The Tale of Krikala and Sukala: The Husband as the Supreme Tirtha

Verse 1 (padma.2.41.1)

वेन उवाच- पुत्रो भार्या कथं तीर्थं पितामाता कथं वद । गुरुश्चैव कथं तीर्थं तन्मे विस्तरतो वद

vena uvāca- putro bhāryā kathaṁ tīrthaṁ pitāmātā kathaṁ vada guruścaiva kathaṁ tīrthaṁ tanme vistarato vada

Vena said: 'How is a son a tirtha? How is a wife a tirtha? How are father and mother so, tell me; and how a guru too is a tirtha - tell me this in full.'

Verse 2 (padma.2.41.2)

श्रीविष्णुरुवाच- अस्ति वाराणसी रम्या गंगायुक्ता महापुरी । तस्यां वसति वैश्यैकः कृकलो नाम नामतः

śrīviṣṇuruvāca- asti vārāṇasī ramyā gaṁgāyuktā mahāpurī tasyāṁ vasati vaiśyaikaḥ kṛkalo nāma nāmataḥ

Shri Vishnu said: 'There is a delightful great city named Varanasi, joined with the Ganga; there dwelt a vaishya named Krikala.'

Verse 3 (padma.2.41.3)

तस्य भार्या महासाध्वी पतिव्रतपरायणा । धर्माचारपरा नित्यं सा वै पतिपरायणा

tasya bhāryā mahāsādhvī pativrataparāyaṇā dharmācāraparā nityaṁ sā vai patiparāyaṇā

'His wife was a most virtuous woman, devoted to her husband, ever absorbed in righteous conduct, wholly given to her husband.'

Verse 4 (padma.2.41.4)

सुकला नाम पुण्यांगी सुपुत्रा चारुमंगला । सत्यंवदा सदा शुद्धा प्रियाकारा प्रियप्रिया

sukalā nāma puṇyāṁgī suputrā cārumaṁgalā satyaṁvadā sadā śuddhā priyākārā priyapriyā

'Named Sukala, of holy form, blessed with good sons, lovely and auspicious; ever truthful, pure, pleasing in her ways, beloved of her beloved.'

Verse 5 (padma.2.41.5)

एवंगुणैः समायुक्ता सुभगा चारुकारिणी । स वैश्य उत्तमो नाना धर्मज्ञो ज्ञानवान्गुणी

evaṁguṇaiḥ samāyuktā subhagā cārukāriṇī sa vaiśya uttamo nānā dharmajño jñānavānguṇī

'Endowed with such virtues, fortunate, of lovely conduct - that vaishya too was excellent, versed in many things, a knower of dharma, wise, and virtuous.'

Verse 6 (padma.2.41.6)

पुराणे श्रौतधर्मे च सदा श्रवणतत्परः । तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन बहुपुण्यप्रदायकम्

purāṇe śrautadharme ca sadā śravaṇatatparaḥ tīrthayātrāprasaṁgena bahupuṇyapradāyakam

'He was ever devoted to hearing the Puranas and the dharma of the scriptures. On the occasion of a pilgrimage, which bestows abundant merit,'

Verse 7 (padma.2.41.7)

श्रद्धया निर्गतो यात्रां तीर्थानां पुण्यमंगलाम् । ब्राह्मणानां प्रसंगेन सार्थवाहेन तेन च

śraddhayā nirgato yātrāṁ tīrthānāṁ puṇyamaṁgalām brāhmaṇānāṁ prasaṁgena sārthavāhena tena ca

'—he set out with faith on a journey to the holy, auspicious tirthas, together with brahmins and with that caravan-leader.'

Verse 8 (padma.2.41.8)

प्रस्थितो धर्ममार्गं तु तमुवाच पतिव्रता । पतिस्नेहेन संमुग्धा भर्तारं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

prasthito dharmamārgaṁ tu tamuvāca pativratā patisnehena saṁmugdhā bhartāraṁ vākyamabravīt

'As he set out on the path of dharma, his devoted wife spoke to him; overcome with love for her husband, she said this word to him:'

Verse 9 (padma.2.41.9)

सुकलोवाच- अहं ते धर्मतः पत्नी सहपुण्यकरा प्रिय । पतिमार्गं प्रतीक्ष्याहं पतिदेवं यजाम्यहम्

sukalovāca- ahaṁ te dharmataḥ patnī sahapuṇyakarā priya patimārgaṁ pratīkṣyāhaṁ patidevaṁ yajāmyaham

Sukala said: 'I am your wife by dharma, beloved, a sharer in your merit; I await my husband's path, and worship my husband as my very god.'

Verse 10 (padma.2.41.10)

कदा नैव मया त्याज्यं सामीप्यं ते द्विजोत्तम । तवच्छायां समाश्रित्य करिष्ये धर्ममुत्तमम्

kadā naiva mayā tyājyaṁ sāmīpyaṁ te dvijottama tavacchāyāṁ samāśritya kariṣye dharmamuttamam

'Your nearness should never be forsaken by me, O best of the twice-born; taking refuge in your very shadow, I shall practice the highest dharma.'

