The Dharma of the Devoted Wife

Verse 1 (shiva.rudra.117.1)

ब्रह्मोवाच । अथ सप्तर्षयस्ते च प्रोचुर्हिमगिरीश्वरम् । कारय स्वात्मजादेव्या यात्रामद्योचितां गिरे

brahmovāca atha saptarṣayaste ca procurhimagirīśvaram kāraya svātmajādevyā yātrāmadyocitāṁ gire

Brahma said: "Then those Seven Sages said to the Lord of the Snowy Mountain: 'O Mountain, arrange today the fitting departure of your own daughter, the Goddess.'"

Verse 2 (shiva.rudra.117.2)

इति श्रुत्वा गिरीशो हि बुद्ध्वा तद्विरहं परम् । विषण्णोऽभून्महाप्रेम्णा कियत्कालं मुनीश्वर

iti śrutvā girīśo hi buddhvā tadvirahaṁ param viṣaṇṇo'bhūnmahāpremṇā kiyatkālaṁ munīśvara

"Hearing this, O lord of sages, the Lord of the mountain, realizing the depth of separation from her, became sorrowful for some time out of his great love."

Verse 3 (shiva.rudra.117.3)

कियत्कालेन सम्प्राप्य चेतनां शैलराट् ततः । तथास्त्विति गिरामुक्त्वा मेनां सन्देशमब्रवीत्

kiyatkālena samprāpya cetanāṁ śailarāṭ tataḥ tathāstviti girāmuktvā menāṁ sandeśamabravīt

"After some time, the King of Mountains, regaining his composure, said 'So be it,' and told Mena the message."

Verse 4 (shiva.rudra.117.4)

शैलसन्देशमाकर्ण्य हर्षशोकवशा मुने । मेना संयापयामास कर्तुमासीत्समुद्यता

śailasandeśamākarṇya harṣaśokavaśā mune menā saṁyāpayāmāsa kartumāsītsamudyatā

"Hearing the Mountain's message, O sage, Mena, overcome by both joy and sorrow, prepared herself, ready to carry it out."

Verse 5 (shiva.rudra.117.5)

श्रुतिस्वकुलजाचारं चचार विधिवन्मुने । उत्सवं विविधं तत्र सा मेना क्षितिभृत्प्रिया

śrutisvakulajācāraṁ cacāra vidhivanmune utsavaṁ vividhaṁ tatra sā menā kṣitibhṛtpriyā

"O sage, she duly observed the customs known to her own lineage, and Mena, the beloved of the mountain, made manifold celebration there."

Verse 6 (shiva.rudra.117.6)

गिरिजां भूषयामास नानारत्नांशुकैर्वरैः । द्वादशाभरणैश्चैव शृङ्गारैर्नृपसम्मितैः

girijāṁ bhūṣayāmāsa nānāratnāṁśukairvaraiḥ dvādaśābharaṇaiścaiva śṛṅgārairnṛpasammitaiḥ

"She adorned Girija with manifold fine jewels and garments, with the twelve ornaments, and with adornments befitting a queen."

Verse 7 (shiva.rudra.117.7)

मेनामनोगतिं बुद्ध्वा साध्व्येका द्विजकामिनी । गिरिजां शिक्षयामास पातिव्रत्यव्रतं परम्

menāmanogatiṁ buddhvā sādhvyekā dvijakāminī girijāṁ śikṣayāmāsa pātivratyavrataṁ param

"Knowing Mena's state of mind, one virtuous brahmin woman instructed Girija in the supreme vow of chastity toward her husband."

Verse 8 (shiva.rudra.117.8)

द्विजपत्न्युवाच । गिरिजे शृणु सुप्रीत्या मद्वचो धर्मवर्धनम् । इहामुत्रानन्दकरं शृण्वतां च सुखप्रदम्

dvijapatnyuvāca girije śṛṇu suprītyā madvaco dharmavardhanam ihāmutrānandakaraṁ śṛṇvatāṁ ca sukhapradam

The brahmin's wife said: "O Girija, listen lovingly to my words, which increase dharma, which bring joy here and hereafter, and give happiness to those who hear them."

Verse 9 (shiva.rudra.117.9)

धन्या पतिव्रता नारी नान्या पूज्या विशेषतः । पावनी सर्वलोकानां सर्वपापौघनाशिनी

dhanyā pativratā nārī nānyā pūjyā viśeṣataḥ pāvanī sarvalokānāṁ sarvapāpaughanāśinī

"Blessed is the woman devoted to her husband; no other is especially worthy of worship; she purifies all worlds and destroys the flood of all sins."

Verse 10 (shiva.rudra.117.10)

सेवते या पतिं प्रेम्णा परमेश्वरवच्छिवे । इह भुक्त्वाखिलान् भोगानन्ते पत्या शिवां गतिम्

sevate yā patiṁ premṇā parameśvaravacchive iha bhuktvākhilān bhogānante patyā śivāṁ gatim

"O Shiva (Parvati), she who serves her husband with love as if he were the Supreme Lord — having enjoyed all pleasures here, attains, together with her husband, the auspicious final state."

