The Vow of Fortune (Subhaga Vrata)

Verse 1 (padma.4.11.1)

शौनक उवाच । इदानीं श्रोतुमिच्छामि कथयस्व यथार्थतः । हरिस्वरूपिणा साक्षाद्वेदव्यासेन शासित ।

śaunaka uvāca idānīṁ śrotumicchāmi kathayasva yathārthataḥ harisvarūpiṇā sākṣādvedavyāsena śāsita

Shaunaka said: Now I wish to hear it truly — tell me what was taught directly by Veda-Vyasa himself, who is the very form of Hari.

Verse 2 (padma.4.11.2)

निरहंकार हे सूत लोकानुग्रहकारक । केन स्यात्सुभगा नारी पापिनी च सुदुर्भगा ।

nirahaṁkāra he sūta lokānugrahakāraka kena syātsubhagā nārī pāpinī ca sudurbhagā

O egoless Suta, benefactor of the world, by what means does a woman become fortunate, and by what does a sinful woman become deeply unfortunate?

Verse 3 (padma.4.11.3)

पतिप्रियांग केन स्याद्रूपिता चक्षुषोः सुधा । केन वा जायते लक्ष्मीस्तन्मे ब्रूहि तपोधन ।

patipriyāṁga kena syādrūpitā cakṣuṣoḥ sudhā kena vā jāyate lakṣmīstanme brūhi tapodhana

By what does a woman's body become dear to her husband, a very nectar to the eyes, and by what is Lakshmi (prosperity) born to her? Tell me this, O wealthy-in-austerity one.

Verse 4 (padma.4.11.4)

सूत उवाच । यदि पुण्यमिदं विप्र वृत्तं परमदुर्लभम् । शृणुष्व भोः समासेन कथयामि विधानतः ।

sūta uvāca yadi puṇyamidaṁ vipra vṛttaṁ paramadurlabham śṛṇuṣva bhoḥ samāsena kathayāmi vidhānataḥ

Suta said: If you wish to hear, O Brahmin, this most rare and meritorious account, listen — I shall tell it briefly, in due order.

Verse 5 (padma.4.11.5)

आसीद्भद्रश्रवा राजा युगे द्वापरसंज्ञके । सौराष्ट्रदेशवासी च वेदवेदांगपारगः ।

āsīdbhadraśravā rājā yuge dvāparasaṁjñake saurāṣṭradeśavāsī ca vedavedāṁgapāragaḥ

In the age called Dvapara there was, in the country of Saurashtra, a king named Bhadrashrava, versed in the Vedas and Vedangas.

Verse 6 (padma.4.11.6)

भार्या तस्य च संजाता नाम्ना सुरतिचंद्रिका । तस्यां बभूवुः श्रीराज्ञः सप्तपुत्रा मनोरमाः ।

bhāryā tasya ca saṁjātā nāmnā suraticaṁdrikā tasyāṁ babhūvuḥ śrīrājñaḥ saptaputrā manoramāḥ

His wife was named Suraticandrika. Through her, seven handsome sons were born to that illustrious king.

Verse 7 (padma.4.11.7)

ततोऽभिजाता दुहिता सुंदरी सत्यवादिनी । श्यामबाला च विप्रेंद्र नाम्ना प्रीतिकरी पितुः ।

tato'bhijātā duhitā suṁdarī satyavādinī śyāmabālā ca vipreṁdra nāmnā prītikarī pituḥ

After them was born a beautiful and truthful daughter, O foremost of Brahmins, named Shyamabala, dear to her father's heart.

Verse 8 (padma.4.11.8)

अथैकदा श्यामबाला सुवर्णसिकतासु च । गूढैर्मनोहरै रत्नैः सखिभिः क्रीडितुं मुदा ।

athaikadā śyāmabālā suvarṇasikatāsu ca gūḍhairmanoharai ratnaiḥ sakhibhiḥ krīḍituṁ mudā

One day Shyamabala went joyfully with her friends to play with lovely hidden jewels upon the golden sands.

Verse 9 (padma.4.11.9)

जगाम नीपवृक्षस्य तलं परमदुर्लभम् । एतस्मिन्नंतरे विप्र लक्ष्मीः संसारतारिणी ।

jagāma nīpavṛkṣasya talaṁ paramadurlabham etasminnaṁtare vipra lakṣmīḥ saṁsāratāriṇī

She went beneath a most excellent kadamba tree. Meanwhile, O Brahmin, Lakshmi, who ferries beings across this world —

Verse 10 (padma.4.11.10)

लोकानां नीतिदा साथ समायाता स्वयं पुरः । धृत्वा च ब्राह्मणीरूपं पलितांगी च भूसुर ।

lokānāṁ nītidā sātha samāyātā svayaṁ puraḥ dhṛtvā ca brāhmaṇīrūpaṁ palitāṁgī ca bhūsura

— she who bestows right conduct upon the worlds, herself came forth, taking the form of a Brahmin woman, aged in body, O best of Brahmins.

Verse 11 (padma.4.11.11)

अखिलानां च लोकानां शास्तू राज्ञः क्षयं विना । केषां क्षुद्रतराणां हि गृहे गच्छामि सांप्रतम् ।

akhilānāṁ ca lokānāṁ śāstū rājñaḥ kṣayaṁ vinā keṣāṁ kṣudratarāṇāṁ hi gṛhe gacchāmi sāṁpratam

She thought in her mind: "Except for the palace of the king who rules all the worlds, to whose lesser dwelling shall I now go?"

