra kāle tu vāstavīṁ jānakīṁ dadau

He caused her to undergo the trial by fire without delay; and Agni, at that time, gave back the real Janaki.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.16.48)

उवाच छाया वह्निं च रामं च विनयान्विता । करिष्यामीति किमहं तदुपायं वदस्व मे

uvāca chāyā vahniṁ ca rāmaṁ ca vinayānvitā | kariṣyāmīti kimahaṁ tadupāyaṁ vadasva me

The shadow-Sita, full of humility, said to Agni and to Rama: "What shall I now do? Tell me the way."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.9.16.49)

श्रीरामाग्नी ऊचतुः त्वं गच्छ तपसे देवि पुष्करं च सुपुण्यदम् । कृत्वा तपस्या तत्रैव स्वर्गलक्ष्मीर्भविष्यसि

śrīrāmāgnī ūcatuḥ tvaṁ gaccha tapase devi puṣkaraṁ ca supuṇyadam | kṛtvā tapasyā tatraiva svargalakṣmīrbhaviṣyasi

Sri Rama and Agni said: "Go, O goddess, for austerity, to Pushkara, the most sacred of places; performing austerity there you shall become the Lakshmi of heaven."

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.9.16.50)

सा च तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रतप्य पुष्करे तपः । दिव्यं त्रिलक्षवर्षं च स्वर्गलक्ष्मीर्बभूव ह

sā ca tadvacanaṁ śrutvā pratapya puṣkare tapaḥ | divyaṁ trilakṣavarṣaṁ ca svargalakṣmīrbabhūva ha

Hearing this word, having performed austerity at Pushkara for three hundred thousand divine years, she became the Lakshmi of heaven.

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.9.16.51)

सा च कालेन तपसा यज्ञकुण्डसमुद्भवा । कामिनी पाण्डवानां च द्रौपदी द्रुपदात्मजा

sā ca kālena tapasā yajñakuṇḍasamudbhavā | kāminī pāṇḍavānāṁ ca draupadī drupadātmajā

In time, through that austerity, she was born from the sacrificial fire-pit — the beloved of the Pandavas, Draupadi, daughter of Drupada.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.9.16.52)

कृते युगे वेदवती कुशध्वजसुता शुभा । त्रेतायां रामपत्नी च सीतेति जनकात्मजा

kṛte yuge vedavatī kuśadhvajasutā śubhā | tretāyāṁ rāmapatnī ca sīteti janakātmajā

In the Krita age she was Vedavati, the auspicious daughter of Kushadhvaja; in the Treta age, as Sita, daughter of Janaka, she became Rama's wife.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.9.16.53)

तच्छाया द्रौपदी देवी द्वापरे द्रुपदात्मजा । त्रिहायणी च सा प्रोक्ता विद्यमाना युगत्रये

tacchāyā draupadī devī dvāpare drupadātmajā | trihāyaṇī ca sā proktā vidyamānā yugatraye

That same shadow-form became the goddess Draupadi, daughter of Drupada, in the Dvapara age; being present through the three ages, she is called "Trihayani."

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.9.16.54)

नारद उवाच । प्रियाः पञ्च कथं तस्या बभूवुर्मुनिपुङ्गव । इति मच्चित्तसन्देहं भञ्ज सन्देहभञ्जन

nārada uvāca | priyāḥ pañca kathaṁ tasyā babhūvurmunipuṅgava | iti maccittasandehaṁ bhañja sandehabhañjana

Narada said: How did she come to have five husbands, O foremost of sages? Dispel this doubt in my mind, O Dispeller of doubts.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.9.16.55)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । लङ्कायां वास्तवी सीता रामं सम्प्राप नारद । रूपयौवनसम्पन्ना छाया च बहुचिन्तया

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | laṅkāyāṁ vāstavī sītā rāmaṁ samprāpa nārada | rūpayauvanasampannā chāyā ca bahucintayā

Sri Narayana said: In Lanka the real Sita was reunited with Rama, O Narada; the shadow-Sita, endowed with beauty and youth, went, full of anxious thought, to austerity.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.9.16.56)