Verse 11 (shiva.rudra.117.11)

पतिव्रता च सावित्री लोपामुद्रा ह्यरुन्धती । शाण्डिल्या शतरूपानसूया लक्ष्मीः स्वधा सती

pativratā ca sāvitrī lopāmudrā hyarundhatī śāṇḍilyā śatarūpānasūyā lakṣmīḥ svadhā satī

"Chaste wives are Savitri, Lopamudra, Arundhati, Shandilya, Shatarupa, Anasuya, Lakshmi, Svadha, and Sati."

Verse 12 (shiva.rudra.117.12)

संज्ञा च सुमतिः श्रद्धा मेना स्वाहा तथैव च । अन्या बह्व्योऽपि साध्व्यो हि नोक्ता विस्तारजाद्भयात्

saṁjñā ca sumatiḥ śraddhā menā svāhā tathaiva ca anyā bahvyo'pi sādhvyo hi noktā vistārajādbhayāt

"Samjna, Sumati, Shraddha, Mena, and Svaha likewise; there are many other virtuous women too, not named here for fear of too great a length."

Verse 13 (shiva.rudra.117.13)

पातिव्रत्यवृषेणैव ता गताः सर्वपूज्यताम् । ब्रह्मविष्णुहरैश्चापि मान्या जाता मुनीश्वरैः

pātivratyavṛṣeṇaiva tā gatāḥ sarvapūjyatām brahmaviṣṇuharaiścāpi mānyā jātā munīśvaraiḥ

"By the merit of chastity alone, they attained worship by all, and became honored even by Brahma, Vishnu, and Hara, and by the lords of sages."

Verse 14 (shiva.rudra.117.14)

सेव्यस्त्वया पतिस्तस्मात्सर्वदा शङ्करः प्रभुः । दीनानुग्रहकर्ता च सर्वसेव्यः सतां गतिः

sevyastvayā patistasmātsarvadā śaṅkaraḥ prabhuḥ dīnānugrahakartā ca sarvasevyaḥ satāṁ gatiḥ

"Therefore your husband, Lord Shankara, is ever to be served by you — he who shows grace to the humble, who is to be served by all, the refuge of the virtuous."

Verse 15 (shiva.rudra.117.15)

महान्पतिव्रताधर्मः श्रुतिस्मृतिषु नोदितः । यथैष वर्ण्यते श्रेष्ठो न तथान्योऽस्ति निश्चितम्

mahānpativratādharmaḥ śrutismṛtiṣu noditaḥ yathaiṣa varṇyate śreṣṭho na tathānyo'sti niścitam

"Great is the dharma of the devoted wife, as declared in the Shruti and Smriti scriptures; as it is described to be the highest, so, assuredly, there is no other equal to it."

Verse 16 (shiva.rudra.117.16)

भुञ्ज्याद्भुक्ते प्रिये पत्यौ पातिव्रत्यपरायणा । तिष्ठेत्तस्मिंञ्छिवे नारी सर्वथा सति तिष्ठति

bhuñjyādbhukte priye patyau pātivratyaparāyaṇā tiṣṭhettasmiṁñchive nārī sarvathā sati tiṣṭhati

"O Shiva (Parvati), the woman devoted to chastity should eat only after her beloved husband has eaten; while he lives, she should in every way conduct herself accordingly."

Verse 17 (shiva.rudra.117.17)

स्वप्यात्स्वपिति सा नित्यं बुध्येत्तु प्रथमं सुधीः । सर्वदा तद्धितं कुर्यादकैतवगतिः प्रिया

svapyātsvapiti sā nityaṁ budhyettu prathamaṁ sudhīḥ sarvadā taddhitaṁ kuryādakaitavagatiḥ priyā

"She should sleep only when he sleeps, but as a wise woman she should always wake first; the beloved, of guileless conduct, should always do what is good for him."

Verse 18 (shiva.rudra.117.18)

अनलङ्कृतमात्मानं दर्शयेन्न क्वचिच्छिवे । कार्यार्थं प्रोषिते तस्मिन् भवेन्मण्डनवर्जिता

analaṅkṛtamātmānaṁ darśayenna kvacicchive kāryārthaṁ proṣite tasmin bhavenmaṇḍanavarjitā

"O Shiva (Parvati), she should never show herself unadorned; but when he is away on business, she should remain free of ornament."

Verse 19 (shiva.rudra.117.19)

पत्युर्नाम न गृह्णीयात् कदाचन पतिव्रता । आक्रुष्टापि न चाक्रोशेत्प्रसीदेत्ताडितापि च ॥ हन्यतामिति च ब्रूयात्स्वामिन्निति कृपां कुरु

patyurnāma na gṛhṇīyāt kadācana pativratā ākruṣṭāpi na cākrośetprasīdettāḍitāpi ca hanyatāmiti ca brūyātsvāminniti kṛpāṁ kuru

"A devoted wife should never utter her husband's name aloud; even if reviled, she should not revile back, and even if struck, she should remain composed, saying only, 'My lord, though you strike me, show mercy.'"

