The Descent of Lakshmi, Ganga, and Sarasvati to Earth

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.9.6.1)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । सरस्वती तु वैकुण्ठे स्वयं नारायणान्तिके । गङ्गाशापेन कलहात्कलया भारते सरित्

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | sarasvatī tu vaikuṇṭhe svayaṁ nārāyaṇāntike | gaṅgāśāpena kalahātkalayā bhārate sarit

Sri Narayana said: Sarasvati herself dwells in Vaikuntha, close beside Narayana; yet, through the curse of Ganga, born of a quarrel, by her own portion she exists in Bharata as a river.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.9.6.2)

पुण्यदा पुण्यरूपा च पुण्यतीर्थस्वरूपिणी । पुण्यवद्भिर्निषेव्या च स्थितिः पुण्यवतां मुने

puṇyadā puṇyarūpā ca puṇyatīrthasvarūpiṇī | puṇyavadbhirniṣevyā ca sthitiḥ puṇyavatāṁ mune

She is the giver of merit, of the very form of merit, the sacred ford of merit itself; O sage, to be served by the meritorious, she is the abode of the meritorious.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.9.6.3)

तपस्विनां तपोरूपा तपसः फलरूपिणी । कृतपापेध्मदाहाय ज्वलदग्निस्वरूपिणी

tapasvināṁ taporūpā tapasaḥ phalarūpiṇī | kṛtapāpedhmadāhāya jvaladagnisvarūpiṇī

To ascetics she is austerity itself, and the very form of the fruit of austerity; to burn away the kindling of committed sin she is like blazing fire.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.9.6.4)

ज्ञानात्सरस्वतीतोये मृता ये मानवा भुवि । तेषां स्थितिश्च वैकुण्ठे सुचिरं हरिसंसदि

jñānātsarasvatītoye mṛtā ye mānavā bhuvi | teṣāṁ sthitiśca vaikuṇṭhe suciraṁ harisaṁsadi

Whatever humans on earth die knowingly in the waters of Sarasvati, their abode is in Vaikuntha, in the assembly of Hari, for a long, long time.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.9.6.5)

भारते कृतपापश्च स्नात्वा तत्र च लीलया । मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो विष्णुलोके वसेच्चिरम्

bhārate kṛtapāpaśca snātvā tatra ca līlayā | mucyate sarvapāpebhyo viṣṇuloke vasecciram

Even one who has sinned in Bharata, merely bathing there, is freed from all sins and dwells for a long time in Vishnu's realm.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.9.6.6)

चातुर्मास्यां पौर्णमास्यामक्षयायां दिनक्षये । व्यतीपाते च ग्रहणेऽन्यस्मिन्पुण्यदिनेऽपि च

cāturmāsyāṁ paurṇamāsyāmakṣayāyāṁ dinakṣaye | vyatīpāte ca grahaṇe'nyasminpuṇyadine'pi ca

During the four holy months, on the full moon, on Akshaya Tritiya, on the new moon, at the yoga of Vyatipata, during an eclipse, or on any other sacred day —

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.9.6.7)

अनुषङ्गेण यः स्नातो हेतुना श्रद्धयापि वा । सारूप्यं लभते नूनं वैकुण्ठे स हरेरपि

anuṣaṅgeṇa yaḥ snāto hetunā śraddhayāpi vā | sārūpyaṁ labhate nūnaṁ vaikuṇṭhe sa harerapi

whoever bathes there, whether by chance, for some purpose, or out of faith, certainly attains, in Vaikuntha, a form like unto Hari's own.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.9.6.8)

सरस्वतीमनुं तत्र मासमेकं च यो जपेत् । महामूर्खः कवीन्द्रश्च स भवेन्नात्र संशयः

sarasvatīmanuṁ tatra māsamekaṁ ca yo japet | mahāmūrkhaḥ kavīndraśca sa bhavennātra saṁśayaḥ

Whoever recites the mantra of Sarasvati there for a full month, even if he was utterly foolish, undoubtedly becomes a foremost poet.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.9.6.9)

