The Rite, Worship, and Culmination of the Savitri Vow

Verse 1 (skanda.7.166.1)

देव्युवाच। प्रभासे संस्थिता या तु सावित्री ब्रह्मणः प्रिया। तस्याश्चरित्रं मे ब्रूहि देवदेव जगत्पते

devyuvāca| prabhāse saṁsthitā yā tu sāvitrī brahmaṇaḥ priyā| tasyāścaritraṁ me brūhi devadeva jagatpate

The Goddess said: O god of gods, lord of the world, tell me the story of Savitri, the beloved of Brahma, who dwells in Prabhasa.

Verse 2 (skanda.7.166.2)

व्रतमाहात्म्यसंयुक्तमितिहाससमन्वितम्। पाति व्रत्यकरं स्त्रीणां महाभाग्यं महोदयम्

vratamāhātmyasaṁyuktamitihāsasamanvitam| pāti vratyakaraṁ strīṇāṁ mahābhāgyaṁ mahodayam

It is joined with the glory of a vow, accompanied by its history, protective, making women devoted to their vows, bestowing great fortune and great prosperity.

Verse 3 (skanda.7.166.3)

ईश्वर उवाच। कथयामि महादेवि सावित्र्याश्चरितं महत्। प्रभासक्षेत्रसंस्थायाः स्थल स्थाने महेश्वरि। यथा चीर्णं व्रतकरं सावित्र्या राजकन्यया

īśvara uvāca| kathayāmi mahādevi sāvitryāścaritaṁ mahat| prabhāsakṣetrasaṁsthāyāḥ sthala sthāne maheśvari| yathā cīrṇaṁ vratakaraṁ sāvitryā rājakanyayā

Ishvara said: O great goddess, I shall tell the great story of Savitri who dwells in the Prabhasa field, of how, at that very site, the princess Savitri performed the observance of her vow.

Verse 4 (skanda.7.166.4)

आसीन्मद्रेषु धर्मात्मा सर्वभूतहिते रतः। पार्थिवोऽश्वपतिर्नाम पौरजानपद प्रियः

āsīnmadreṣu dharmātmā sarvabhūtahite rataḥ| pārthivo'śvapatirnāma paurajānapada priyaḥ

In the land of Madra there was a righteous king named Ashvapati, devoted to the welfare of all beings, beloved of the city and the countryside.

Verse 5 (skanda.7.166.5)

क्षमावाननपत्यश्च सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः। प्रभासक्षेत्रयात्रायामाजगाम स भूपतिः। यात्रां कुर्वन्विधानेन सावित्रीस्थलमागतः

kṣamāvānanapatyaśca satyavādī jitendriyaḥ| prabhāsakṣetrayātrāyāmājagāma sa bhūpatiḥ| yātrāṁ kurvanvidhānena sāvitrīsthalamāgataḥ

That king, forbearing, childless, truthful, and of subdued senses, came on pilgrimage to the field of Prabhasa; performing the pilgrimage according to rite, he arrived at Savitri's site.

Verse 6 (skanda.7.166.6)

स सभार्यो व्रतमिदं तत्र चक्रे नृपः स्वयम्। सावित्रीति प्रसिद्धं यत्सर्वकामफलप्रदम्

sa sabhāryo vratamidaṁ tatra cakre nṛpaḥ svayam| sāvitrīti prasiddhaṁ yatsarvakāmaphalapradam

That king himself, together with his queen, there performed this vow, renowned as the Savitri vow, which grants the fruit of every desire.

Verse 7 (skanda.7.166.7)

तस्य तुष्टाऽभवद्देवि सावित्री ब्रह्मणः प्रिया। भूर्भुवःस्वरितीत्येषा साक्षान्मूर्तिमती स्थिता

tasya tuṣṭā'bhavaddevi sāvitrī brahmaṇaḥ priyā| bhūrbhuvaḥsvarityetyeṣā sākṣānmūrtimatī sthitā

O Goddess, Savitri, the beloved of Brahma, who is Bhuh, Bhuvah, and Svah embodied, was pleased with him and stood there in visible form.