Verse 12 (padma.4.11.12)

इति संचिंत्य मनसा गता राजनिकेतनम् । सुवर्णभित्तिभिर्युक्तं पताकाभिरलंकृतम् ।

iti saṁciṁtya manasā gatā rājaniketanam suvarṇabhittibhiryuktaṁ patākābhiralaṁkṛtam

Thinking thus, she went to the king's palace, which was adorned with golden walls and decorated with banners.

Verse 13 (padma.4.11.13)

सिंहद्वारमतिक्रम्य प्राह दौवारिकीं ततः । द्वारं जहि हि भो द्वारि नियुक्ते शुभलक्षणे ।

siṁhadvāramatikramya prāha dauvārikīṁ tataḥ dvāraṁ jahi hi bho dvāri niyukte śubhalakṣaṇe

Passing the great lion-gate, she said to the doorkeeper: "O gatekeeper of auspicious marks, open the door."

Verse 14 (padma.4.11.14)

यामि वेगेन पश्यामि राज्ञीं सुरतिचंद्रिकाम् । तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्या रत्नदंडकरा च सा । कोकिलावाक्यवन्मुक्तं परमं हर्षमाययौ ।

yāmi vegena paśyāmi rājñīṁ suraticaṁdrikām tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasyā ratnadaṁḍakarā ca sā kokilāvākyavanmuktaṁ paramaṁ harṣamāyayau

"I go swiftly to see Queen Suraticandrika." Hearing her words, the jeweled-staff-bearing doorkeeper felt supreme joy, as if hearing a cuckoo's sweet call.

Verse 15 (padma.4.11.15)

द्वारनियुक्तोवाच । किं नाम वहसे वृद्धे कः पतिस्तावकः पुनः । आगतासि कथं किं ते कार्य्यं राज्ञ्याश्च दर्शने । कस्मात्किं ब्रूहि विप्रे त्वं श्रोतुं कौतुहलं हि मे ।

dvāraniyuktovāca kiṁ nāma vahase vṛddhe kaḥ patistāvakaḥ punaḥ āgatāsi kathaṁ kiṁ te kāryyaṁ rājñyāśca darśane kasmātkiṁ brūhi vipre tvaṁ śrotuṁ kautuhalaṁ hi me

The doorkeeper said: "What is your name, O elder woman, and who is your husband? How have you come, and what business do you have in seeing the queen? Tell me all this, O Brahmin lady — I am curious to hear."

Verse 16 (padma.4.11.16)

वृद्धोवाच । शृणु पोष्ये महाराज पत्न्या दंडकरे यदा । श्रोतुं कौतूहलं तेऽस्ति मदागमनकारणम् ।

vṛddhovāca śṛṇu poṣye mahārāja patnyā daṁḍakare yadā śrotuṁ kautūhalaṁ te'sti madāgamanakāraṇam

The old woman said: "Listen, dear one — since you ask, I shall tell you the reason for my coming."

Verse 17 (padma.4.11.17)

प्रसिद्धा कमला नाम्ना चाहं प्राणेश्वरो मम । भुवनेश इति ख्यातो नाम्ना द्वारवतीपुरी ।

prasiddhā kamalā nāmnā cāhaṁ prāṇeśvaro mama bhuvaneśa iti khyāto nāmnā dvāravatīpurī

"I am known by the name Kamala, and my lord is famed by the name Bhuvanesha; our city is named Dvaravati."

Verse 18 (padma.4.11.18)

तस्यां वै वर्त्तते पोष्ये मम प्राणेश्वरस्ततः । आगताहं रत्नवेत्रकरे शृणु सकौतुकम् ।

tasyāṁ vai varttate poṣye mama prāṇeśvarastataḥ āgatāhaṁ ratnavetrakare śṛṇu sakautukam

"There, dear one, my lord dwells. O jewel-cane-bearing one, from there I have come; listen with curiosity."

Verse 19 (padma.4.11.19)

ममागमनकार्यं हि वच्मीदानीं तवाग्रतः । पुरासीद्वैश्यकुलजा राज्ञी तव च दुःखिनी ।

mamāgamanakāryaṁ hi vacmīdānīṁ tavāgrataḥ purāsīdvaiśyakulajā rājñī tava ca duḥkhinī

"Now I shall tell you the purpose of my coming. Formerly, this king's queen was born in a merchant family and was sorrowful."

Verse 20 (padma.4.11.20)

एकस्मिन्दिवसे पोष्ये पतिना कलहः कृतः । तया नार्या च दुःखिन्या ततो वै भर्तृपीडिता ।

ekasmindivase poṣye patinā kalahaḥ kṛtaḥ tayā nāryā ca duḥkhinyā tato vai bhartṛpīḍitā

"One day, dear one, a quarrel arose with her husband; that sorrowful woman was tormented by him."

Verse 21 (padma.4.11.21)

बहिर्भूय द्रुतं गेहाद्रुदंती च पुनः पुनः । तस्याश्च रोदनं श्रुत्वा चागताहं समीपतः ।

bahirbhūya drutaṁ gehādrudaṁtī ca punaḥ punaḥ tasyāśca rodanaṁ śrutvā cāgatāhaṁ samīpataḥ

"She rushed out of the house, weeping again and again. Hearing her weeping, I came near to her."

Verse 22 (padma.4.11.22)

अपृच्छं सर्ववृत्तांतं कथितो वै यथार्थतः । तया ततो व्रतवरमुपदेशं ददाम्यहम् ।

apṛcchaṁ sarvavṛttāṁtaṁ kathito vai yathārthataḥ tayā tato vratavaramupadeśaṁ dadāmyaham

"I asked her the whole matter, and she told it truly. Then I gave her the teaching of that excellent vow."