नित्यं सरस्वतीतोये यः स्नायान्मुण्डयन्नरः । न गर्भवासं कुरुते पुनरेव स मानवः

nityaṁ sarasvatītoye yaḥ snāyānmuṇḍayannaraḥ | na garbhavāsaṁ kurute punareva sa mānavaḥ

The man who has his head shaved and bathes daily in Sarasvati's water never again dwells in a mother's womb.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.9.6.10)

इत्येवं कथितं किञ्चिद्भारतीगुणकीर्तनम् । सुखदं कामदं सारं भूयः किं श्रोतुमिच्छसि

ityevaṁ kathitaṁ kiñcidbhāratīguṇakīrtanam | sukhadaṁ kāmadaṁ sāraṁ bhūyaḥ kiṁ śrotumicchasi

Thus has some praise of the virtues of Sarasvati been recounted, delightful, wish-fulfilling, and of the very essence; what more do you now wish to hear?

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.9.6.11)

सूत उवाच । नारायणवचः श्रुत्वा नारदो मुनिसत्तमः । पुनः पप्रच्छ सन्देहमिमं शौनक सत्वरम्

sūta uvāca | nārāyaṇavacaḥ śrutvā nārado munisattamaḥ | punaḥ papraccha sandehamimaṁ śaunaka satvaram

Suta said: O Shaunaka, having heard Narayana's words, Narada, foremost among sages, promptly asked once more about this doubt.

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.9.6.12)

नारद उवाच । कथं सरस्वती देवी गङ्गाशापेन भारते । कलया कलहेनैव बभूव पुण्यदा सरित्

nārada uvāca | kathaṁ sarasvatī devī gaṅgāśāpena bhārate | kalayā kalahenaiva babhūva puṇyadā sarit

Narada said: How did the goddess Sarasvati, through Ganga's curse, born purely of a quarrel, come to be, in her portion, that meritorious river in Bharata?

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.9.6.13)

श्रवणे श्रुतिसाराणां वर्धते कौतुकं मम । कथामृतेन मे तृप्तिः केन श्रेयसि तृप्यते

śravaṇe śrutisārāṇāṁ vardhate kautukaṁ mama | kathāmṛtena me tṛptiḥ kena śreyasi tṛpyate

My eagerness to hear the very essence of the scriptures only grows; I am satisfied by the nectar of this story — who indeed would not be satisfied by what is truly good?

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.9.6.14)

कथं शशाप सा गङ्गा पूजितां तां सरस्वतीम् । सा तु सत्त्वस्वरूपा या पुण्यदा शुभदा सदा

kathaṁ śaśāpa sā gaṅgā pūjitāṁ tāṁ sarasvatīm | sā tu sattvasvarūpā yā puṇyadā śubhadā sadā

How did Ganga come to curse that worshipped Sarasvati, who is of the very nature of sattva, and ever the giver of merit and blessing?

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.9.6.15)

तेजस्विनोर्द्वयोर्वादकारणं श्रुतिसुन्दरम् । सुदुर्लभं पुराणेषु तन्मे व्याख्यातुमर्हसि

tejasvinordvayorvādakāraṇaṁ śrutisundaram | sudurlabhaṁ purāṇeṣu tanme vyākhyātumarhasi

The reason for the quarrel between those two splendid goddesses, lovely to hear and rarely found even in the Puranas, please explain to me.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.9.6.16)

श्रीनारायण उवाच । शृणु नारद वक्ष्यामि कथामेतां पुरातनीम् । यस्याः श्रवणमात्रेण सर्वपापात्प्रमुच्यते

śrīnārāyaṇa uvāca | śṛṇu nārada vakṣyāmi kathāmetāṁ purātanīm | yasyāḥ śravaṇamātreṇa sarvapāpātpramucyate

Sri Narayana said: Listen, Narada, I shall tell you this ancient story, by the mere hearing of which one is freed from every sin.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.9.6.17)

लक्ष्मीः सरस्वती गङ्गा तिस्रो भार्या हरेरपि । प्रेम्णा समास्तास्तिष्ठन्ति सततं हरिसन्निधौ

lakṣmīḥ sarasvatī gaṅgā tisro bhāryā harerapi | premṇā samāstāstiṣṭhanti satataṁ harisannidhau