Verse 20 (shiva.rudra.117.20)

आहूता गृहकार्याणि त्यक्त्वा गच्छेत्तदन्तिकम् । सत्वरं साञ्जलिः प्रीत्या सुप्रणम्य वदेदिति

āhūtā gṛhakāryāṇi tyaktvā gacchettadantikam satvaraṁ sāñjaliḥ prītyā supraṇamya vadediti

"When called, she should leave her household tasks and go to him at once, with joined palms and love, and, having bowed well, should speak thus --"

Verse 21 (shiva.rudra.117.21)

किमर्थं व्याहृता नाथ स प्रसादो विधीयताम् । तदादिष्टा चरेत्कर्म सुप्रसन्नेन चेतसा

kimarthaṁ vyāhṛtā nātha sa prasādo vidhīyatām tadādiṣṭā caretkarma suprasannena cetasā

"'Why have you called me, my lord? Grant me that instruction.' And, thus commanded, she should carry out the task with a fully contented heart."

Verse 22 (shiva.rudra.117.22)

चिरं तिष्ठेन्न च द्वारे गच्छेन्नैव परालये । आदाय तत्त्वं यत्किञ्चित्कस्मैचिन्नार्पयेत्क्वचित्

ciraṁ tiṣṭhenna ca dvāre gacchennaiva parālaye ādāya tattvaṁ yatkiñcitkasmaicinnārpayetkvacit

"She should not linger long at the door, nor go to another's house; and having taken anything of value, she should never hand it over to anyone without her husband's leave."

Verse 23 (shiva.rudra.117.23)

पूजोपकरणं सर्वमनुक्ता साधयेत्स्वयम् । प्रतीक्षमाणावसरं यथाकालोचितं हितम्

pūjopakaraṇaṁ sarvamanuktā sādhayetsvayam pratīkṣamāṇāvasaraṁ yathākālocitaṁ hitam

"Even unbidden, she should herself prepare all the materials for worship, watching for the right occasion, doing what is fitting and beneficial according to the time."

Verse 24 (shiva.rudra.117.24)

न गच्छेत्तीर्थयात्रां वै पत्याज्ञां न विना क्वचित् । दूरतो वर्जयेत्सा हि समाजोत्सवदर्शनम्

na gacchettīrthayātrāṁ vai patyājñāṁ na vinā kvacit dūrato varjayetsā hi samājotsavadarśanam

"She should never go on pilgrimage without her husband's permission; and she should keep far away from watching public gatherings and festivals."

Verse 25 (shiva.rudra.117.25)

तीर्थार्थिनी तु या नारी पतिपादोदकं पिबेत् । तस्मिन्सर्वाणि तीर्थानि क्षेत्राणि च न संशयः

tīrthārthinī tu yā nārī patipādodakaṁ pibet tasminsarvāṇi tīrthāni kṣetrāṇi ca na saṁśayaḥ

"The woman who desires the merit of pilgrimage should instead drink the water that has washed her husband's feet; in that alone are all sacred fords and holy places, without doubt."

Verse 26 (shiva.rudra.117.26)

भुञ्ज्यात्सा भर्तुरुच्छिष्टमिष्टमन्नादिकं च यत् । महाप्रसाद इत्युक्त्वा पतिदत्तं पतिव्रता

bhuñjyātsā bharturucchiṣṭamiṣṭamannādikaṁ ca yat mahāprasāda ityuktvā patidattaṁ pativratā

"The devoted wife should eat her husband's leavings and whatever food he gives her, calling it the greatest of blessings."

Verse 27 (shiva.rudra.117.27)

अविभज्य न चाश्नीयाद्देवपित्रतिथिष्वपि । परिचारकवर्गेषु गोषु भिक्षुकुलेषु च

avibhajya na cāśnīyāddevapitratithiṣvapi paricārakavargeṣu goṣu bhikṣukuleṣu ca

"She should not eat without first sharing — with the gods, the ancestors, guests, the servants, the cows, and the families of mendicants."

Verse 28 (shiva.rudra.117.28)

संयतोपस्करा दक्षा हृष्टा व्ययपराङ्मुखी । भवेत्सा सर्वदा देवी पतिव्रतपरायणा

saṁyatopaskarā dakṣā hṛṣṭā vyayaparāṅmukhī bhavetsā sarvadā devī pativrataparāyaṇā

"That goddess-like woman, devoted to chastity, should always keep her household implements in order, be skillful and cheerful, and averse to needless expense."

Verse 29 (shiva.rudra.117.29)

कुर्यात्पत्यननुज्ञाता नोपवासव्रतादिकम् । अन्यथा तत्फलं नास्ति परत्र नरकं व्रजेत्

kuryātpatyananujñātā nopavāsavratādikam anyathā tatphalaṁ nāsti paratra narakaṁ vrajet

"Without her husband's permission she should not undertake fasts, vows, and the like; otherwise there is no merit in them, and hereafter she goes to hell."

Verse 30 (shiva.rudra.117.30)

सुखपूर्वं सुखासीनं रममाणं यदृच्छया । आन्तरेष्वपि कार्येषु पतिं नोत्थापयेत्क्वचित्

sukhapūrvaṁ sukhāsīnaṁ ramamāṇaṁ yadṛcchayā āntareṣvapi kāryeṣu patiṁ notthāpayetkvacit

"When her husband is comfortably seated, enjoying himself at ease, she should never make him rise, even for household matters."