Verse 23 (padma.4.11.23)

ममोपदेशतः सा वै चक्रे व्रतवरं मुदा । तस्य प्रसादाद्भो द्वाःस्थे संजाता सुखिता च सा ।

mamopadeśataḥ sā vai cakre vratavaraṁ mudā tasya prasādādbho dvāḥsthe saṁjātā sukhitā ca sā

"By my instruction she joyfully performed that excellent vow. By its grace, O doorkeeper, she became happy."

Verse 24 (padma.4.11.24)

कदाचिद्वैश्यकुलजा पत्या मृत्योर्वशं गता । समानेतुं ततस्तौ तु विहिताखिलघातकौ ।

kadācidvaiśyakulajā patyā mṛtyorvaśaṁ gatā samānetuṁ tatastau tu vihitākhilaghātakau

"Once that merchant-born woman, together with her husband, came under the sway of death. Then all-destroying messengers were appointed to bring the two away."

Verse 25 (padma.4.11.25)

किंकरान्प्रेषयामास चंडाद्यान्धर्मराट्प्रभुः । यमाज्ञया समायाता यमदूता भयंकराः ।

kiṁkarānpreṣayāmāsa caṁḍādyāndharmarāṭprabhuḥ yamājñayā samāyātā yamadūtā bhayaṁkarāḥ

"Dharmaraja sent his servants, Chanda and others. By Yama's command, terrifying messengers of Yama arrived."

Verse 26 (padma.4.11.26)

बद्ध्वा तौ चर्मपाशेन लोहमुद्गरपाणयः । उद्यमं चक्रिरे गंतुं यमस्य शरणं प्रति ।

baddhvā tau carmapāśena lohamudgarapāṇayaḥ udyamaṁ cakrire gaṁtuṁ yamasya śaraṇaṁ prati

"Binding the two with leather nooses, those iron-mace-bearing messengers made ready to take them toward Yama's abode."

Verse 27 (padma.4.11.27)

अत्रांतरे च लक्ष्म्यास्ते दूता विष्णुपरायणाः । समानेतुं समायाताः शंखचक्रगदाधराः ।

atrāṁtare ca lakṣmyāste dūtā viṣṇuparāyaṇāḥ samānetuṁ samāyātāḥ śaṁkhacakragadādharāḥ

"Meanwhile Lakshmi's own messengers, devoted to Vishnu, bearing conch, discus and mace, arrived to bring the couple away."

Verse 28 (padma.4.11.28)

दृष्ट्वा तथाविधांस्तांश्च यमदूताः पलायिताः । लक्ष्मीदूता महात्मानः स्वप्रकाशादयस्तथा ।

dṛṣṭvā tathāvidhāṁstāṁśca yamadūtāḥ palāyitāḥ lakṣmīdūtā mahātmānaḥ svaprakāśādayastathā

"Seeing such radiant messengers, Yama's servants fled. Lakshmi's messengers, great souls, shone with their own light —"

Verse 29 (padma.4.11.29)

पाशं छित्त्वा समारोप्य राजहंसयुते रथे । जग्मुर्लक्ष्मीपुरं सर्वे सहसाकाशवर्त्मना ।

pāśaṁ chittvā samāropya rājahaṁsayute rathe jagmurlakṣmīpuraṁ sarve sahasākāśavartmanā

"— cutting the noose, they seated the couple upon a chariot yoked with royal swans, and all at once went by the sky-path to Lakshmi's city."

Verse 30 (padma.4.11.30)

यावद्वारं व्रतवरं कृत्वा वैश्या च सा तदा । तावत्कल्पसहस्राणि तस्थतुः कमलापुरे ।

yāvadvāraṁ vratavaraṁ kṛtvā vaiśyā ca sā tadā tāvatkalpasahasrāṇi tasthatuḥ kamalāpure

"For as many times as that merchant's wife had performed the excellent vow, for that many thousand kalpas the two dwelt in Kamala's city."

Verse 31 (padma.4.11.31)

पुण्यशेषस्य भोगार्थं जातौ राजान्वयेऽधुना । व्रतं च विस्मृतौ द्वाःस्थे राजसंपत्तिगर्वितौ । तस्माच्च तव तस्यापि चोपदेशार्थमागता ।

puṇyaśeṣasya bhogārthaṁ jātau rājānvaye'dhunā vrataṁ ca vismṛtau dvāḥsthe rājasaṁpattigarvitau tasmācca tava tasyāpi copadeśārthamāgatā

"To enjoy the remainder of their merit, the two are now born into a royal lineage. But, O doorkeeper, proud of royal wealth, they have forgotten the vow; therefore I have come to instruct you and her as well."

Verse 32 (padma.4.11.32)

द्वाःस्थोवाच । केनैव तु विधानेन वृद्धे व्रतवरं कृतम् । कस्मिन्मासे व्रतं श्रेष्ठं देवता का च पूज्यते ।

dvāḥsthovāca kenaiva tu vidhānena vṛddhe vratavaraṁ kṛtam kasminmāse vrataṁ śreṣṭhaṁ devatā kā ca pūjyate

The doorkeeper said: "O elder, by what rule is this excellent vow performed? In which month is the vow best kept, and which deity is worshipped?"