Lakshmi, Sarasvati, and Ganga — these three are the wives of Hari; all three, in mutual love, dwell equally, ever near to Hari.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.9.6.18)

चकार सैकदा गङ्गा विष्णोर्मुखनिरीक्षणम् । सस्मिता च सकामा च सकटाक्षं पुनः पुनः

cakāra saikadā gaṅgā viṣṇormukhanirīkṣaṇam | sasmitā ca sakāmā ca sakaṭākṣaṁ punaḥ punaḥ

One day Ganga gazed upon Vishnu's face, smiling, moved by desire, again and again with glancing looks.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.9.6.19)

विभुर्जहास तद्वक्त्रं निरीक्ष्य च क्षणं तदा । क्षमां चकार तद् दृष्ट्वा लक्ष्मीर्नैव सरस्वती

vibhurjahāsa tadvaktraṁ nirīkṣya ca kṣaṇaṁ tadā | kṣamāṁ cakāra tad dṛṣṭvā lakṣmīrnaiva sarasvatī

The all-pervading Lord, gazing upon her face for that moment, smiled in return; seeing this, Lakshmi bore it patiently — but Sarasvati did not.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.9.6.20)

बोधयामास पद्मा तां सत्त्वरूपा च सस्मिता । क्रोधाविष्टा च सा वाणी न च शान्ता बभूव ह

bodhayāmāsa padmā tāṁ sattvarūpā ca sasmitā | krodhāviṣṭā ca sā vāṇī na ca śāntā babhūva ha

Padma, of sattvic nature and smiling, tried to soothe her; but Sarasvati, overcome with anger, would not be pacified.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.9.6.21)

उवाच वाणी भर्तारं रक्तास्या रक्तलोचना । कुपिता कामवेगेन शश्वत्प्रस्फुरिताधरा

uvāca vāṇī bhartāraṁ raktāsyā raktalocanā | kupitā kāmavegena śaśvatprasphuritādharā

Vani, her face flushed red, her eyes reddened, angered by the surge of desire, her lips trembling constantly, said to her husband —

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.9.6.22)

सरस्वत्युवाच । सर्वत्र समताबुद्धिः सद्भर्तुः कामिनीं प्रति । धर्मिष्ठस्य वरिष्ठस्य विपरीता खलस्य च

sarasvatyuvāca | sarvatra samatābuddhiḥ sadbhartuḥ kāminīṁ prati | dharmiṣṭhasya variṣṭhasya viparītā khalasya ca

Sarasvati said: An equal regard toward all his beloved wives, in every respect — this is the mark of a righteous, worthy husband; its opposite is the mark of a wicked one.

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.9.6.23)

ज्ञातं सौभाग्यमधिकं गङ्गायां ते गदाधर । कमलायां च तत्तुल्यं न च किञ्चिन्मयि प्रभो

jñātaṁ saubhāgyamadhikaṁ gaṅgāyāṁ te gadādhara | kamalāyāṁ ca tattulyaṁ na ca kiñcinmayi prabho

O Gadadhara, I now understand that your favor toward Ganga is greater, and equally so toward Kamala, but toward me, my Lord, there is none at all.

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.9.6.24)

गङ्गायाः पद्मया सार्धं प्रीतिश्चास्ति सुसम्मता । क्षमां चकार तेनेदं विपरीतं हरिप्रिया

gaṅgāyāḥ padmayā sārdhaṁ prītiścāsti susammatā | kṣamāṁ cakāra tenedaṁ viparītaṁ haripriyā

Your affection toward Ganga and Padma is well accepted by them both — that is why Hari's beloved Lakshmi has borne this contrary treatment.