Verse 11 (padma.2.41.11)

पतिव्रताख्यं पापघ्नं नारीणां गतिदायकम् । पुण्यस्त्री कथ्यते लोके या स्यात्पतिपरायणा

pativratākhyaṁ pāpaghnaṁ nārīṇāṁ gatidāyakam puṇyastrī kathyate loke yā syātpatiparāyaṇā

'That dharma called pativratya, destroyer of sin, the bestower of a good destiny for women - in this world only she is called a meritorious woman who is devoted wholly to her husband.'

Verse 12 (padma.2.41.12)

युवतीनां पृथक्तीर्थं विना भर्तुर्न शोभते । सुखदं नास्ति वै लोके स्वर्गमोक्षप्रदायकम्

yuvatīnāṁ pṛthaktīrthaṁ vinā bharturna śobhate sukhadaṁ nāsti vai loke svargamokṣapradāyakam

'For young women, apart from their husband, no separate tirtha shines forth. In this world there is nothing more beneficent, nothing that bestows heaven and liberation more.'

Verse 13 (padma.2.41.13)

सव्यं पादं च भर्तुश्च प्रयागं विद्धि सत्तम । वामं च पुष्करं तस्य या नारी परिकल्पयेत्

savyaṁ pādaṁ ca bhartuśca prayāgaṁ viddhi sattama vāmaṁ ca puṣkaraṁ tasya yā nārī parikalpayet

'Know your husband's right foot to be Prayaga, O worthy one; and his left foot to be Pushkara - for the woman who so regards it,'

Verse 14 (padma.2.41.14)

तस्य पादोदकस्नानात्तत्पुण्यं परि जायते । प्रयागपुष्करसमं स्नानं स्त्रीणां न संशयः

tasya pādodakasnānāttatpuṇyaṁ pari jāyate prayāgapuṣkarasamaṁ snānaṁ strīṇāṁ na saṁśayaḥ

'—by bathing in the water of his feet, that same merit arises for her. A bath equal to Prayaga and Pushkara is thus obtained by women, without doubt.'

Verse 15 (padma.2.41.15)

सर्वतीर्थमयो भर्ता सर्वपुण्यमयः पतिः । मखानां यजनात्पुण्यं यद्वै भवति दीक्षिते

sarvatīrthamayo bhartā sarvapuṇyamayaḥ patiḥ makhānāṁ yajanātpuṇyaṁ yadvai bhavati dīkṣite

'The husband is the very form of every tirtha; the husband is the very form of every merit. Whatever merit the one initiated obtains from the performance of sacrifices—'

Verse 16 (padma.2.41.16)

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति सेवया भर्तुरेव हि । गयादीनां सुतीर्थानां यात्रां कृत्वा हि यद्भवेत्

tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti sevayā bhartureva hi gayādīnāṁ sutīrthānāṁ yātrāṁ kṛtvā hi yadbhavet

'—that same fruit is obtained through service to one's husband alone. Whatever fruit is obtained from making pilgrimage to excellent tirthas such as Gaya—'

Verse 17 (padma.2.41.17)

तत्फलं समवाप्नोति भर्तुः शुश्रूषणादपि । समासेन प्रवक्ष्यामि तन्मे निगदतः शृणु

tatphalaṁ samavāpnoti bhartuḥ śuśrūṣaṇādapi samāsena pravakṣyāmi tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu

'—that same fruit too is obtained through mere attendance upon one's husband. I shall tell this in brief; hear it from me as I declare it.'

Verse 18 (padma.2.41.18)

नास्त्यासां हि पृथग्धर्मः पतिशुश्रूषणं विना । तस्मात्कांतसहायं ते कुर्वाणा सुखदायिनी

nāstyāsāṁ hi pṛthagdharmaḥ patiśuśrūṣaṇaṁ vinā tasmātkāṁtasahāyaṁ te kurvāṇā sukhadāyinī

'For these women there is indeed no separate dharma apart from service to their husband. Therefore, becoming your companion, a bestower of happiness—'

Verse 19 (padma.2.41.19)

तवच्छायां समाश्रित्य आगमिष्यामि नान्यथा । विष्णुरुवाच- रूपं शीलं गुणं भक्तिं समालोक्य वयस्तथा

tavacchāyāṁ samāśritya āgamiṣyāmi nānyathā viṣṇuruvāca- rūpaṁ śīlaṁ guṇaṁ bhaktiṁ samālokya vayastathā

'—taking refuge in your very shadow, I shall come with you, and not otherwise.' Vishnu said: Considering her beauty, character, virtue, devotion, and likewise her age, and pondering again and again her delicacy, Krikala—

Verse 20 (padma.2.41.20)

सौकुमार्यं विचार्यैवं कृकलः स पुनःपुनः । यद्येवं हि नयिष्यामि दुर्गमार्गं सुदुःखदम्

saukumāryaṁ vicāryaivaṁ kṛkalaḥ sa punaḥpunaḥ yadyevaṁ hi nayiṣyāmi durgamārgaṁ suduḥkhadam

'—thought: 'If I do this, I shall lead her upon a difficult, most painful path.'

Verse 21 (padma.2.41.21)

रूपनाशो भवेच्चास्याः शीतातपविलोडनात् । पद्मगर्भप्रतीकाशमस्याश्चांगं प्रवर्णकम्

rūpanāśo bhaveccāsyāḥ śītātapaviloḍanāt padmagarbhapratīkāśamasyāścāṁgaṁ pravarṇakam

'Her body, resembling the interior of a lotus, of fair complexion, will be ruined in beauty by the buffeting of cold and heat.'