Verse 31 (shiva.rudra.117.31)

क्लीबं वा दुरवस्थं वा व्याधितं वृद्धमेव च । सुखितं दुःखितं वापि पतिमेकं न लङ्घयेत्

klībaṁ vā duravasthaṁ vā vyādhitaṁ vṛddhameva ca sukhitaṁ duḥkhitaṁ vāpi patimekaṁ na laṅghayet

"Whether impotent, in ill circumstance, sick, or aged, whether happy or sorrowful, she should never disregard her one husband."

Verse 32 (shiva.rudra.117.32)

स्त्रीधर्मिणी त्रिरात्रं च स्वमुखं नैव दर्शयेत् । स्ववाक्यं श्रावयेन्नापि यावत्स्नानान्न शुध्यति

strīdharmiṇī trirātraṁ ca svamukhaṁ naiva darśayet svavākyaṁ śrāvayennāpi yāvatsnānānna śudhyati

"During her monthly courses, for three nights, she should not show her face, nor let her voice be heard, until she is purified by bathing."

Verse 33 (shiva.rudra.117.33)

सुस्नाता भर्तृवदनमीक्षेतान्यस्य न क्वचित् । अथवा मनसि ध्यात्वा पतिं भानुं विलोकयेत्

susnātā bhartṛvadanamīkṣetānyasya na kvacit athavā manasi dhyātvā patiṁ bhānuṁ vilokayet

"Having bathed well, she should look upon her husband's face and no other's; or else, meditating on her husband in her mind, she may look upon the sun."

Verse 34 (shiva.rudra.117.34)

हरिद्राकुङ्कुमं चैव सिन्दूरं कज्जलादिकम् । कूर्पासकं च ताम्बूलं माङ्गल्याभरणादिकम्

haridrākuṅkumaṁ caiva sindūraṁ kajjalādikam kūrpāsakaṁ ca tāmbūlaṁ māṅgalyābharaṇādikam

"Turmeric and vermilion powder, sindoor, collyrium and the like, the bodice, betel, and auspicious ornaments --"

Verse 35 (shiva.rudra.117.35)

केशसंस्कारकबरीकरकर्णादिभूषणम् । भर्तुरायुष्यमिच्छन्ती दूरयेन्न पतिव्रता

keśasaṁskārakabarīkarakarṇādibhūṣaṇam bharturāyuṣyamicchantī dūrayenna pativratā

"-- hair-dressing, braiding, and ornaments for hand and ear -- a devoted wife who desires her husband's long life should never give these up."

Verse 36 (shiva.rudra.117.36)

न रजक्या न बन्धक्या तथा श्रमणया न च । न च दुर्भगया क्वापि सखित्वं कारयेत् क्वचित्

na rajakyā na bandhakyā tathā śramaṇayā na ca na ca durbhagayā kvāpi sakhitvaṁ kārayet kvacit

"She should never form friendship with a washerwoman, a courtesan, a female ascetic, or an unfortunate woman."

Verse 37 (shiva.rudra.117.37)

पतिविद्वेषिणीं नारीं न सा सम्भाषयेत् क्वचित् । नैकाकिनी क्वचित्तिष्ठेन्नग्ना स्नायान्न च क्वचित्

patividveṣiṇīṁ nārīṁ na sā sambhāṣayet kvacit naikākinī kvacittiṣṭhennagnā snāyānna ca kvacit

"She should never converse with a woman who hates her husband; she should never remain alone anywhere, nor ever bathe unclothed."

Verse 38 (shiva.rudra.117.38)

नोलूखले न मुसले न वर्द्धन्यां दृषद्यपि । न यन्त्रके न देहल्यां सती च प्रवसेत् क्वचित्

nolūkhale na musale na varddhanyāṁ dṛṣadyapi na yantrake na dehalyāṁ satī ca pravaset kvacit

"A virtuous woman should never sit upon the mortar, the pestle, the grinding-stone, the millstone, any machine, or the threshold."

Verse 39 (shiva.rudra.117.39)

विना व्यवायसमयं प्रागल्भ्यं नाचरेत् क्वचित् । यत्र यत्र रुचिर्भर्तुस्तत्र प्रेमवती भवेत्

vinā vyavāyasamayaṁ prāgalbhyaṁ nācaret kvacit yatra yatra rucirbhartustatra premavatī bhavet

"Except at the time of intimacy, she should never behave with boldness; wherever her husband's pleasure lies, there she should be full of love."

Verse 40 (shiva.rudra.117.40)

हृष्टाहृष्टे विषण्णा स्याद्विषण्णास्ये प्रिये प्रिया । पतिव्रता भवेद्देवी सदा पतिहितैषिणी

hṛṣṭāhṛṣṭe viṣaṇṇā syādviṣaṇṇāsye priye priyā pativratā bhaveddevī sadā patihitaiṣiṇī

"When her beloved is joyful, she should be joyful; when his face is sad, the beloved should be sad; the devoted wife, goddess-like, should always seek her husband's welfare."

Verse 41 (shiva.rudra.117.41)

एकरूपा भवेत्पुण्या सम्पत्सु च विपत्सु च । विकृतिं स्वात्मनः क्वापि न कुर्याद्धैर्यधारिणी

ekarūpā bhavetpuṇyā sampatsu ca vipatsu ca vikṛtiṁ svātmanaḥ kvāpi na kuryāddhairyadhāriṇī

"The virtuous woman should remain the same in prosperity and adversity alike, never showing any change in herself, holding fast to steadfastness."