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.9.6.25)

किं जीवनेन मेऽत्रैव दुर्भगायाश्च साम्प्रतम् । निष्कलं जीवनं तस्या या पत्युः प्रेमवञ्चिता

kiṁ jīvanena me'traiva durbhagāyāśca sāmpratam | niṣkalaṁ jīvanaṁ tasyā yā patyuḥ premavañcitā

What use is my life here now, thus made unfortunate? The life of any wife deprived of her husband's love is utterly in vain.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.9.6.26)

त्वां सर्वे सत्त्वरूपं च ये वदन्ति मनीषिणः । ते च मूर्खा न वेदज्ञा न जानन्ति मतिं तव

tvāṁ sarve sattvarūpaṁ ca ye vadanti manīṣiṇaḥ | te ca mūrkhā na vedajñā na jānanti matiṁ tava

Whatever wise men declare you to be of pure sattvic nature — they are fools, they know nothing of the Veda, they do not truly understand your mind.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.9.6.27)

सरस्वतीवचः श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वा तां कोपसंयुताम् । मनसा च समालोच्य स जगाम बहिः सभाम्

sarasvatīvacaḥ śrutvā dṛṣṭvā tāṁ kopasaṁyutām | manasā ca samālocya sa jagāma bahiḥ sabhām

Hearing Sarasvati's words, and seeing her filled with anger, he reflected within his mind and left the assembly.

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.9.6.28)

गते नारायणे गङ्गामुवाच निर्भयं रुषा । वागधिष्ठातृदेवी सा वाक्यं श्रवणदुष्करम्

gate nārāyaṇe gaṅgāmuvāca nirbhayaṁ ruṣā | vāgadhiṣṭhātṛdevī sā vākyaṁ śravaṇaduṣkaram

When Narayana had gone, that goddess who presides over speech, Sarasvati, fearlessly, in anger, said to Ganga words harsh to hear.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.9.6.29)

हे निर्लज्जे हे सकामे स्वामिगर्वं करोषि किम् । अधिकं स्वामिसौभाग्यं विज्ञापयितुमिच्छसि

he nirlajje he sakāme svāmigarvaṁ karoṣi kim | adhikaṁ svāmisaubhāgyaṁ vijñāpayitumicchasi

O shameless one! O desirous one! Why do you take pride in your husband? Do you wish to display your greater good fortune with him?

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.9.6.30)

मानचूर्णं करिष्यामि तवाद्य हरिसन्निधौ । किं करिष्यति ते कान्तो ममैवं कान्तवल्लभे

mānacūrṇaṁ kariṣyāmi tavādya harisannidhau | kiṁ kariṣyati te kānto mamaivaṁ kāntavallabhe

This very day, in Hari's own presence, I shall crush your pride to dust; O beloved of your dear one, what can your beloved do to me?

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.9.6.31)

इत्येवमुक्त्वा गङ्गायाः केशं ग्रहीतुमुद्यता । वारयामास तां पद्मा मध्यदेशं समाश्रिता

ityevamuktvā gaṅgāyāḥ keśaṁ grahītumudyatā | vārayāmāsa tāṁ padmā madhyadeśaṁ samāśritā

Having said this, she moved to seize Ganga by the hair; but Padma, stepping between them, held her back.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.9.6.32)

शशाप वाणी तां पद्मां महाबलवती सती । वृक्षरूपा सरिद्रूपा भविष्यसि न संशयः

śaśāpa vāṇī tāṁ padmāṁ mahābalavatī satī | vṛkṣarūpā saridrūpā bhaviṣyasi na saṁśayaḥ

That mighty and virtuous Vani cursed Padma: You shall without doubt become a tree, and become a river too.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.9.6.33)

विपरीतं ततो दृष्ट्वा किञ्चिन्नो वक्तुमर्हसि । सन्तिष्ठति सभामध्ये यथा वृक्षो यथा सरित्

viparītaṁ tato dṛṣṭvā kiñcinno vaktumarhasi | santiṣṭhati sabhāmadhye yathā vṛkṣo yathā sarit

Having witnessed this unseemly conduct, you have no right to say anything more; you shall stand in the midst of the assembly just as a tree, just as a river stand.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.9.6.34)

शापं श्रुत्वा तु सा देवी न शशाप चुकोप ह । तत्रैव दुःखिता तस्थौ वाणीं धृत्वा करेण च