Verse 22 (padma.2.41.22)

झंझावातेन शीतेन कृष्णवर्णं भविष्यति । पंथाः कर्कश सुग्रावा पादौचास्याः सुकोमलौ

jhaṁjhāvātena śītena kṛṣṇavarṇaṁ bhaviṣyati paṁthāḥ karkaśa sugrāvā pādaucāsyāḥ sukomalau

'By storm-wind and cold she will turn dark of hue; the path is rugged with sharp stones, and her feet are so very tender—'

Verse 23 (padma.2.41.23)

एष्यते वेदनां तीव्रामथो गंतुं न च क्षमा । क्षुत्तृष्णाभिपरीतांगी कीदृशीयं भविष्यति

eṣyate vedanāṁ tīvrāmatho gaṁtuṁ na ca kṣamā kṣuttṛṣṇābhiparītāṁgī kīdṛśīyaṁ bhaviṣyati

'—she will suffer sharp pain, and will not be able to walk on. Overcome with hunger and thirst in her whole body, what will become of her?'

Verse 24 (padma.2.41.24)

वामांगी मम च स्थानं सुखस्थानं वरानना । मम प्राणप्रिया नित्यं नित्यं धर्मस्य चाश्रयः

vāmāṁgī mama ca sthānaṁ sukhasthānaṁ varānanā mama prāṇapriyā nityaṁ nityaṁ dharmasya cāśrayaḥ

'My left-side companion, my own place, my place of comfort, O fair-faced one; ever the beloved of my life, ever the refuge of my dharma—'

Verse 25 (padma.2.41.25)

नाशमेति यदा बाला मम नाशो भवेदिह । इयं मे जीविका नित्यमियं प्राणस्य चेश्वरी

nāśameti yadā bālā mama nāśo bhavediha iyaṁ me jīvikā nityamiyaṁ prāṇasya ceśvarī

'If this maiden should perish, my own ruin would follow here too. She is ever my very livelihood; she is the mistress of my very life.'

Verse 26 (padma.2.41.26)

न नयिष्ये वनं तीर्थमेकश्चैवाप्यहं व्रजे । चिंतयित्वा क्षणं नूनं कृकलेन महात्मना

na nayiṣye vanaṁ tīrthamekaścaivāpyahaṁ vraje ciṁtayitvā kṣaṇaṁ nūnaṁ kṛkalena mahātmanā

'I shall not lead her to the forest tirtha; I alone shall go.' - Thus, for a moment, did the great-souled Krikala ponder.'

Verse 27 (padma.2.41.27)

तस्य चित्तानुगो भावस्तया ज्ञातो नृपोत्तम । पुनरूचे महाभागा भर्त्तारं प्रस्थितं तदा

tasya cittānugo bhāvastayā jñāto nṛpottama punarūce mahābhāgā bharttāraṁ prasthitaṁ tadā

'His inward disposition became known to that illustrious lady, O best of kings; and she spoke again to her husband as he was setting forth:'

Verse 28 (padma.2.41.28)

अनघा नैव वै त्याज्या पुरुषैः शृणु सत्तम । मूलमेवं हि धर्मस्य पुरुषस्य महामते

anaghā naiva vai tyājyā puruṣaiḥ śṛṇu sattama mūlamevaṁ hi dharmasya puruṣasya mahāmate

'A sinless wife should never be forsaken by her husband - hear this, O worthy one; O great-minded one, this indeed is the very root of a man's dharma.'

Verse 29 (padma.2.41.29)

एवं ज्ञात्वा महाभाग मामेवं नय सांप्रतम् । विष्णुरुवाच- श्रुत्वा सर्वं हि तेनापि प्रियाया भाषितं बहु

evaṁ jñātvā mahābhāga māmevaṁ naya sāṁpratam viṣṇuruvāca- śrutvā sarvaṁ hi tenāpi priyāyā bhāṣitaṁ bahu

'Knowing this, O greatly fortunate one, take me now with you as well.' Vishnu said: Having heard all these many words spoken thus by his beloved, Krikala, laughing, spoke this word to her again:

Verse 30 (padma.2.41.30)

प्रहस्यैव वचो ब्रूते तामेवं कृकलः पुनः । नैव त्याज्या भवेद्भार्या प्राप्ता धर्मेण वै प्रिये

prahasyaiva vaco brūte tāmevaṁ kṛkalaḥ punaḥ naiva tyājyā bhavedbhāryā prāptā dharmeṇa vai priye

'A wife obtained through dharma should never be forsaken, my dear. He who forsook his righteous, devoted wife named Sunita—'

Verse 31 (padma.2.41.31)

येन भार्या परित्यक्ता सुनीता धर्मचारिणी । दशांगधर्मस्तेनापि परित्यक्तो वरानने

yena bhāryā parityaktā sunītā dharmacāriṇī daśāṁgadharmastenāpi parityakto varānane

'—by him too, O fair-faced one, the ten-limbed dharma itself was forsaken. Therefore, good fortune to you, I shall never forsake you, my dear.'