रामाग्न्योराज्ञया तप्तुमुपास्ते शङ्करं परम् । कामातुरा पतिव्यग्रा प्रार्थयन्ती पुनः पुनः

rāmāgnyorājñayā taptumupāste śaṅkaraṁ param | kāmāturā pativyagrā prārthayantī punaḥ punaḥ

Performing austerity by the command of Rama and Agni, she worshipped the supreme Shankara; tormented by longing, anxious for a husband, she prayed to him again and again.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.9.16.57)

पतिं देहि पतिं देहि पतिं देहि त्रिलोचन । पतिं देहि पतिं देहि पञ्चवारं चकार सा

patiṁ dehi patiṁ dehi patiṁ dehi trilocana | patiṁ dehi patiṁ dehi pañcavāraṁ cakāra sā

"Grant me a husband, grant me a husband, grant me a husband, O Three-eyed One; grant me a husband, grant me a husband" — thus she said, five times over.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.9.16.58)

शिवस्तत्प्रार्थनां श्रुत्वा प्रहस्य रसिकेश्वरः । प्रिये तव प्रियाः पञ्च भविष्यन्ति वरं ददौ

śivastatprārthanāṁ śrutvā prahasya rasikeśvaraḥ | priye tava priyāḥ pañca bhaviṣyanti varaṁ dadau

Shiva, the lord of delight, hearing that prayer, laughed and granted the boon: "O beloved, you shall have five husbands."

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.9.16.59)

तेन सा पाण्डवानां च बभूव कामिनी प्रिया । इति ते कथितं सर्वं प्रस्तावं वास्तवं शृणु

tena sā pāṇḍavānāṁ ca babhūva kāminī priyā | iti te kathitaṁ sarvaṁ prastāvaṁ vāstavaṁ śṛṇu

By that boon she became the beloved wife of the five Pandavas; thus I have told you the whole matter — now hear the account as it truly was.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.9.16.60)

अथ सम्प्राप्य लङ्कायां सीतां रामो मनोहराम् । विभीषणाय तां लङ्कां दत्त्वायोध्यां ययौ पुनः

atha samprāpya laṅkāyāṁ sītāṁ rāmo manoharām | vibhīṣaṇāya tāṁ laṅkāṁ dattvāyodhyāṁ yayau punaḥ

Then, having recovered the enchanting Sita in Lanka, and giving Lanka over to Vibhishana, Rama returned once more to Ayodhya.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.9.16.61)

एकादशसहस्राब्दं कृत्वा राज्यं च भारते । जगाम सर्वैर्लोकैश्च सार्धं वैकुण्ठमेव च

ekādaśasahasrābdaṁ kṛtvā rājyaṁ ca bhārate | jagāma sarvairlokaiśca sārdhaṁ vaikuṇṭhameva ca

Having ruled for eleven thousand years in Bharata, he went, together with all his people, to Vaikuntha itself.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.9.16.62)

कमलांशा वेदवती कमलायां विवेश सा । कथितं पुण्यमाख्यानं पुण्यदं पापनाशनम्

kamalāṁśā vedavatī kamalāyāṁ viveśa sā | kathitaṁ puṇyamākhyānaṁ puṇyadaṁ pāpanāśanam

Vedavati, a portion of Kamala, merged at last into Kamala herself; thus has this sacred tale been told, which bestows merit and destroys sin.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.9.16.63)

सततं मूर्तिमन्तश्च वेदाश्चत्वार एव च । सन्ति यस्याश्च जिह्वाग्रे सा च वेदवती श्रुता

satataṁ mūrtimantaśca vedāścatvāra eva ca | santi yasyāśca jihvāgre sā ca vedavatī śrutā

She on whose very tongue-tip the four Vedas ever dwelt, forever embodied — she it is who is known as Vedavati.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.9.16.64)

धर्मध्वजसुताख्यानं निबोध कथयामि ते

dharmadhvajasutākhyānaṁ nibodha kathayāmi te

Now hear the story of Dharmadhvaja's daughter, which I shall tell you.