Verse 33 (padma.4.11.33)

एतन्मे पृच्छतो मातर्यथावद्वक्तुमर्हसि । कमलोवाच । कार्त्तिके च व्यतिक्रांते मार्गशीर्षे समागते । तस्मिन्मासे च भो पोष्ये वासरे गुरुसंज्ञके ।

etanme pṛcchato mātaryathāvadvaktumarhasi kamalovāca kārttike ca vyatikrāṁte mārgaśīrṣe samāgate tasminmāse ca bho poṣye vāsare gurusaṁjñake

"As I ask this, mother, please tell me properly." Kamala said: "When Kartika has passed and Margashirsha has come, in that month, dear one, on the day named for Guru (Thursday) —"

Verse 34 (padma.4.11.34)

ततः पूर्वाह्णसमये सकलैर्व्रतिभिर्वृता । नारायणेन सहितां लक्ष्मीं संपूजयेत्ततः ।

tataḥ pūrvāhṇasamaye sakalairvratibhirvṛtā nārāyaṇena sahitāṁ lakṣmīṁ saṁpūjayettataḥ

"— in the forenoon, surrounded by all the vow-keepers, one should worship Lakshmi together with Narayana."

Verse 35 (padma.4.11.35)

मिष्टैः पायसयुक्तैश्च भुक्तैश्च खंडमिश्रितैः । लक्ष्मीं संतोषयेत्प्रेष्ये ततः संप्रार्थयेदिदम् ।

miṣṭaiḥ pāyasayuktaiśca bhuktaiśca khaṁḍamiśritaiḥ lakṣmīṁ saṁtoṣayetpreṣye tataḥ saṁprārthayedidam

"With sweets, rice-pudding, and food mixed with sugar, one should please Lakshmi, dear one, and then offer this prayer —"

Verse 36 (padma.4.11.36)

त्रैलोक्यपूजिते देवि कमले विष्णुवल्लभे । यथा त्वमचला कृष्णे तथा भव मयि स्थिता ।

trailokyapūjite devi kamale viṣṇuvallabhe yathā tvamacalā kṛṣṇe tathā bhava mayi sthitā

"'O goddess worshipped by the three worlds, Kamala, beloved of Vishnu, as you remain unwavering with Krishna, so remain steadfast in me.'"

Verse 37 (padma.4.11.37)

ईश्वरी कमले देवि शरणं च भवानघे । नानोपहारद्रव्यैश्च लक्ष्मीमाज्ञाप्य तोषयेत् ।

īśvarī kamale devi śaraṇaṁ ca bhavānaghe nānopahāradravyaiśca lakṣmīmājñāpya toṣayet

"'O sovereign goddess Kamala, O sinless one, be my refuge.' With various offerings one should invoke and please Lakshmi."

Verse 38 (padma.4.11.38)

शास्त्रैश्च पूजयेद्देवीं महोत्सवसमन्विताम् । ततो नैवेद्यशेषांश्च दत्वा ब्राह्मणसत्तमम् ।

śāstraiśca pūjayeddevīṁ mahotsavasamanvitām tato naivedyaśeṣāṁśca datvā brāhmaṇasattamam

"One should worship the goddess with scriptural rites amid a great festival. Then, having given the remnants of the offering to the finest of Brahmins —"

Verse 39 (padma.4.11.39)

आत्मानं स्वपतिं पुत्रान्पोष्येऽन्यानपि सेवकान् । द्वितीये तु गुरोर्वारे विशेषं शृणु सुंदरि ।

ātmānaṁ svapatiṁ putrānpoṣye'nyānapi sevakān dvitīye tu gurorvāre viśeṣaṁ śṛṇu suṁdari

"— one should feed oneself, one's husband, sons, dear one, and the other servants too. Hear now the special rite of the second Thursday, O beautiful one."

Verse 40 (padma.4.11.40)

चित्रधूलीप्रशस्तैश्च भ्राष्ट्रैर्गोधूमनिर्मितैः । तोषयेत्कमलादेव्याः कुर्य्याद्वै भक्तिभावतः ।

citradhūlīpraśastaiśca bhrāṣṭrairgodhūmanirmitaiḥ toṣayetkamalādevyāḥ kuryyādvai bhaktibhāvataḥ

"With fine roasted preparations made of wheat, one should please the goddess Kamala with devotion."

Verse 41 (padma.4.11.41)

तृतीये खंडसंयुक्तं दध्योदननिवेदनम् । शामाक शालि कासारैश्चतुर्थे पूजयेन्मुदा ।

tṛtīye khaṁḍasaṁyuktaṁ dadhyodananivedanam śāmāka śāli kāsāraiścaturthe pūjayenmudā

"On the third Thursday, curd-rice mixed with sugar is offered; on the fourth, one should joyfully worship with millet and fine-rice sweets —"

Verse 42 (padma.4.11.42)

लक्ष्मीदेवीं प्रयत्नेन रत्नदंडकरे ततः । लक्ष्मीदेवी प्रीतये तु ब्राह्मणान्पूजयेद्धनैः ।

lakṣmīdevīṁ prayatnena ratnadaṁḍakare tataḥ lakṣmīdevī prītaye tu brāhmaṇānpūjayeddhanaiḥ

"— the goddess Lakshmi with effort, O jewel-staff-bearer. For Lakshmi's pleasure, one should honor Brahmins with wealth,"

Verse 43 (padma.4.11.43)

वस्त्रालंकारभोज्यैश्च फलैर्नानाविधैस्तथा । पोष्योवाच । अत्रैव तिष्ठ भो वृद्धे राज्ञीं सुरतिचंद्रिकाम् ।

vastrālaṁkārabhojyaiśca phalairnānāvidhaistathā poṣyovāca atraiva tiṣṭha bho vṛddhe rājñīṁ suraticaṁdrikām

"— with clothes, ornaments, food, and various fruits." Then the attendant said: "Stay right here, O elder; I shall go to Queen Suraticandrika —"

Verse 44 (padma.4.11.44)

विज्ञाप्य त्वां नयिष्यामि मा क्रोधं कुरु सत्तमे । इत्युक्त्वा सा तु चार्वंगी गता राज्ञीसमीपतः ।

vijñāpya tvāṁ nayiṣyāmi mā krodhaṁ kuru sattame ityuktvā sā tu cārvaṁgī gatā rājñīsamīpataḥ

"— inform her, and bring you before her; do not be angry, O noble one." So saying, the fair-limbed woman went to the queen's presence.