Verse 42 (shiva.rudra.117.42)

सर्पिर्लवणतैलादिक्षयेऽपि च पतिव्रता । पतिं नास्तीति न ब्रूयादायासेषु न योजयेत्

sarpirlavaṇatailādikṣaye'pi ca pativratā patiṁ nāstīti na brūyādāyāseṣu na yojayet

"Even when ghee, salt, oil, and the like run short, the devoted wife should never say 'there is nothing' to her husband, nor burden him with worries."

Verse 43 (shiva.rudra.117.43)

विधेर्विष्णोर्हराद्वापि पतिरेकोऽधिको मतः । पतिव्रताया देवेशि स्वपतिश्शिव एव च

vidherviṣṇorharādvāpi patireko'dhiko mataḥ pativratāyā deveśi svapatiśśiva eva ca

"For a devoted wife, her husband alone is held higher than Brahma, Vishnu, or Hara; O Goddess of gods, her own husband is Shiva himself."

Verse 44 (shiva.rudra.117.44)

व्रतोपवासनियमं पतिमुल्लङ्घ्य याचरेत् । आयुष्यं हरते भर्तुर्मृता निरयमृच्छति

vratopavāsaniyamaṁ patimullaṅghya yācaret āyuṣyaṁ harate bharturmṛtā nirayamṛcchati

"The woman who performs vows, fasts, and observances while disregarding her husband shortens his life, and, when she dies, goes to hell."

Verse 45 (shiva.rudra.117.45)

उक्ता प्रत्युत्तरं दद्याद्या नारी क्रोधतत्परा । सरमा जायते ग्रामे शृगाली निर्जने वने

uktā pratyuttaraṁ dadyādyā nārī krodhatatparā saramā jāyate grāme śṛgālī nirjane vane

"The woman who, when spoken to, answers back in anger, is reborn as a bitch in the village, or as a jackal in the desolate forest."

Verse 46 (shiva.rudra.117.46)

उच्चासनं न सेवेत न व्रजेद्दुष्टसन्निधौ । न च कातरवाक्यानि वदेन्नारी पतिं क्वचित्

uccāsanaṁ na seveta na vrajedduṣṭasannidhau na ca kātaravākyāni vadennārī patiṁ kvacit

"She should not use a high seat, nor go near wicked persons, nor should a woman ever speak fearful, discouraging words to her husband."

Verse 47 (shiva.rudra.117.47)

अपवादं न च ब्रूयात्कलहं दूरतस्त्यजेत् । गुरूणां सन्निधौ क्वापि नोच्चैर्ब्रूयान्न वै हसेत्

apavādaṁ na ca brūyātkalahaṁ dūratastyajet gurūṇāṁ sannidhau kvāpi noccairbrūyānna vai haset

"She should not speak slander, and should avoid quarrels from afar; in the presence of elders she should never speak loudly, nor laugh."

Verse 48 (shiva.rudra.117.48)

बाह्यादायान्तमालोक्य त्वरितान्नजलाशनैः । ताम्बूलैर्वसनैश्चापि पादसंवाहनादिभिः

bāhyādāyāntamālokya tvaritānnajalāśanaiḥ tāmbūlairvasanaiścāpi pādasaṁvāhanādibhiḥ

"Seeing him come in from outside, promptly with food, water, and refreshment, with betel and garments, and with the massaging of his feet --"

Verse 49 (shiva.rudra.117.49)

तथैव चाटुवचनैः खेदसन्नोदनैः परैः । या प्रियं प्रीणयेत्प्रीता त्रिलोकी प्रीणिता तया

tathaiva cāṭuvacanaiḥ khedasannodanaiḥ paraiḥ yā priyaṁ prīṇayetprītā trilokī prīṇitā tayā

"-- and likewise with tender, coaxing words that dispel his weariness, whichever woman thus lovingly delights her beloved has, by that very act, delighted the three worlds."

Verse 50 (shiva.rudra.117.50)

मितं ददाति जनको मितं भ्राता मितं सुतः । अमितस्य हि दातारं भर्तारं पूजयेत्सदा

mitaṁ dadāti janako mitaṁ bhrātā mitaṁ sutaḥ amitasya hi dātāraṁ bhartāraṁ pūjayetsadā

"A father gives in measured amount, a brother gives in measured amount, a son gives in measured amount; but her husband is the giver of the unmeasured -- him she should always honor."

Verse 51 (shiva.rudra.117.51)

भर्ता देवो गुरुर्भर्ता धर्मतीर्थव्रतानि च । तस्मात्सर्वं परित्यज्य पतिमेकं समर्चयेत्

bhartā devo gururbhartā dharmatīrthavratāni ca tasmātsarvaṁ parityajya patimekaṁ samarcayet

"The husband is her god, the husband is her teacher, and her dharma, her pilgrimage, and her vows; therefore, giving up all else, she should worship her husband alone."

Verse 52 (shiva.rudra.117.52)

या भर्तारं परित्यज्य रहश्चरति दुर्मतिः । उलूकी जायते क्रूरा वृक्षकोटरशायिनी

yā bhartāraṁ parityajya rahaścarati durmatiḥ ulūkī jāyate krūrā vṛkṣakoṭaraśāyinī

"The wicked-minded woman who forsakes her husband and roams about in secret is reborn as a cruel female owl, dwelling in the hollow of a tree."