śāpaṁ śrutvā tu sā devī na śaśāpa cukopa ha | tatraiva duḥkhitā tasthau vāṇīṁ dhṛtvā kareṇa ca

Hearing that curse, the goddess grew angry but did not curse in return; grieved, she stood right there, holding Vani's hand.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.9.6.35)

असन्तुष्टां तु तां दृष्ट्वा कोपप्रस्फुरिताधराम् । उवाच गङ्गा तां देवीं पद्मां चारक्तलोचनाम्

asantuṣṭāṁ tu tāṁ dṛṣṭvā kopaprasphuritādharām | uvāca gaṅgā tāṁ devīṁ padmāṁ cāraktalocanām

Seeing her dissatisfied, her lips trembling with anger, Ganga said to that goddess Padma, whose eyes had turned red —

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.9.6.36)

गङ्गोवाच । त्वमुत्सृज महोग्रां च पद्मे किं मे करिष्यति । दुःशीला मुखरा नष्टा नित्यं वाचालरूपिणी

gaṅgovāca | tvamutsṛja mahogrāṁ ca padme kiṁ me kariṣyati | duḥśīlā mukharā naṣṭā nityaṁ vācālarūpiṇī

Ganga said: O Padma, let go of this fierce one — what can she do to me? She is ill-tempered, garrulous, wayward, ever a chatterbox by nature.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.9.6.37)

वागधिष्ठात्री देवीयं सततं कलहप्रिया । यावती योग्यता चास्या यावती शक्तिरेव च

vāgadhiṣṭhātrī devīyaṁ satataṁ kalahapriyā | yāvatī yogyatā cāsyā yāvatī śaktireva ca

This goddess of speech is ever fond of quarrel; whatever her worth, and whatever her power —

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.9.6.38)

तथा करोतु वादं च मया सार्धं च दुर्मुखी । स्वबलं यन्मम बलं विज्ञापयितुमिच्छति

tathā karotu vādaṁ ca mayā sārdhaṁ ca durmukhī | svabalaṁ yanmama balaṁ vijñāpayitumicchati

let this foul-mouthed one dispute with me according to that; whoever wishes to make known her own strength against mine —

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.9.6.39)

जानन्तु सर्वे ह्युभयोः प्रभावं विक्रमं सति । इत्येवमुक्त्वा सा देवी वाण्यै शापं ददाविति

jānantu sarve hyubhayoḥ prabhāvaṁ vikramaṁ sati | ityevamuktvā sā devī vāṇyai śāpaṁ dadāviti

let all, O virtuous one, know the power and might of us both — having said this, that goddess pronounced this curse upon Vani —

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.9.6.40)

सरिक्त्यरूपा भवतु सा या त्वां च शशाप ह । अधोमर्त्यं सा प्रयातु सन्ति यत्रैव पापिनः

sariktyarūpā bhavatu sā yā tvāṁ ca śaśāpa ha | adhomartyaṁ sā prayātu santi yatraiva pāpinaḥ

Let her who has cursed you likewise become a river; let her go down to the mortal world, to that very place where sinners dwell.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.9.6.41)

कलौ तेषां च पापानि ग्रहीष्यति न संशयः । इत्येवं वचनं श्रुत्वा तां शशाप सरस्वती

kalau teṣāṁ ca pāpāni grahīṣyati na saṁśayaḥ | ityevaṁ vacanaṁ śrutvā tāṁ śaśāpa sarasvatī

In the Kali age, she shall without doubt take upon herself the sins of those sinners — hearing these words, Sarasvati in turn cursed her.