Verse 45 (padma.4.11.45)

शिरस्यंजलिमाधाय पोष्या ब्रह्मन्समूलतः । आरभ्य सांगपर्यंतं यदूचे कमलालया ।

śirasyaṁjalimādhāya poṣyā brahmansamūlataḥ ārabhya sāṁgaparyaṁtaṁ yadūce kamalālayā

Placing her joined palms upon her head, the attendant, O Brahmin, related in full, from beginning to end, all that Kamala had said —

Verse 46 (padma.4.11.46)

तत्सर्वं कथयामास राज्ञीं सुरतिचंद्रिकाम् । द्वारपालीवचः श्रुत्वा राज्ञी सुरतिचंद्रिका ।

tatsarvaṁ kathayāmāsa rājñīṁ suraticaṁdrikām dvārapālīvacaḥ śrutvā rājñī suraticaṁdrikā

— she told it all to Queen Suraticandrika. Hearing the doorkeeper's words, Queen Suraticandrika —

Verse 47 (padma.4.11.47)

जगाम ब्राह्मणीपार्श्वं सगर्वा प्राह सुंदर । राज्ञ्युवाच । वृद्धे ब्राह्मणि किं वृत्तं चोपदेशार्थमागता ।

jagāma brāhmaṇīpārśvaṁ sagarvā prāha suṁdara rājñyuvāca vṛddhe brāhmaṇi kiṁ vṛttaṁ copadeśārthamāgatā

— filled with pride, went to the Brahmin woman and spoke, O handsome one. The queen said: "O old Brahmin woman, what is the matter — have you come to give instruction?"

Verse 48 (padma.4.11.48)

कथयस्व चिरं मह्यं भयं त्यक्त्वा यथासुखम् । ब्राह्मण्युवाच । तवानीतिमहं दृष्ट्वा गंतुमिच्छामि चंचला ।

kathayasva ciraṁ mahyaṁ bhayaṁ tyaktvā yathāsukham brāhmaṇyuvāca tavānītimahaṁ dṛṣṭvā gaṁtumicchāmi caṁcalā

"Tell me at length, without fear, at your ease." The Brahmin woman said: "Seeing your unrighteousness, restless as I am, I now wish to leave."

Verse 49 (padma.4.11.49)

कथयिष्यामि किं दुष्टे व्रतं परमदुर्लभम् । इंदिरावासरे चाद्य चांडालेन करोषि यत् ।

kathayiṣyāmi kiṁ duṣṭe vrataṁ paramadurlabham iṁdirāvāsare cādya cāṁḍālena karoṣi yat

"O wicked one, what shall I tell you of this most rare vow, when today, on Indira's own sacred day, you consort even with an outcaste,"

Verse 50 (padma.4.11.50)

तद्दृष्टं मयि का दुष्टे तद्गेहे गर्वितेऽधुना । तच्छ्रुत्वा ब्राह्मणीवाक्यं क्रोधसंरक्तलोचना ।

taddṛṣṭaṁ mayi kā duṣṭe tadgehe garvite'dhunā tacchrutvā brāhmaṇīvākyaṁ krodhasaṁraktalocanā

"— which I myself have seen, O wicked and proud one, in that very house." Hearing the Brahmin woman's words, the queen, her eyes red with fury —

Verse 51 (padma.4.11.51)

जरंतीं ब्राह्मणीं चैव प्रहारं च चकार सा । ततः सा कमला वृद्धा क्रंदमाना पलायिता ।

jaraṁtīṁ brāhmaṇīṁ caiva prahāraṁ ca cakāra sā tataḥ sā kamalā vṛddhā kraṁdamānā palāyitā

— struck the old Brahmin woman. Then that aged Kamala fled from there, weeping.

Verse 52 (padma.4.11.52)

क्रीडमाना ततः श्यामा ब्राह्मणीक्रन्दनध्वनिम् । आगतास्याः समीपं तु श्रुत्वा बाला तपोधना ।

krīḍamānā tataḥ śyāmā brāhmaṇīkrandanadhvanim āgatāsyāḥ samīpaṁ tu śrutvā bālā tapodhanā

Then Shyama, who was playing nearby, hearing the sound of the Brahmin woman's weeping — that ascetic-hearted girl came near to her.