Verse 53 (shiva.rudra.117.53)

ताडिता ताडितुं चेच्छेत्सा व्याघ्री वृषदंशिका । कटाक्षयति यान्यं वै केकराक्षी तु सा भवेत्

tāḍitā tāḍituṁ cecchetsā vyāghrī vṛṣadaṁśikā kaṭākṣayati yānyaṁ vai kekarākṣī tu sā bhavet

"She who, when struck, wishes to strike back, is reborn as a tigress or a mongoose; she who casts sidelong glances at another man becomes squint-eyed."

Verse 54 (shiva.rudra.117.54)

या भर्तारं परित्यज्य मिष्टमश्नाति केवलम् । ग्रामे वा सूकरी भूयाद्वल्गुर्वापि स्वविड्भुजा

yā bhartāraṁ parityajya miṣṭamaśnāti kevalam grāme vā sūkarī bhūyādvalgurvāpi svaviḍbhujā

"The woman who eats sweet food alone, apart from her husband, is reborn as a sow in the village or as a jackal that eats its own filth."

Verse 55 (shiva.rudra.117.55)

या तुं कृत्य प्रियं ब्रूयान् मूका सा जायते खलु । या सपत्नीं सदेर्ष्येत दुर्भगा सा पुनः पुनः

yā tuṁ kṛtya priyaṁ brūyān mūkā sā jāyate khalu yā sapatnīṁ saderṣyeta durbhagā sā punaḥ punaḥ

"The woman who speaks unpleasant words to her beloved is indeed reborn mute; and she who is always jealous of a co-wife becomes unfortunate, birth after birth."

Verse 56 (shiva.rudra.117.56)

दृष्टिं विलुप्य भर्त्तुर्या कश्चिदन्यं समीक्षते । काणा च विमुखी चापि कुरूपापि च जायते

dṛṣṭiṁ vilupya bhartturyā kaścidanyaṁ samīkṣate kāṇā ca vimukhī cāpi kurūpāpi ca jāyate

"The woman who, evading her husband's gaze, looks upon some other man, is reborn one-eyed, disfigured, and ugly."

Verse 57 (shiva.rudra.117.57)

जीवहीनो यथा देहः क्षणादशुचितां व्रजेत् । भर्तृहीना तथा योषित्सुस्नाताप्यशुचिः सदा

jīvahīno yathā dehaḥ kṣaṇādaśucitāṁ vrajet bhartṛhīnā tathā yoṣitsusnātāpyaśuciḥ sadā

"As a body without life becomes impure in an instant, so a woman without her husband, even if well-bathed, remains ever impure."

Verse 58 (shiva.rudra.117.58)

सा धन्या जननी लोके स धन्यो जनकः पिता । धन्यःस च पतिर्यस्य गृहे देवी पतिव्रता

sā dhanyā jananī loke sa dhanyo janakaḥ pitā dhanyaḥsa ca patiryasya gṛhe devī pativratā

"Blessed in this world is that mother, blessed is that father, and blessed is that husband, in whose house dwells a goddess-like, devoted wife."

Verse 59 (shiva.rudra.117.59)

पितृवंश्याः मातृवंश्याः पतिवंश्यास्त्रयस्त्रयः । पतिव्रतायाः पुण्येन स्वर्गे सौख्यानि भुञ्जते

pitṛvaṁśyāḥ mātṛvaṁśyāḥ pativaṁśyāstrayastrayaḥ pativratāyāḥ puṇyena svarge saukhyāni bhuñjate

"The three lineages -- of her father, of her mother, and of her husband -- through the merit of the devoted wife, enjoy happiness in heaven."

Verse 60 (shiva.rudra.117.60)

शीलभङ्गेन दुर्वृत्ताः पातयन्ति कुलत्रयम् । पितुर्मातुस्तथा पत्युरिहामुत्रापि दुःखिता

śīlabhaṅgena durvṛttāḥ pātayanti kulatrayam piturmātustathā patyurihāmutrāpi duḥkhitā

"But the wicked woman who breaks her chastity brings down all three lineages -- of father, mother, and husband -- and she herself suffers here and hereafter."

Verse 61 (shiva.rudra.117.61)

पतिव्रतायाश्चरणो यत्र यत्र स्पृशेद्भुवम् । तत्र तत्र भवेत्सा हि पापहन्त्री सुपावनी

pativratāyāścaraṇo yatra yatra spṛśedbhuvam tatra tatra bhavetsā hi pāpahantrī supāvanī

"Wherever the foot of a devoted wife touches the earth, there, indeed, she becomes a destroyer of sin and a purifier."

Verse 62 (shiva.rudra.117.62)

विभुः पतिव्रतास्पर्शं कुरुते भानुमानपि । सोमो गन्धवहश्चापि स्वपावित्र्याय नान्यथा

vibhuḥ pativratāsparśaṁ kurute bhānumānapi somo gandhavahaścāpi svapāvitryāya nānyathā

"Even the mighty sun, the moon, and the wind seek the touch of a devoted wife, for their own purification, and for no other reason."