Verse 32 (padma.2.41.32)

तस्मात्त्वामेव भद्रं ते नैव त्यक्ष्ये कदा प्रिये । विष्णुरुवाच- एवमाभाष्य तां भार्यां संबोध्य च पुनःपुनः

tasmāttvāmeva bhadraṁ te naiva tyakṣye kadā priye viṣṇuruvāca- evamābhāṣya tāṁ bhāryāṁ saṁbodhya ca punaḥpunaḥ

Vishnu said: Having thus spoken to his wife, and comforting her again and again,

Verse 33 (padma.2.41.33)

तस्या अज्ञातमात्रेण ससार्थेन समं गतः । गते तस्मिन्महाभागे कृकले पुण्यकर्मणि

tasyā ajñātamātreṇa sasārthena samaṁ gataḥ gate tasminmahābhāge kṛkale puṇyakarmaṇi

he departed together with the caravan, entirely without her knowledge. When that illustrious, meritorious-deed-doing Krikala had gone,

Verse 34 (padma.2.41.34)

देवकर्मसुवेलायां काले पुण्ये शुभानना । नैव पश्यति भर्तारं कृकलं निजमंदिरे

devakarmasuvelāyāṁ kāle puṇye śubhānanā naiva paśyati bhartāraṁ kṛkalaṁ nijamaṁdire

at the auspicious hour of the gods' worship, in that holy time, that fair-faced woman did not find her husband Krikala in his own house.

Verse 35 (padma.2.41.35)

समुत्थाय त्वरायुक्ता रुदमाना सुदुःखिता । वयस्यान्पृच्छते भर्तुर्दुःखशोकाधिपीडिता

samutthāya tvarāyuktā rudamānā suduḥkhitā vayasyānpṛcchate bharturduḥkhaśokādhipīḍitā

Rising up at once in haste, weeping, greatly sorrowful, oppressed by grief and sorrow, she asked her friends about her husband:

Verse 36 (padma.2.41.36)

युष्माभिर्वा महाभागा दृष्टोऽसौ कृकलो मम । प्राणेश्वरो गतः क्वापि भवंतो मम बांधवाः

yuṣmābhirvā mahābhāgā dṛṣṭo'sau kṛkalo mama prāṇeśvaro gataḥ kvāpi bhavaṁto mama bāṁdhavāḥ

'Have any of you seen my Krikala anywhere, O illustrious ones? My lord of life has gone somewhere - you are my kinsfolk.'

Verse 37 (padma.2.41.37)

यदि दृष्टो महाभागाः कृकलो मम सांप्रतम् । भर्तारं पुण्यकर्तारं सर्वज्ञं सत्यपंडितम्

yadi dṛṣṭo mahābhāgāḥ kṛkalo mama sāṁpratam bhartāraṁ puṇyakartāraṁ sarvajñaṁ satyapaṁḍitam

'If you have indeed seen my Krikala now, O illustrious ones - that doer of holy deeds, all-knowing, learned in truth, my husband—'

Verse 38 (padma.2.41.38)

कथयंतु महात्मानं यदि दृष्टो महामतिः । तस्यास्तद्भाषितं श्रुत्वा तामूचुस्ते महामतिम्

kathayaṁtu mahātmānaṁ yadi dṛṣṭo mahāmatiḥ tasyāstadbhāṣitaṁ śrutvā tāmūcuste mahāmatim

'—tell me of that great soul, if you have seen that great-minded one.'' Having heard her words, they said this to that great-minded woman:'

Verse 39 (padma.2.41.39)

धर्मयात्राप्रसंगेन नाथस्ते कृकलः शुभे । तीर्थयात्रां चकारासौ कस्माच्छोचसि सुव्रते

dharmayātrāprasaṁgena nāthaste kṛkalaḥ śubhe tīrthayātrāṁ cakārāsau kasmācchocasi suvrate

'On the occasion of a pilgrimage of dharma, O auspicious one, your lord Krikala has gone; he has undertaken a tirtha-pilgrimage - why do you grieve, O virtuous one?'

Verse 40 (padma.2.41.40)

साधयित्वा महातीर्थं पुनरेष्यति शोभने । एवमाश्वासिता सा च पुरुषैराप्तकारिभिः

sādhayitvā mahātīrthaṁ punareṣyati śobhane evamāśvāsitā sā ca puruṣairāptakāribhiḥ

'Having accomplished the great tirtha, he shall return again, O lovely one.'' Thus consoled by those trustworthy men,'

Verse 41 (padma.2.41.41)

पुनर्गेहं गता राजन्सुकला चारुभाषिणी । रुरोद करुणं दुःखं सुकलापि परायणा

punargehaṁ gatā rājansukalā cārubhāṣiṇī ruroda karuṇaṁ duḥkhaṁ sukalāpi parāyaṇā

that sweet-speaking Sukala, O king, returned home once more; and yet, devoted as ever to her husband, she wept in pitiful sorrow.

Verse 42 (padma.2.41.42)

यावदायाति मे भर्त्ता भूमौ स्वप्स्यामि संस्तरे । घृतं तैलं न भोक्ष्येऽहं दधिक्षीरं तथैव च

yāvadāyāti me bharttā bhūmau svapsyāmi saṁstare ghṛtaṁ tailaṁ na bhokṣye'haṁ dadhikṣīraṁ tathaiva ca

'Until my husband comes, I shall sleep upon a mat on the ground. I shall eat neither ghee nor oil, nor curd nor milk likewise.'