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.9.6.42)

त्वमेव यास्यसि महीं पापिपापं लभिष्यसि । एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र भगवानाजगाम ह

tvameva yāsyasi mahīṁ pāpipāpaṁ labhiṣyasi | etasminnantare tatra bhagavānājagāma ha

You yourself shall go to the earth and take upon yourself the sins of sinners — at that very moment the Lord arrived there.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.9.6.43)

चतुर्भुजश्चतुर्भिश्च पार्षदैश्च चतुर्भुजैः । सरस्वतीं करे धृत्वा वासयामास वक्षसि

caturbhujaścaturbhiśca pārṣadaiśca caturbhujaiḥ | sarasvatīṁ kare dhṛtvā vāsayāmāsa vakṣasi

The four-armed Lord came with four four-armed attendants; taking Sarasvati by the hand, he set her upon his own breast.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.9.6.44)

बोधयामास सर्वज्ञः सर्वज्ञानं पुरातनम् । श्रुत्वा रहस्यं तासां च शापस्य कलहस्य च

bodhayāmāsa sarvajñaḥ sarvajñānaṁ purātanam | śrutvā rahasyaṁ tāsāṁ ca śāpasya kalahasya ca

The all-knowing Lord soothed her with ancient, all-encompassing wisdom; having heard the secret of their curses and their quarrel —

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.9.6.45)

उवाच दुःखितास्ताश्च वाचं सामयिकीं विभुः । श्रीभगवानुवाच । लक्ष्मि त्वं कलया गच्छ धर्मध्वजगृहं शुभे

uvāca duḥkhitāstāśca vācaṁ sāmayikīṁ vibhuḥ | śrībhagavānuvāca | lakṣmi tvaṁ kalayā gaccha dharmadhvajagṛhaṁ śubhe

That all-pervading Lord spoke words fitting for that occasion to those grieving goddesses. The Blessed Lord said: O gracious Lakshmi, go, in your portion, to the house of Dharmadhvaja.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.9.6.46)

अयोनिसम्भवा भूमौ तस्य कन्या भविष्यसि । तत्रैव दैवदोषेण वृक्षत्वं च लभिष्यसि

ayonisambhavā bhūmau tasya kanyā bhaviṣyasi | tatraiva daivadoṣeṇa vṛkṣatvaṁ ca labhiṣyasi

On earth, born not from a womb, you shall become his daughter; and there, through the working of fate, you shall also attain the state of a tree.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.9.6.47)

मदंशस्यासुरस्यैव शङ्खचूडस्य कामिनी । भूत्वा पश्चाच्च मत्पत्नी भविष्यसि न संशयः

madaṁśasyāsurasyaiva śaṅkhacūḍasya kāminī | bhūtvā paścācca matpatnī bhaviṣyasi na saṁśayaḥ

Becoming first the beloved of the demon Shankhachuda, a portion of myself, you shall thereafter, without doubt, become my own wife.

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.9.6.48)

त्रैलोक्यपावनी नाम्ना तुलसीति च भारते । कलया च सरिद्भावं शीघ्रं गच्छ वरानने

trailokyapāvanī nāmnā tulasīti ca bhārate | kalayā ca saridbhāvaṁ śīghraṁ gaccha varānane

Renowned by the name "Tulasi," purifier of the three worlds, you shall dwell in Bharata; O fair one, go swiftly, in your portion, and take the form of a river.

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.9.6.49)

भारतं भारतीशापान्नाम्ना पद्मावती भव । गङ्गे यास्यसि पश्चात्त्वमंशेन विश्वपावनी

bhārataṁ bhāratīśāpānnāmnā padmāvatī bhava | gaṅge yāsyasi paścāttvamaṁśena viśvapāvanī

By Bharati's curse, become renowned in Bharata under the name "Padmavati." O Ganga, you too shall afterward go, in your own portion, as the universal purifier.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.9.6.50)

भारतं भारतीशापात्पापदाहाय पापिनाम् । भगीरथस्य तपसा तेन नीता सुकल्पिते

bhārataṁ bhāratīśāpātpāpadāhāya pāpinām | bhagīrathasya tapasā tena nītā sukalpite

By Bharati's curse you shall go to Bharata, to burn away the sins of sinners; brought there by the austerity of Bhagiratha, in a well-ordained manner —

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.9.6.51)

नाम्ना भागीरथी पूता भविष्यसि महीतले । मदंशस्य समुद्रस्य जाया जायेर्ममाज्ञया

nāmnā bhāgīrathī pūtā bhaviṣyasi mahītale | madaṁśasya samudrasya jāyā jāyermamājñayā

sanctified under the name "Bhagirathi," you shall become renowned upon the face of the earth; by my command you shall become the wife of the Ocean, my own portion.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.9.6.52)

मत्कलांशस्य भूपस्य शन्तनोश्च सुरेश्वरि । गङ्गाशापेन कलया भारतं गच्छ भारति

matkalāṁśasya bhūpasya śantanośca sureśvari | gaṅgāśāpena kalayā bhārataṁ gaccha bhārati

O sovereign goddess, you shall also become the wife of King Shantanu, himself a fraction of my own portion. O Bharati, by Ganga's curse, go, in your portion, to Bharata.