Verse 63 (shiva.rudra.117.63)

आपः पतिव्रतास्पर्शमभिलष्यन्ति सर्वदा । अद्य जाड्यविनाशो नो जातस्त्वद्यान्यपावनाः

āpaḥ pativratāsparśamabhilaṣyanti sarvadā adya jāḍyavināśo no jātastvadyānyapāvanāḥ

"The waters ever long for the touch of a devoted wife, thinking: 'Today let our sluggishness be destroyed; other things are impure without her.'"

Verse 64 (shiva.rudra.117.64)

भार्या मूलं गृहस्थस्य भार्या मूलं सुखस्य च । भार्या धर्मफलावाप्त्यै भार्या सन्तानवृद्धये

bhāryā mūlaṁ gṛhasthasya bhāryā mūlaṁ sukhasya ca bhāryā dharmaphalāvāptyai bhāryā santānavṛddhaye

"The wife is the root of the householder's life, the wife is the root of happiness; the wife is for the attainment of the fruit of dharma, the wife is for the increase of offspring."

Verse 65 (shiva.rudra.117.65)

गृहे गृहे न किं नार्यो रूपलावण्यगर्विताः । परं विश्वेशभक्त्यैव लभ्यते स्त्री पतिव्रता

gṛhe gṛhe na kiṁ nāryo rūpalāvaṇyagarvitāḥ paraṁ viśveśabhaktyaiva labhyate strī pativratā

"Are there not, in house after house, women proud of their beauty and charm? But a truly devoted wife is attained only through devotion to the Lord of the universe."

Verse 66 (shiva.rudra.117.66)

परलोकस्त्वयं लोको जीयते भार्यया द्वयम् । देवपित्रतिथीज्यादि नाभार्यः कर्म चार्हति

paralokastvayaṁ loko jīyate bhāryayā dvayam devapitratithījyādi nābhāryaḥ karma cārhati

"Both this world and the next are won through a wife; a man without a wife is not fit to perform the rites of the gods, the ancestors, and guests."

Verse 67 (shiva.rudra.117.67)

गृहस्थः स हि विज्ञेयो यस्य गेहे पतिव्रता । ग्रस्यतेऽन्यान्प्रतिदिनं राक्षस्या जरया यथा

gṛhasthaḥ sa hi vijñeyo yasya gehe pativratā grasyate'nyānpratidinaṁ rākṣasyā jarayā yathā

"He alone is to be known as a true householder in whose house dwells a devoted wife; others are daily devoured, as if by the demoness Old Age."

Verse 68 (shiva.rudra.117.68)

यथा गङ्गावगाहेन शरीरं पावनं भवेत् । तथा पतिव्रतां दृष्ट्वा सकलं पावनं भवेत्

yathā gaṅgāvagāhena śarīraṁ pāvanaṁ bhavet tathā pativratāṁ dṛṣṭvā sakalaṁ pāvanaṁ bhavet

"As the body becomes purified by bathing in the Ganga, so, at the mere sight of a devoted wife, everything becomes purified."

Verse 69 (shiva.rudra.117.69)

न गङ्गाया तया भेदो या नारी पतिदेवता । उमाशिवसमौ साक्षात्तस्मात्तौ पूजयेद्बुधः

na gaṅgāyā tayā bhedo yā nārī patidevatā umāśivasamau sākṣāttasmāttau pūjayedbudhaḥ

"There is no difference between the Ganga and a woman who regards her husband as her deity; that couple is verily equal to Uma and Shiva -- therefore the wise should worship them both."

Verse 70 (shiva.rudra.117.70)

तारः पतिः श्रुतिर्नारी क्षमा सा स स्वयं तपः । फलं पतिः सत्क्रिया सा धन्यौ तौ दम्पती शिवे

tāraḥ patiḥ śrutirnārī kṣamā sā sa svayaṁ tapaḥ phalaṁ patiḥ satkriyā sā dhanyau tau dampatī śive

"O Shiva (Parvati), the husband is the sacred syllable, the wife the scripture; she is forbearance, he himself is austerity; the husband is the fruit, she the virtuous act -- blessed is that couple."

Verse 71 (shiva.rudra.117.71)

एवं पतिव्रताधर्मो वर्णितस्ते गिरीन्द्रजे । तद्भेदान् शृणु सुप्रीत्या सावधानतयाद्य मे

evaṁ pativratādharmo varṇitaste girīndraje tadbhedān śṛṇu suprītyā sāvadhānatayādya me

"Thus, O daughter of the King of Mountains, the dharma of the devoted wife has been described to you; now listen lovingly and attentively to its distinctions."

Verse 72 (shiva.rudra.117.72)

चतुर्विधास्ताः कथिता नार्यो देवि पतिव्रताः । उत्तमादिविभेदेन स्मरतां पापहारिकाः

caturvidhāstāḥ kathitā nāryo devi pativratāḥ uttamādivibhedena smaratāṁ pāpahārikāḥ

"O Goddess, devoted wives are said to be of four kinds, distinguished as best and so on, and they remove the sins of those who remember them."