Verse 43 (padma.2.41.43)

लवणं च परित्यक्तं तथा तांबूलमेव च । मधुरं च तथा राजंस्त्यक्तं गुडादिकं तथा

lavaṇaṁ ca parityaktaṁ tathā tāṁbūlameva ca madhuraṁ ca tathā rājaṁstyaktaṁ guḍādikaṁ tathā

'Salt too I have forsaken, and betel as well; sweets too, O king, and jaggery and the like, I have forsaken.'

Verse 44 (padma.2.41.44)

एकाहारा निराहारा तावत्स्थास्ये न संशयः । यावच्चागमनं भर्तुः पुनरेव भविष्यति

ekāhārā nirāhārā tāvatsthāsye na saṁśayaḥ yāvaccāgamanaṁ bhartuḥ punareva bhaviṣyati

'Taking food but once a day, or remaining without food, I shall abide thus, without doubt - until my husband's return comes once more.''

Verse 45 (padma.2.41.45)

एवं दुःखान्विता भूत्वा एकवेणीधरा पुनः । एककंचुकसंवीता मलिना च बभूव सा

evaṁ duḥkhānvitā bhūtvā ekaveṇīdharā punaḥ ekakaṁcukasaṁvītā malinā ca babhūva sā

Thus overcome with sorrow, wearing again but a single braid, clad in but a single bodice, she became unkempt.

Verse 46 (padma.2.41.46)

मलिनेनापि वस्त्रेण एकेनैव स्थिता पुनः । हाहाकारं प्रमुंचंती निःश्वसंती सुदुःखिता

malinenāpi vastreṇa ekenaiva sthitā punaḥ hāhākāraṁ pramuṁcaṁtī niḥśvasaṁtī suduḥkhitā

Clad in but a single soiled garment, crying out in lamentation, sighing, greatly sorrowful—

Verse 47 (padma.2.41.47)

वियोगानलसंदग्धा कृष्णांगी मलधारिणी । एवं दुःखसमाचारा सुकृशा विह्वला तदा

viyogānalasaṁdagdhā kṛṣṇāṁgī maladhāriṇī evaṁ duḥkhasamācārā sukṛśā vihvalā tadā

—burnt by the fire of separation, her body darkened, clad in soiled garments - given thus over to sorrowful conduct, exceedingly wasted, distraught then,

Verse 48 (padma.2.41.48)

रोदमाना दिवारात्रौ निद्रा लेभे न वै निशि । क्षुधां न विंदते राजन्दुःखेन विदलीकृता

rodamānā divārātrau nidrā lebhe na vai niśi kṣudhāṁ na viṁdate rājanduḥkhena vidalīkṛtā

she wept day and night, and even at night found no sleep; O king, broken apart by grief, she felt no hunger at all.

Verse 49 (padma.2.41.49)

अथ सख्यः समायाताः पप्रच्छुः सुकलां तदा । सुकले चारुसर्वांगि कस्माद्रोदिषि संप्रति

atha sakhyaḥ samāyātāḥ papracchuḥ sukalāṁ tadā sukale cārusarvāṁgi kasmādrodiṣi saṁprati

Then her friends came and asked her: 'O Sukala, lovely in every limb, why do you weep now?'

Verse 50 (padma.2.41.50)

ततस्त्वं कारणं ब्रूहि दुःखस्यास्य वरानने । सुकलोवाच- स मां त्यक्त्वा गतो भर्ता धर्मार्थं धर्मतत्परः

tatastvaṁ kāraṇaṁ brūhi duḥkhasyāsya varānane sukalovāca- sa māṁ tyaktvā gato bhartā dharmārthaṁ dharmatatparaḥ

'Now tell us the cause of this sorrow of yours, O fair-faced one.' Sukala said: 'My husband, devoted to dharma, has left me and gone for the sake of dharma;'

Verse 51 (padma.2.41.51)

तीर्थयात्राप्रसंगेन अटते मेदिनीं ततः । मां त्यक्त्वा स गतः स्वामी निर्दोषां पापवर्जिताम्

tīrthayātrāprasaṁgena aṭate medinīṁ tataḥ māṁ tyaktvā sa gataḥ svāmī nirdoṣāṁ pāpavarjitām

'—on the occasion of a pilgrimage he now wanders the earth. Leaving me, blameless and free of any fault, my lord has gone.'

Verse 52 (padma.2.41.52)

अहं साध्वी समाचारा सदा पुण्या पतिव्रता । मां त्यक्त्वा स गतो भर्ता तीर्थ साधनतत्परः

ahaṁ sādhvī samācārā sadā puṇyā pativratā māṁ tyaktvā sa gato bhartā tīrtha sādhanatatparaḥ

'I am of good conduct, ever meritorious, devoted to my husband; and yet, leaving me, my husband has gone, intent on accomplishing his tirtha.'