Verse 8 (skanda.7.166.8)

कमंडलुधरा देवी जगामादर्शनं पुनः। कालेन वहुना जाता दुहिता देवरूपिणी

kamaṁḍaludharā devī jagāmādarśanaṁ punaḥ| kālena vahunā jātā duhitā devarūpiṇī

The goddess, bearing her water-pot, then vanished from sight once more; after a long time, a daughter of divine form was born to him.

Verse 9 (skanda.7.166.9)

सावित्र्या प्रीतया दत्ता सावित्र्याः पूजया तथा। सावित्रीत्येव नामाऽस्याश्चक्रे विप्राज्ञया नृपः

sāvitryā prītayā dattā sāvitryāḥ pūjayā tathā| sāvitrītyeva nāmā'syāścakre viprājñayā nṛpaḥ

She was given by the pleased Savitri, through the worship of Savitri; therefore, by the direction of the brahmins, the king gave her the very name Savitri.

Verse 10 (skanda.7.166.10)

सा विग्राहवतीव श्रीः प्रावर्धत नृपात्मजा। सावित्री सुकुमारांगी यौवनस्था बभूव ह

sā vigrāhavatīva śrīḥ prāvardhata nṛpātmajā| sāvitrī sukumārāṁgī yauvanasthā babhūva ha

That princess grew up as if she were Shri herself in embodied form; the tender-limbed Savitri came to the bloom of youth.

Verse 11 (skanda.7.166.11)

या सुमध्या पृथुश्रोणी प्रतिमा काञ्चनी यथा। प्राप्तेयं देवकन्या वा दृष्ट्वा तां मेनिरे जनाः

yā sumadhyā pṛthuśroṇī pratimā kāñcanī yathā| prāpteyaṁ devakanyā vā dṛṣṭvā tāṁ menire janāḥ

Slender-waisted, broad-hipped, like a golden image — seeing her, people took her to be some daughter of the gods come to earth.

Verse 12 (skanda.7.166.12)

सा तु पद्मा विशालाक्षी प्रज्वलतीव तेजसा। चचार सा च सावित्री व्रतं यद्भृगुणोदितम्

sā tu padmā viśālākṣī prajvalatīva tejasā| cacāra sā ca sāvitrī vrataṁ yadbhṛguṇoditam

Lotus-like and wide-eyed, blazing as if with her own splendor, that Savitri observed the vow declared by Bhrigu.

Verse 13 (skanda.7.166.13)

अथोपोष्य शिरःस्नाता देवतामभिगम्य च। हुत्वाग्निं विधिवद्विप्रान्वाचयेद्वरवर्णिनी

athopoṣya śiraḥsnātā devatāmabhigamya ca| hutvāgniṁ vidhivadviprānvācayedvaravarṇinī

Fasting, bathing her head, approaching the deity, and offering oblation to the fire according to rite, that fair one would have the brahmins recite the sacred texts.

Verse 14 (skanda.7.166.14)

तेभ्यः सुमनसः शेषां प्रतिगृह्य नृपात्मजा। सखीपरिवृताऽभ्येत्य देवी श्रीवत्सरूपिणी

tebhyaḥ sumanasaḥ śeṣāṁ pratigṛhya nṛpātmajā| sakhīparivṛtā'bhyetya devī śrīvatsarūpiṇī

Receiving from them the remainder of the flower-offerings, surrounded by her companions, that princess, radiant as the mark of Shrivatsa, came forward.

Verse 15 (skanda.7.166.15)

साऽभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ शेषां पूर्वं निवेद्य च। कृताञ्जलिर्वरारोहा नृपतेः पार्श्वतः स्थिता

sā'bhivādya pituḥ pādau śeṣāṁ pūrvaṁ nivedya ca| kṛtāñjalirvarārohā nṛpateḥ pārśvataḥ sthitā

Bowing first at her father's feet and offering him the remnant, that fair-formed maiden stood beside the king with joined palms.