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.9.6.53)

कलहस्य फलं भुङ्क्ष्व सपत्नीभ्यां सहाच्युते । स्वयं च ब्रह्मसदने ब्रह्मणः कामिनी भव

kalahasya phalaṁ bhuṅkṣva sapatnībhyāṁ sahācyute | svayaṁ ca brahmasadane brahmaṇaḥ kāminī bhava

O unchanging one, bear the fruit of this quarrel together with your two co-wives; and become, in Brahma's own abode, the beloved of Brahma himself.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.9.6.54)

गङ्गा यातु शिवस्थानमत्र पद्मैव तिष्ठतु । शान्ता च क्रोधरहिता मद्भक्ता सत्त्वरूपिणी

gaṅgā yātu śivasthānamatra padmaiva tiṣṭhatu | śāntā ca krodharahitā madbhaktā sattvarūpiṇī

Let Ganga go to Shiva's abode; let Padma alone remain here — she who is tranquil, free from anger, devoted to me, and of sattvic nature.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.9.6.55)

महासाध्वी महाभागा सुशीला धर्मचारिणी । यदंशकलया सर्वा धर्मिष्ठाश्च पतिव्रताः

mahāsādhvī mahābhāgā suśīlā dharmacāriṇī | yadaṁśakalayā sarvā dharmiṣṭhāśca pativratāḥ

She is greatly virtuous, most fortunate, of good conduct, and walks the path of dharma; by a portion of her fraction all women become righteous and devoted to their husbands.

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.9.6.56)

शान्तरूपाः सुशीलाश्च प्रतिविश्वेषु पूजिताः । तिस्रो भार्यास्त्रिशीलाश्च त्रयो भृत्याश्च बान्धवाः

śāntarūpāḥ suśīlāśca prativiśveṣu pūjitāḥ | tisro bhāryāstriśīlāśca trayo bhṛtyāśca bāndhavāḥ

Such are worshipped, tranquil and of good conduct, in every world. Three wives, of three differing dispositions, and three servants, and kinsmen too —

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.9.6.57)

ध्रुवं वेदविरुद्धाश्च न ह्येते मङ्गलप्रदाः । स्त्रीपुंवच्च गृहे येषां गृहिणां स्त्रीवशः पुमान्

dhruvaṁ vedaviruddhāśca na hyete maṅgalapradāḥ | strīpuṁvacca gṛhe yeṣāṁ gṛhiṇāṁ strīvaśaḥ pumān

these are certainly contrary to the Veda, and bring no blessing; those householders in whose home the husband is ruled by the wife, as though she herself were the man —

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.9.6.58)

निष्फलं च जन्म तेषामशुभं च पदे पदे । मुखे दुष्टा योनिदुष्टा यस्य स्त्री कलहप्रिया

niṣphalaṁ ca janma teṣāmaśubhaṁ ca pade pade | mukhe duṣṭā yoniduṣṭā yasya strī kalahapriyā

their birth is fruitless, and misfortune attends their every step; the man whose wife is foul of tongue, base of birth, and fond of quarrel —

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.9.6.59)

अरण्यं तेन गन्तव्यं महारण्यं गृहाद्वरम् । जलानां च स्थलानां च फलानां प्राप्तिरेव च

araṇyaṁ tena gantavyaṁ mahāraṇyaṁ gṛhādvaram | jalānāṁ ca sthalānāṁ ca phalānāṁ prāptireva ca

should go instead to the great forest, better than such a home; there the finding of water, of ground to rest, and of fruit —

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.9.6.60)