Verse 53 (padma.2.41.53)

तेनाहं दुःखिता सख्यो वियोगेनाति पीडिता । जीवनाशो वरं श्रेष्ठो वरं वै विषभक्षणम्

tenāhaṁ duḥkhitā sakhyo viyogenāti pīḍitā jīvanāśo varaṁ śreṣṭho varaṁ vai viṣabhakṣaṇam

'Because of this, my friends, I am sorrowful, exceedingly afflicted by separation. Better the destruction of life; better even the drinking of poison;'

Verse 54 (padma.2.41.54)

वरमग्निप्रवेशश्च वरं कायविनाशनम् । नारीं प्रियां परित्यज्य भर्ता याति सुनिष्ठुरः

varamagnipraveśaśca varaṁ kāyavināśanam nārīṁ priyāṁ parityajya bhartā yāti suniṣṭhuraḥ

'better entry into fire; better the destruction of the body. A husband who forsakes his beloved wife and goes away is exceedingly cruel.'

Verse 55 (padma.2.41.55)

भर्तृत्यागो वरं नैव प्राणत्यागो वरं सखि । वियोगं न समर्थाहं सहितुं नित्यदारुणम्

bhartṛtyāgo varaṁ naiva prāṇatyāgo varaṁ sakhi viyogaṁ na samarthāhaṁ sahituṁ nityadāruṇam

'To endure abandonment by one's husband is not better - the giving up of life itself is better, my friend; I am not able to bear this ever-terrible separation.'

Verse 56 (padma.2.41.56)

तेनाहं दुःखिता सख्यो वियोगेनापि नित्यशः । सख्य ऊचुः- तीर्थयात्रां गतो भर्ता पुनरेष्यति ते पतिः

tenāhaṁ duḥkhitā sakhyo viyogenāpi nityaśaḥ sakhya ūcuḥ- tīrthayātrāṁ gato bhartā punareṣyati te patiḥ

'Because of this, my friends, I am always sorrowful through this separation.' The friends said: 'Your husband, gone on pilgrimage, will return to you again;'

Verse 57 (padma.2.41.57)

वृथा शोषयसे कायं वृथाशोकं करोषि वै । वृथा त्वं तप्यसे बाले वृथा भोगान्परित्यजेः

vṛthā śoṣayase kāyaṁ vṛthāśokaṁ karoṣi vai vṛthā tvaṁ tapyase bāle vṛthā bhogānparityajeḥ

'you waste your body in vain, you grieve in vain; you torment yourself in vain, child, and forsake all enjoyments in vain.'

Verse 58 (padma.2.41.58)

पिबस्व पानं भुंक्ष्व त्वं स्वप्रदत्तं हि पूर्वकम् । कस्य भर्ता सुताः कस्य कस्य स्वजनबांधवाः

pibasva pānaṁ bhuṁkṣva tvaṁ svapradattaṁ hi pūrvakam kasya bhartā sutāḥ kasya kasya svajanabāṁdhavāḥ

'Drink and eat what has already been given to you. Whose is a husband, whose are sons, whose are kinsfolk and relatives?'

Verse 59 (padma.2.41.59)

कः कस्य नास्ति संसारे संबंधः केन चैव हि । भक्ष्यते भुज्यते बाले संसारस्य हि तत्फलम्

kaḥ kasya nāsti saṁsāre saṁbaṁdhaḥ kena caiva hi bhakṣyate bhujyate bāle saṁsārasya hi tatphalam

'In this world no one has any lasting bond with another. Child, what is eaten and enjoyed - that alone is the fruit of this worldly existence.'

Verse 60 (padma.2.41.60)

मृते प्राणिनि कोऽश्नाति को हि पश्यति तत्फलम् । पीयते भुज्यते बाले एतत्संसारतः फलम्

mṛte prāṇini ko'śnāti ko hi paśyati tatphalam pīyate bhujyate bāle etatsaṁsārataḥ phalam

'When a being has died, who eats with him, who sees that fruit? Child, what is drunk and enjoyed - that alone is the fruit obtained from this world.'

Verse 61 (padma.2.41.61)

सुकलोवाच- भवतीभिः प्रयुक्तं यत्तन्न स्याद्वेदसंमतम् । यातु भर्तुः पृथग्भूता तिष्ठत्येका सदैव हि

sukalovāca- bhavatībhiḥ prayuktaṁ yattanna syādvedasaṁmatam yātu bhartuḥ pṛthagbhūtā tiṣṭhatyekā sadaiva hi

Sukala said: 'What you have urged is not sanctioned by the Vedas. She who remains separate from her husband and abides alone always—'

Verse 62 (padma.2.41.62)

पापभूता भवेन्नारी तां न मन्यंति सज्जनाः । भर्तुः सार्धं सदा सख्यो दृष्टो वेदेषु सर्वदा

pāpabhūtā bhavennārī tāṁ na manyaṁti sajjanāḥ bhartuḥ sārdhaṁ sadā sakhyo dṛṣṭo vedeṣu sarvadā

'—becomes a sinful woman; good people do not regard her with honor. Being always together with one's husband is what is ever seen approved in the Vedas.'

Verse 63 (padma.2.41.63)

संबंधः पुण्यसंसर्गाज्जायते नात्र संशयः । नारीणां च सदा तीर्थं भर्ता शास्त्रेषु पठ्यते

saṁbaṁdhaḥ puṇyasaṁsargājjāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ nārīṇāṁ ca sadā tīrthaṁ bhartā śāstreṣu paṭhyate

'A bond arises only from holy association - there is no doubt of this. The eternal tirtha of women is the husband alone, so it is read in the scriptures.'