Verse 53 (padma.4.11.53)

श्यामाबालोवाच । वृद्धे व्यथेदृशी केन दत्ता तुभ्यं वदस्व मे । तस्या वचनमाकर्ण्य शोकगद्गदया गिरा ।

śyāmābālovāca vṛddhe vyathedṛśī kena dattā tubhyaṁ vadasva me tasyā vacanamākarṇya śokagadgadayā girā

Shyamabala said: "O elder, who has caused you such suffering? Tell me." Hearing her words, in a voice choked with grief —

Verse 54 (padma.4.11.54)

कमला कथितं सर्वं वृत्तांतं द्विजसत्तम । श्यामाबाला ततः श्रुत्वा व्रतं परमदुर्ल्लभम् ।

kamalā kathitaṁ sarvaṁ vṛttāṁtaṁ dvijasattama śyāmābālā tataḥ śrutvā vrataṁ paramadurllabham

— Kamala told her the whole matter, O best of Brahmins. Shyamabala, hearing of that most rare vow —

Verse 55 (padma.4.11.55)

शास्त्रोक्तविधिना चक्रे सश्रद्धं च सभक्तितः । त्रिवारे परिपूर्णे तु तुर्यवारे समागते ।

śāstroktavidhinā cakre saśraddhaṁ ca sabhaktitaḥ trivāre paripūrṇe tu turyavāre samāgate

— performed it according to scriptural rule, with faith and devotion. When three occasions had been completed and the fourth had come —

Verse 56 (padma.4.11.56)

विवाहकर्मसंसिद्धं द्विजलक्ष्मीप्रसादतः । श्रीसिद्धेश्वरदेवस्य नृपतेर्भूपतेजसः ।

vivāhakarmasaṁsiddhaṁ dvijalakṣmīprasādataḥ śrīsiddheśvaradevasya nṛpaterbhūpatejasaḥ

— by the grace of the Brahmins and of Lakshmi, her marriage was accomplished, to the son of the splendid King Siddheshvaradeva —

Verse 57 (padma.4.11.57)

मालाधरो नाम सुतो गृहीत्वा तां गृहं गतः । अथ तस्यां गतायां तु ब्रह्मन्शृणुष्व कौतुकम् ।

mālādharo nāma suto gṛhītvā tāṁ gṛhaṁ gataḥ atha tasyāṁ gatāyāṁ tu brahmanśṛṇuṣva kautukam

— the son named Maladhara took her and brought her to his home. Now that she had gone there, O Brahmin, hear the wonder that followed.

Verse 58 (padma.4.11.58)

राज्ञीगृहे च सर्वाणि स्थितानि सुबहूनि च । द्रव्याणि केन नीतानि न ज्ञातान्यपि भूसुर ।

rājñīgṛhe ca sarvāṇi sthitāni subahūni ca dravyāṇi kena nītāni na jñātānyapi bhūsura

In the queen's house, all the many possessions that had remained there — by whom they were taken, no one, O best of Brahmins, could tell.

Verse 59 (padma.4.11.59)

निर्वित्ता बुद्धिहीना सा चान्नवस्त्रविवर्जिता । उपविष्टा च केनापि गंतुं च दुहितुर्गृहम् ।

nirvittā buddhihīnā sā cānnavastravivarjitā upaviṣṭā ca kenāpi gaṁtuṁ ca duhiturgṛham

Reduced to poverty and bereft of sense, deprived of food and clothing, she was made, by someone's urging, to prepare to go to her daughter's house.

Verse 60 (padma.4.11.60)

प्रेषयामास भर्त्तारं किंचित्प्रार्थनहेतवे । तस्य मालाधरस्यापि ग्रामे च सरसीतटे ।

preṣayāmāsa bharttāraṁ kiṁcitprārthanahetave tasya mālādharasyāpi grāme ca sarasītaṭe

She sent her husband ahead for some request. He, on the way to Maladhara's village, at the bank of a lake,

Verse 61 (padma.4.11.61)

कालेन कियता विप्र प्रविवेश च कष्टतः । तस्माज्जलं समानेतुं तस्या दास्यः समागताः । तं दृष्ट्वा दुःखिनां श्रेष्ठं पप्रच्छुः सानुकंपिताः ।

kālena kiyatā vipra praviveśa ca kaṣṭataḥ tasmājjalaṁ samānetuṁ tasyā dāsyaḥ samāgatāḥ taṁ dṛṣṭvā duḥkhināṁ śreṣṭhaṁ papracchuḥ sānukaṁpitāḥ

— after some time, O Brahmin, entered with great hardship. The maidservants who had come there to fetch water, seeing that wretched man, asked him with compassion.

Verse 62 (padma.4.11.62)

दास्य ऊचुः । कस्त्वं कुतः समायातो मांसरक्तविवर्ज्जितः । रूक्षांगो रूक्षकेशश्च तत्सर्वं कथयस्व नः ।

dāsya ūcuḥ kastvaṁ kutaḥ samāyāto māṁsaraktavivarjjitaḥ rūkṣāṁgo rūkṣakeśaśca tatsarvaṁ kathayasva naḥ

The maidservants said: "Who are you, and from where have you come, bereft of flesh and blood, your body and hair so rough and unkempt? Tell us everything."

Verse 63 (padma.4.11.63)

दरिद्र उवाच । श्यामाबालापिता चाहं सौराष्ट्रनगरागतः । कथयध्वं च भो दास्यः श्यामाबालासमीपतः ।

daridra uvāca śyāmābālāpitā cāhaṁ saurāṣṭranagarāgataḥ kathayadhvaṁ ca bho dāsyaḥ śyāmābālāsamīpataḥ

The poor man said: "I am Shyamabala's father, come from the city of Saurashtra. Tell her, O maidservants — go to Shyamabala."

Verse 64 (padma.4.11.64)

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य कौतूहलसमन्विताः । परस्परमुखाः सर्वा जहसुः स्वपुरं गताः ।

tacchrutvā vacanaṁ tasya kautūhalasamanvitāḥ parasparamukhāḥ sarvā jahasuḥ svapuraṁ gatāḥ

Hearing his words, filled with astonishment, they all looked at one another, laughed, and returned home.