Verse 16 (skanda.7.166.16)

तां दृष्ट्वा यौवनप्राप्तां स्वां सुतां देवरूपिणीम्। उवाच राजा संमन्त्र्य पुत्र्यर्थं सह मन्त्रिभिः

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā yauvanaprāptāṁ svāṁ sutāṁ devarūpiṇīm| uvāca rājā saṁmantrya putryarthaṁ saha mantribhiḥ

Seeing his divine-formed daughter now come to youth, the king, having taken counsel with his ministers concerning her, spoke —

Verse 17 (skanda.7.166.17)

पुत्रि प्रदानकालस्ते न हि कश्चिद्वृणोति माम्। विचारयन्न पश्यामि वरं तुल्यमिहात्मनः

putri pradānakālaste na hi kaścidvṛṇoti mām| vicārayanna paśyāmi varaṁ tulyamihātmanaḥ

'Daughter, the time for your marriage has come, yet no one comes to seek you from me; and though I consider it, I see no bridegroom here equal to yourself.'

Verse 18 (skanda.7.166.18)

देवादीनां यथा वाच्यो न भवेयं तथा कुरु। पठ्यमानं मया पुत्रि धर्मशास्त्रेषु च श्रुतम्

devādīnāṁ yathā vācyo na bhaveyaṁ tathā kuru| paṭhyamānaṁ mayā putri dharmaśāstreṣu ca śrutam

'Act, therefore, so that I may not become blameworthy even before the gods. Daughter, what I have read and heard in the treatises of dharma is this —'

Verse 19 (skanda.7.166.19)

पितुर्गेहे तु या कन्या रजः पश्यत्यसंस्कृता। ब्रह्महत्या पितुस्तस्य सा कन्या वृषली स्मृता

piturgehe tu yā kanyā rajaḥ paśyatyasaṁskṛtā| brahmahatyā pitustasya sā kanyā vṛṣalī smṛtā

'— a maiden who, unmarried, comes of age in her father's house brings upon that father the sin of slaying a brahmin, and such a maiden is deemed a fallen woman.'

Verse 20 (skanda.7.166.20)

अतोऽर्थं प्रेषयामि त्वां कुरु पुत्रि स्वयंवरम्। वृद्धैरमात्यैः सहिता शीघ्रं गच्छावधारय

ato'rthaṁ preṣayāmi tvāṁ kuru putri svayaṁvaram| vṛddhairamātyaiḥ sahitā śīghraṁ gacchāvadhāraya

'For this reason I send you forth — daughter, choose your own husband. Accompanied by aged ministers, go quickly; resolve upon this.'

Verse 21 (skanda.7.166.21)

एवमस्त्विति सावित्री प्रोच्य तस्माद्विनिर्ययौ। तपोवनानि रम्याणि राजर्षीणां जगाम सा

evamastviti sāvitrī procya tasmādviniryayau| tapovanāni ramyāṇi rājarṣīṇāṁ jagāma sā

Saying 'so be it,' Savitri set out from there; she went to the lovely hermitages of the royal sages.

Verse 22 (skanda.7.166.22)

मान्यानां तत्र वृद्धानां कृत्वा पादाभिवन्दनम्। ततोऽभिगम्य तीर्थानि सर्वाण्येवाश्रमाणि च

mānyānāṁ tatra vṛddhānāṁ kṛtvā pādābhivandanam| tato'bhigamya tīrthāni sarvāṇyevāśramāṇi ca

There, bowing at the feet of the venerable elders, and then visiting all the sacred fords and hermitages —

Verse 23 (skanda.7.166.23)

आजगाम पुनर्वेश्म सावित्री सह मंत्रिभिः। तत्रापश्यत देवर्षिं नारदं पुरतः शुचिम्

ājagāma punarveśma sāvitrī saha maṁtribhiḥ| tatrāpaśyata devarṣiṁ nāradaṁ purataḥ śucim

— Savitri returned again to her home, accompanied by the ministers; there she saw before her the pure divine sage Narada.