Verse 64 (padma.2.41.64)

तमेवावाहयेन्नित्यं वाचा कायेन कर्मभिः । मनसा पूजयेन्नित्यं भावसत्येन तत्परा

tamevāvāhayennityaṁ vācā kāyena karmabhiḥ manasā pūjayennityaṁ bhāvasatyena tatparā

'Him alone should one ever invoke, in speech, in body, and in deeds; him should one ever worship with the mind, devoted to true feeling.'

Verse 65 (padma.2.41.65)

भर्तुः पार्श्वं महातीर्थं दक्षिणांगं सदैव हि । तमाश्रित्य यदा नारी गृहस्था परिवर्त्तयेत्

bhartuḥ pārśvaṁ mahātīrthaṁ dakṣiṇāṁgaṁ sadaiva hi tamāśritya yadā nārī gṛhasthā parivarttayet

'By the side of one's husband, in his right limb, there is ever the great tirtha. Taking refuge in it, when a householder woman lives her life,'

Verse 66 (padma.2.41.66)

यजते दानपुण्यैश्च तस्य दानस्य यत्फलम् । वाराणस्यां च गंगायां यत्फलं न च पुष्करे

yajate dānapuṇyaiśca tasya dānasya yatphalam vārāṇasyāṁ ca gaṁgāyāṁ yatphalaṁ na ca puṣkare

'—and worships with gifts and merit, then the fruit of that gift - the fruit that is at Varanasi, at the Ganga, or even at Pushkara,'

Verse 67 (padma.2.41.67)

द्वारकायां न चावन्त्यां केदारे शशिभूषणे । लभते नैव सा नारी यजमाना सदा किल

dvārakāyāṁ na cāvantyāṁ kedāre śaśibhūṣaṇe labhate naiva sā nārī yajamānā sadā kila

'—not at Dvaraka, not at Avanti, not even at Kedara, the moon-crested one - that very fruit a worshipping woman ever obtains, without ever having gone there.'

Verse 68 (padma.2.41.68)

तादृशं फलमेवं सा न प्राप्नोति कदा सखि । सुमुखं पुत्रसौभाग्यं स्नानं दानं च भूषणम्

tādṛśaṁ phalamevaṁ sā na prāpnoti kadā sakhi sumukhaṁ putrasaubhāgyaṁ snānaṁ dānaṁ ca bhūṣaṇam

'She obtains just such a fruit, my friend, and there is never any doubt of it. A lovely face, the good fortune of sons, [merit equal to] bathing, giving, and adornment,'

Verse 69 (padma.2.41.69)

वस्त्रालंकारसौभाग्यं रूपं तेजः फलं सदा । यशः कीर्तिमवाप्नोति गुणं च वरवर्णिनी

vastrālaṁkārasaubhāgyaṁ rūpaṁ tejaḥ phalaṁ sadā yaśaḥ kīrtimavāpnoti guṇaṁ ca varavarṇinī

'the good fortune of clothing and ornaments, beauty, splendor - this is ever her fruit; fame and renown too are attained, and virtue as well, O fair one.'

Verse 70 (padma.2.41.70)

भर्तुः प्रसादात्सर्वं च लभते नात्र संशयः । विद्यमाने यदा कांते अन्यं धर्मं करोति या

bhartuḥ prasādātsarvaṁ ca labhate nātra saṁśayaḥ vidyamāne yadā kāṁte anyaṁ dharmaṁ karoti yā

'All this is obtained through her husband's grace alone, without doubt. When, while her husband is living, a woman performs any other dharma [apart from devotion to him],'

Verse 71 (padma.2.41.71)

निष्फलं जायते तस्याः पुंश्चली परिकथ्यते । नारीणां यौवनं रूपमवतारं स्मृतं ध्रुवम्

niṣphalaṁ jāyate tasyāḥ puṁścalī parikathyate nārīṇāṁ yauvanaṁ rūpamavatāraṁ smṛtaṁ dhruvam

'—it becomes fruitless for her, and she is called an unchaste woman. The youth and beauty of women is remembered, surely, as an offering meant for one husband alone.'

Verse 72 (padma.2.41.72)

एकस्यापि हि भर्तुश्च तस्यार्थे भूमिमंडले । सुपुत्रा सुयशा नारी परिकथ्येत वै सदा

ekasyāpi hi bhartuśca tasyārthe bhūmimaṁḍale suputrā suyaśā nārī parikathyeta vai sadā

'For the sake of one husband alone, upon this circle of the earth, a woman blessed with good sons and good fame is ever so spoken of.'

Verse 73 (padma.2.41.73)

तुष्टे भर्तरि संसारे दृश्या नारी न संशयः । पतिहीना भवेन्नारी भवेत्सा भूमिमंडले

tuṣṭe bhartari saṁsāre dṛśyā nārī na saṁśayaḥ patihīnā bhavennārī bhavetsā bhūmimaṁḍale

'Only when her husband is content is a woman worthy to be beheld in this world, without doubt. A woman without a husband, upon this circle of the earth—'

Verse 74 (padma.2.41.74)

कुतस्तस्याः सुखं रूपं यशः कीर्तिः सुता भुवि । सुदौर्भाग्यं महद्दुःखं संसारे परिभुज्यते

kutastasyāḥ sukhaṁ rūpaṁ yaśaḥ kīrtiḥ sutā bhuvi sudaurbhāgyaṁ mahadduḥkhaṁ saṁsāre paribhujyate

'—whence can happiness, beauty, fame, renown, or good sons come to her? In this world she must undergo only misfortune and great sorrow.'