Verse 65 (padma.4.11.65)

श्यामाबाला च कथितं सर्वं वृत्तं च भो द्विज । श्रुत्वैतद्वचनं तासां प्रेषयामास सेवकान् ।

śyāmābālā ca kathitaṁ sarvaṁ vṛttaṁ ca bho dvija śrutvaitadvacanaṁ tāsāṁ preṣayāmāsa sevakān

They told Shyamabala the whole matter, O Brahmin. Hearing this, she sent servants to fetch him.

Verse 66 (padma.4.11.66)

पुष्पतैलं दिव्यवस्त्रं चंदनं पर्णवीटिकाम् । घोटकं च तथा दत्वा पितरं प्रति सुंदरी ।

puṣpatailaṁ divyavastraṁ caṁdanaṁ parṇavīṭikām ghoṭakaṁ ca tathā datvā pitaraṁ prati suṁdarī

That beautiful woman sent, for her father, flower-oil, fine garments, sandal-paste, betel leaves —

Verse 67 (padma.4.11.67)

गत्वाथ सर्वे ते भृत्याः कृत्वा सुवेषमुत्तमम् । श्यामाबालागृहं निन्युर्देवराजगृहोपमम् ।

gatvātha sarve te bhṛtyāḥ kṛtvā suveṣamuttamam śyāmābālāgṛhaṁ ninyurdevarājagṛhopamam

— and even a horse. Then all those servants went, dressed him in excellent attire, and brought him, as if to the abode of the king of gods —

Verse 68 (padma.4.11.68)

श्यामाबाला ततश्चैव पितरं दुखिनां वरम् । श्याल्यन्नं सघृतं चैव भोजयामास यत्नतः ।

śyāmābālā tataścaiva pitaraṁ dukhināṁ varam śyālyannaṁ saghṛtaṁ caiva bhojayāmāsa yatnataḥ

— to Shyamabala's house. Then Shyamabala carefully fed her father, foremost among the sorrowful, with fine rice and ghee.

Verse 69 (padma.4.11.69)

तुर्येषु समतीतेषु दिवसेषु तपोधन । प्रेषयामास तं दत्वा गुप्तपात्रस्थितं धनम् ।

turyeṣu samatīteṣu divaseṣu tapodhana preṣayāmāsa taṁ datvā guptapātrasthitaṁ dhanam

When four days had passed, O ascetic, she sent him off, giving him wealth concealed in a covered vessel.

Verse 70 (padma.4.11.70)

ततः प्रविश्य स्वगृहे धनं पात्रान्तरस्थितम् । ददर्शांगारनिचयं रुरोद भृशदुःखितः ।

tataḥ praviśya svagṛhe dhanaṁ pātrāntarasthitam dadarśāṁgāranicayaṁ ruroda bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ

Then, entering his own house and looking at the wealth kept within the vessel, he found only a heap of charcoal, and, deeply grieved, he wept.

Verse 71 (padma.4.11.71)

दुहितुः सदनं यातुं निःससार गृहागतः । तत्रैव सरसीकूले प्रविवेश च दुःखिनी ।

duhituḥ sadanaṁ yātuṁ niḥsasāra gṛhāgataḥ tatraiva sarasīkūle praviveśa ca duḥkhinī

He set out again from home to go to his daughter's house. There, at the very bank of the lake, that sorrowful mother too arrived.

Verse 72 (padma.4.11.72)

तथैनां च समानीतां यथा स्याः प्राणवल्लभाम् । तथैव पूजयामास मातृस्नेहात्पतिव्रता ।

tathaināṁ ca samānītāṁ yathā syāḥ prāṇavallabhām tathaiva pūjayāmāsa mātṛsnehātpativratā

That devoted daughter Shyamabala likewise brought her in and, out of motherly love, honored her exactly as if she were her own dearest life.

Verse 73 (padma.4.11.73)

एतस्मिन्समये विप्र लक्ष्मीवासरमुत्तमम् । श्यामाबाला कारयितुं मनश्चक्रे च मातरम् ।

etasminsamaye vipra lakṣmīvāsaramuttamam śyāmābālā kārayituṁ manaścakre ca mātaram

At this time, O Brahmin, Shyamabala resolved to have her mother observe that excellent vow of Lakshmi.

Verse 74 (padma.4.11.74)

तस्या माता दरिद्राणि भुक्त्वा वैकांतिकेपि च । शावकानां तु चोच्छिष्टं लक्ष्मीकोपसमन्विता ।

tasyā mātā daridrāṇi bhuktvā vaikāṁtikepi ca śāvakānāṁ tu cocchiṣṭaṁ lakṣmīkopasamanvitā

Her mother, who in her earlier poverty had even eaten, in solitude, the leftovers meant for young animals, was still under the weight of Lakshmi's displeasure —

Verse 75 (padma.4.11.75)

इंदिरायास्तृतीयानि वासराणि गतान्यपि । चतुर्थवासरे तां तत्कारयामास सा दृढम् ।

iṁdirāyāstṛtīyāni vāsarāṇi gatānyapi caturthavāsare tāṁ tatkārayāmāsa sā dṛḍham

— though the first three Thursdays sacred to Indira had already passed, on the fourth Shyamabala firmly had her mother perform that vow.