सततं सुलभा तत्र न तेषां गृह एव च । वरमग्नौ स्थितिर्हिंस्रजन्तूनां सन्निधौ सुखम्

satataṁ sulabhā tatra na teṣāṁ gṛha eva ca | varamagnau sthitirhiṁsrajantūnāṁ sannidhau sukham

is always easy to come by there, unlike in their own home; better to dwell in fire, or happily in the company of savage beasts —

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.9.6.61)

ततोऽपि दुःखं पुंसां च दुष्टस्त्रीसन्निधौ ध्रुवम् । व्याधिज्वाला विषज्वाला वरं पुंसां वरानने

tato'pi duḥkhaṁ puṁsāṁ ca duṣṭastrīsannidhau dhruvam | vyādhijvālā viṣajvālā varaṁ puṁsāṁ varānane

than the misery a man certainly suffers in the company of a wicked wife; O fair one, for men, the burning of disease, or the burning of poison, is preferable —

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.9.6.62)

दुष्टस्त्रीणां मुखज्वाला मरणादतिरिच्यते । पुंसां च स्त्रीजितां चैव भस्मान्तं शौचमध्रुवम्

duṣṭastrīṇāṁ mukhajvālā maraṇādatiricyate | puṁsāṁ ca strījitāṁ caiva bhasmāntaṁ śaucamadhruvam

the burning of a wicked woman's tongue exceeds even death itself; for men ruled over by their wives, purity remains uncertain right up until they are reduced to ashes.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.9.6.63)

यदह्नि कुरुते कर्म न तस्य फलभाग्भवेत् । निन्दितोऽत्र परत्रैव सर्वत्र नरकं व्रजेत्

yadahni kurute karma na tasya phalabhāgbhavet | nindito'tra paratraiva sarvatra narakaṁ vrajet

Whatever deed such a man performs by day yields him no fruit; he is disgraced here, and in the next world too, he goes everywhere only to hell.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.9.6.64)

यशःकीर्तिविहीनो यो जीवन्नपि मृतो हि सः । बह्वीनां च सपत्नीनां नैकत्र श्रेयसे स्थितिः

yaśaḥkīrtivihīno yo jīvannapi mṛto hi saḥ | bahvīnāṁ ca sapatnīnāṁ naikatra śreyase sthitiḥ

He who is bereft of fame and glory, though living, is truly dead; the presence of many co-wives together in one place is never conducive to well-being.

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.9.6.65)

एकभार्यः सुखी नैव बहुभार्यः कदाचन । गच्छ गङ्गे शिवस्थानं ब्रह्मस्थानं सरस्वति

ekabhāryaḥ sukhī naiva bahubhāryaḥ kadācana | gaccha gaṅge śivasthānaṁ brahmasthānaṁ sarasvati

One with a single wife alone is happy; one with many wives is never so. Go, O Ganga, to the abode of Shiva; go, O Sarasvati, to the abode of Brahma.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.9.6.66)

अत्र तिष्ठतु मद्गेहे सुशीला कमलालया । सुसाध्या यस्य पत्नी च सुशीला च पतिव्रता

atra tiṣṭhatu madgehe suśīlā kamalālayā | susādhyā yasya patnī ca suśīlā ca pativratā

Let the good-natured Kamala alone remain here in my house; that man whose wife is tractable, good-natured, and devoted to her husband —

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.9.6.67)

इह स्वर्गे सुखं तस्य धर्मो मोक्षः परत्र च । पतिव्रता यस्य पत्नी स च मुक्तः शुचिः सुखी । जीवन्मृतोऽशुचिर्दुःखी दुःशीलापतिरेव च

iha svarge sukhaṁ tasya dharmo mokṣaḥ paratra ca | pativratā yasya patnī sa ca muktaḥ śuciḥ sukhī | jīvanmṛto'śucirduḥkhī duḥśīlāpatireva ca

for him there is happiness both here and in heaven, and righteousness and liberation in the world beyond; the man whose wife is devoted to him is liberated, pure, and happy — but the husband of an ill-natured wife, though alive, is as good as dead, impure, and wretched.