Verse 75 (padma.2.41.75)

पापभागा भवेत्सा च दुःखाचारा सदैव हि । तुष्टे भर्तरि तस्यास्तु तुष्टाः सर्वाश्च देवताः

pāpabhāgā bhavetsā ca duḥkhācārā sadaiva hi tuṣṭe bhartari tasyāstu tuṣṭāḥ sarvāśca devatāḥ

'She becomes a sharer in sin, ever of sorrowful conduct. When her husband is content, all the gods too are content with her.'

Verse 76 (padma.2.41.76)

तुष्टे भर्तरि तुष्यंति ऋषयो देवमानवाः । भर्ता नाथो गुरुर्भर्ता देवता दैवतैः सह

tuṣṭe bhartari tuṣyaṁti ṛṣayo devamānavāḥ bhartā nātho gururbhartā devatā daivataiḥ saha

'When the husband is content, the sages, the gods, and men too are content. The husband is the lord, the husband is the guru, the husband is the deity, together with all deities.'

Verse 77 (padma.2.41.77)

भर्ता तीर्थश्च पुण्यश्च नारीणां नृपनंदन । शृंगारं भूषणं रूपं वर्णं सौगंधमेव च

bhartā tīrthaśca puṇyaśca nārīṇāṁ nṛpanaṁdana śṛṁgāraṁ bhūṣaṇaṁ rūpaṁ varṇaṁ saugaṁdhameva ca

'The husband alone is the tirtha and the merit of women, O prince. Adornment, ornament, beauty, complexion, and fragrance too—'

Verse 78 (padma.2.41.78)

कृत्वा सा तिष्ठते नित्यं वर्जयित्वा सुपर्वसु । शृंगारैर्भूषणैः सा तु शुशुभे सा यदा पतिः

kṛtvā sā tiṣṭhate nityaṁ varjayitvā suparvasu śṛṁgārairbhūṣaṇaiḥ sā tu śuśubhe sā yadā patiḥ

'—she maintains always, except on the days of the great festivals; and by adornment and ornaments she truly shines only while her husband lives.'

Verse 79 (padma.2.41.79)

पत्याविना भवत्येवं क्षीरं सर्पमुखे यथा । भर्तुरर्थे महाभागा सुव्रता चारुमंगला

patyāvinā bhavatyevaṁ kṣīraṁ sarpamukhe yathā bharturarthe mahābhāgā suvratā cārumaṁgalā

'Without a husband, it becomes just like milk poured into the mouth of a serpent. For her husband's sake alone, that illustrious, virtuous, lovely and auspicious woman—'

Verse 80 (padma.2.41.80)

गते भर्तरि या नारी शृंगारं कुरुते यदि । रूपं वर्णं च तत्सर्वं शवरूपेण जायते

gate bhartari yā nārī śṛṁgāraṁ kurute yadi rūpaṁ varṇaṁ ca tatsarvaṁ śavarūpeṇa jāyate

'—if, after her husband has departed [in death], a woman still adorns herself, then her beauty and complexion, all of it, becomes as the semblance of a corpse.'

Verse 81 (padma.2.41.81)

वदंति भूतले लोकाः पुंश्चलीयं न संशयः । तस्माद्भर्तुर्वियुक्ता या नार्याः शृणुत भूतले

vadaṁti bhūtale lokāḥ puṁścalīyaṁ na saṁśayaḥ tasmādbharturviyuktā yā nāryāḥ śṛṇuta bhūtale

'The people of this earth call her, without doubt, an unchaste woman. Therefore, O people of this earth, hear this regarding a woman separated from her husband:'

Verse 82 (padma.2.41.82)

इच्छंत्या वै महासौख्यं भवितव्यं कदाचन । सुजायायाः परो धर्मो भर्ता शास्त्रेषु गीयते

icchaṁtyā vai mahāsaukhyaṁ bhavitavyaṁ kadācana sujāyāyāḥ paro dharmo bhartā śāstreṣu gīyate

'Though she may desire great happiness, it can never come to be for her. The highest dharma of a virtuous wife is declared in the scriptures to be her husband alone.'

Verse 83 (padma.2.41.83)

तस्माद्वै शाश्वतो धर्मो न त्याज्यो भार्यया किल । एवं धर्मं विजानामि कथं भर्ता परित्यजेत्

tasmādvai śāśvato dharmo na tyājyo bhāryayā kila evaṁ dharmaṁ vijānāmi kathaṁ bhartā parityajet

'Therefore this eternal dharma should never be forsaken by a wife. Thus do I understand dharma - how, then, could a husband ever forsake his wife?'

Verse 84 (padma.2.41.84)

इत्यर्थे श्रूयते सख्य इतिहासः पुरातनः । सुदेवायाश्च चरितं सुपुण्यं पापनाशनम्

ityarthe śrūyate sakhya itihāsaḥ purātanaḥ sudevāyāśca caritaṁ supuṇyaṁ pāpanāśanam

On this very matter, my friends, an ancient tale is heard - the most meritorious, sin-destroying story of Sudeva.