Verse 76 (padma.4.11.76)

आगता नगरं सा वै राज्ञी सुरतिचंद्रिका । दृष्ट्वा गृहं तथा दिव्यमिंदिरायाः प्रसादतः ।

āgatā nagaraṁ sā vai rājñī suraticaṁdrikā dṛṣṭvā gṛhaṁ tathā divyamiṁdirāyāḥ prasādataḥ

When Queen Suraticandrika came to the city and saw the house made so divine by Indira's grace —

Verse 77 (padma.4.11.77)

श्यामाबाला च विप्रेंद्र कदाचित्समये पुनः । मातुर्गृहं गता चाथ ऐश्वर्यस्य दिदृक्षया ।

śyāmābālā ca vipreṁdra kadācitsamaye punaḥ māturgṛhaṁ gatā cātha aiśvaryasya didṛkṣayā

— then, O foremost of Brahmins, once again Shyamabala went to her mother's house, wishing to see her prosperity.

Verse 78 (padma.4.11.78)

श्यामाबालां ततो दूराद्दृष्ट्वा संकुपिता च सा । न पश्यामि मुखं तस्या इत्युक्त्वालक्षिता स्थिता ।

śyāmābālāṁ tato dūrāddṛṣṭvā saṁkupitā ca sā na paśyāmi mukhaṁ tasyā ityuktvālakṣitā sthitā

Seeing her from afar, the mother grew angry and, saying "I will not look upon her face," stood hidden.

Verse 79 (padma.4.11.79)

गत्वा गृहांतरालं च गृहीत्वा सैंधवं च सा । आगता स्वगृहं किंचित्तूष्णीं लक्ष्मीसमाश्रितम् ।

gatvā gṛhāṁtarālaṁ ca gṛhītvā saiṁdhavaṁ ca sā āgatā svagṛhaṁ kiṁcittūṣṇīṁ lakṣmīsamāśritam

Going into an inner room, she took some rock-salt and came back quietly into her own house, resting on Lakshmi's grace, carrying that little.

Verse 80 (padma.4.11.80)

राजा स्वामी च पप्रच्छ तां साध्वीं पतिदेवताम् । किमानीतं त्वया कांते कथयस्व ममाग्रतः ।

rājā svāmī ca papraccha tāṁ sādhvīṁ patidevatām kimānītaṁ tvayā kāṁte kathayasva mamāgrataḥ

The king, her husband, asked that virtuous, devoted wife: "What have you brought, my beloved? Tell me."

Verse 81 (padma.4.11.81)

कांतोवाच । राज्यसारं समानीतं दर्शयिष्यामि भोजने । इत्युक्त्वा सा तदा पाकं कृत्वा च लवणं विना ।

kāṁtovāca rājyasāraṁ samānītaṁ darśayiṣyāmi bhojane ityuktvā sā tadā pākaṁ kṛtvā ca lavaṇaṁ vinā

His beloved said: "I have brought the very essence of the kingdom; I shall show it at the meal." So saying, she then cooked the food without salt,

Verse 82 (padma.4.11.82)

अन्नादिकं ततो दत्वा मालाधराय भूभुजे । ततो मालाधरो राजा व्यंजनं लवणवर्जितम् ।

annādikaṁ tato datvā mālādharāya bhūbhuje tato mālādharo rājā vyaṁjanaṁ lavaṇavarjitam

— and served the rice and other dishes to King Maladhara. Then King Maladhara, eating those saltless dishes —

Verse 83 (padma.4.11.83)

भुक्त्वा वैगुण्यतां प्राप्तो राज्यसारं ददौ च सा । तदा हृष्टमना राजा भोजनं कृतवान्द्विज ।

bhuktvā vaiguṇyatāṁ prāpto rājyasāraṁ dadau ca sā tadā hṛṣṭamanā rājā bhojanaṁ kṛtavāndvija

— found them flavorless; then she gave him the essence of the kingdom, the salt. Then, delighted, the king ate his meal, O Brahmin.

Verse 84 (padma.4.11.84)

प्रशशंस च तां नारीं धन्याधन्या इति ब्रुवन् । एतद्व्रतं च या नारी न करोति महादरात् ।

praśaśaṁsa ca tāṁ nārīṁ dhanyādhanyā iti bruvan etadvrataṁ ca yā nārī na karoti mahādarāt

He praised that woman, saying, "Blessed, most blessed is she!" Whatever woman does not perform this vow with great reverence —

Verse 85 (padma.4.11.85)

जन्मजन्मनि सा नारी दरिद्रा दुर्भगा भवेत् । इदं या शृणुयाद्भक्त्या पठेद्यो वा समाहितः ।

janmajanmani sā nārī daridrā durbhagā bhavet idaṁ yā śṛṇuyādbhaktyā paṭhedyo vā samāhitaḥ

— that woman shall be poor and unfortunate birth after birth. Whoever hears this account with devotion, or recites it with a composed mind,

Verse 86 (padma.4.11.86)

सर्वपापैर्विनिर्मुक्तो लक्ष्मीलोकं लभेच्च सः । इमां व्रतकथां या तु न श्रुत्वा क्रियते व्रतम् । तस्या व्रतफलं चैव नश्यत्येव न संशयः ।

sarvapāpairvinirmukto lakṣmīlokaṁ labhecca saḥ imāṁ vratakathāṁ yā tu na śrutvā kriyate vratam tasyā vrataphalaṁ caiva naśyatyeva na saṁśayaḥ

is freed from all sins and attains the world of Lakshmi. But whoever performs this vow without hearing this account of it — the fruit of that vow is surely destroyed; of this there is no doubt.