Verse 73 (shiva.rudra.117.73)

उत्तमा मध्यमा चैव निकृष्टातिनिकृष्टिका । ब्रुवे तासां लक्षणानि सावधानतया शृणु

uttamā madhyamā caiva nikṛṣṭātinikṛṣṭikā bruve tāsāṁ lakṣaṇāni sāvadhānatayā śṛṇu

"The best, the middling, the inferior, and the lowest -- I shall tell you their characteristics; listen attentively."

Verse 74 (shiva.rudra.117.74)

स्वप्नेऽपि यन्मनो नित्यं स्वपतिं पश्यति ध्रुवम् । नान्यं परपतिं भद्रे उत्तमा सा प्रकीर्तिता

svapne'pi yanmano nityaṁ svapatiṁ paśyati dhruvam nānyaṁ parapatiṁ bhadre uttamā sā prakīrtitā

"She whose mind, even in dream, always and surely sees only her own husband, and never another's husband -- she, O gentle one, is declared the best."

Verse 75 (shiva.rudra.117.75)

या पितृभ्रातृसुतवत् परं पश्यति सद्धिया । मध्यमा सा हि कथिता शैलजे वै पतिव्रता

yā pitṛbhrātṛsutavat paraṁ paśyati saddhiyā madhyamā sā hi kathitā śailaje vai pativratā

"O daughter of the mountain, she who looks upon another man with a virtuous mind, as upon her father, brother, or son, is called the middling devoted wife."

Verse 76 (shiva.rudra.117.76)

बुद्ध्वा स्वधर्मं मनसा व्यभिचारं करोति न । निकृष्टा कथिता सा हि सुचरित्रा च पार्वति

buddhvā svadharmaṁ manasā vyabhicāraṁ karoti na nikṛṣṭā kathitā sā hi sucaritrā ca pārvati

"O Parvati, she who, though understanding her own duty, does not commit infidelity even in mind, but only through conscious restraint, is called the inferior yet still virtuous wife."

Verse 77 (shiva.rudra.117.77)

पत्युः कुलस्य च भयाद्व्यभिचारं करोति न । पतिव्रताऽधमा सा हि कथिता पूर्वसूरिभिः

patyuḥ kulasya ca bhayādvyabhicāraṁ karoti na pativratā'dhamā sā hi kathitā pūrvasūribhiḥ

"She who does not commit infidelity out of fear of her husband and of her family's reputation is declared by the ancient sages to be the lowest kind of devoted wife."

Verse 78 (shiva.rudra.117.78)

चतुर्विधा अपि शिवे पापहन्त्र्यः पतिव्रताः । पावनाः सर्वलोकानामिहामुत्रापि हर्षिताः

caturvidhā api śive pāpahantryaḥ pativratāḥ pāvanāḥ sarvalokānāmihāmutrāpi harṣitāḥ

"O Shiva (Parvati), all four kinds of devoted wives are destroyers of sin, purifiers of all the worlds, and they rejoice both here and hereafter."

Verse 79 (shiva.rudra.117.79)

पातिव्रत्यप्रभावेणात्रिस्त्रिया त्रिसुरार्थनात् । जीवितो विप्र एको हि मृतो वाराहशापतः

pātivratyaprabhāveṇātristriyā trisurārthanāt jīvito vipra eko hi mṛto vārāhaśāpataḥ

"By the power of chastity, at the request of Atri's wife to the three gods, a certain brahmin, dead from a boar's curse, was restored to life."

Verse 80 (shiva.rudra.117.80)

एवं ज्ञात्वा शिवे नित्यं कर्तव्यं पतिसेवनम् । त्वया शैलात्मजे प्रीत्या सर्वकामप्रदं सदा

evaṁ jñātvā śive nityaṁ kartavyaṁ patisevanam tvayā śailātmaje prītyā sarvakāmapradaṁ sadā

"Knowing this, O Shiva, O daughter of the mountain, you should always, lovingly, serve your husband -- this alone ever grants all desires."

Verse 81 (shiva.rudra.117.81)

जगदम्बा महेशी त्वं शिवः साक्षात्पतिस्तव । तव स्मरणतो नार्यो भवन्ति हि पतिव्रताः

jagadambā maheśī tvaṁ śivaḥ sākṣātpatistava tava smaraṇato nāryo bhavanti hi pativratāḥ

"You are the Mother of the universe, the Great Goddess, and Shiva himself is verily your husband; by remembrance of you alone do women become devoted wives."

Verse 82 (shiva.rudra.117.82)

त्वदग्रे कथनेनानेन किं देवि प्रयोजनम् । तथापि कथितं मेऽद्य जगदाचारतः शिवे

tvadagre kathanenānena kiṁ devi prayojanam tathāpi kathitaṁ me'dya jagadācārataḥ śive

"O Goddess, what need is there of telling you all this? Yet, O Shiva, I have told it today, following the custom of the world."

Verse 83 (shiva.rudra.117.83)

ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा विररामासौ द्विजस्त्री सुप्रणम्य ताम् । शिवां मुदमतिप्राप पार्वती शङ्करप्रिया

brahmovāca ityuktvā virarāmāsau dvijastrī supraṇamya tām śivāṁ mudamatiprāpa pārvatī śaṅkarapriyā

Brahma said: "Having spoken thus, that brahmin woman fell silent, having bowed well to her; and Parvati, the beloved of Shankara, was filled with great joy."