Verse 24 (skanda.7.166.24)

आसीनमासने विप्रं प्रणम्य स्मितभाषिणी। कथयामास तत्कार्यं येनारण्यं गता च सा

āsīnamāsane vipraṁ praṇamya smitabhāṣiṇī| kathayāmāsa tatkāryaṁ yenāraṇyaṁ gatā ca sā

Bowing to that brahmin seated there, and speaking with a gentle smile, she related that undertaking for which she had gone into the forest.

Verse 25 (skanda.7.166.25)

सावित्र्युवाच। आसीच्छाल्वेषु धर्मात्मा क्षत्रियः पृथिवीपतिः। द्युमत्सेन इति ख्यातो दैवादन्धो वभूव सः

sāvitryuvāca| āsīcchālveṣu dharmātmā kṣatriyaḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ| dyumatsena iti khyāto daivādandho vabhūva saḥ

Savitri said: In the land of the Shalvas there was a righteous kshatriya king named Dyumatsena, who by fate had become blind.

Verse 26 (skanda.7.166.26)

आर्यस्य बालपुत्रस्य द्युमत्सेनस्य रुक्मिणा। सामन्तेन हृतं राज्यं छिद्रेऽस्मिन्पूर्ववैरिणा

āryasya bālaputrasya dyumatsenasya rukmiṇā| sāmantena hṛtaṁ rājyaṁ chidre'sminpūrvavairiṇā

While the noble Dyumatsena's son was yet a boy, a neighboring chief named Rukmin, an old enemy, seized this opportunity and took away his kingdom.

Verse 27 (skanda.7.166.27)

स बालवत्सया सार्धं भार्यया प्रस्थितो वनम्

sa bālavatsayā sārdhaṁ bhāryayā prasthito vanam

He set out for the forest, together with his young son and his wife.

Verse 28 (skanda.7.166.28)

स तस्य च वने वृद्धः पुत्रः परमधार्मिकः। सत्यवागनुरूपो मे भर्तेति मनसेप्सितः

sa tasya ca vane vṛddhaḥ putraḥ paramadhārmikaḥ| satyavāganurūpo me bharteti manasepsitaḥ

His son, grown up there in the forest, is most righteous and true-spoken; my heart desires him alone, as a fitting husband for me.

Verse 29 (skanda.7.166.29)

नारद उवाच। अहो बत महत्कष्टं सावित्र्या नृपते कृतम्। बालस्वभावादनया गुणवान्सत्यवाग्वृतः

nārada uvāca| aho bata mahatkaṣṭaṁ sāvitryā nṛpate kṛtam| bālasvabhāvādanayā guṇavānsatyavāgvṛtaḥ

Narada said: Alas, O king, Savitri has done a very difficult thing; out of youthful innocence she has chosen the virtuous Satyavan.

Verse 30 (skanda.7.166.30)

सत्यं वदत्यस्य पिता सत्यं माता प्रभाषते। सत्यं वदेति मुनिभिः सत्यवान्नाम वै कृतम्

satyaṁ vadatyasya pitā satyaṁ mātā prabhāṣate| satyaṁ vadeti munibhiḥ satyavānnāma vai kṛtam

His father speaks truth, his mother speaks truth, and he too always speaks the truth; therefore the sages gave him the very name Satyavan.

Verse 31 (skanda.7.166.31)

नित्यं चाश्वाः प्रियास्तस्य करोत्यश्वाश्च मृन्मयान्। चित्रेऽपि च लिखत्यश्वांश्चित्राश्व इति चोच्यते

nityaṁ cāśvāḥ priyāstasya karotyaśvāśca mṛnmayān| citre'pi ca likhatyaśvāṁścitrāśva iti cocyate

Horses are ever dear to him; he fashions clay horses and even paints them in pictures — for this he is also called Chitrashva, 'he of the painted horses.'

Verse 32 (skanda.7.166.32)

सत्यवान्रंतिदेवस्य शिष्यो दानगुणैः समः। ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यवादी च शिबिरौशीनरो यथा

satyavānraṁtidevasya śiṣyo dānaguṇaiḥ samaḥ| brahmaṇyaḥ satyavādī ca śibirauśīnaro yathā

Satyavan is the disciple of Rantideva, his equal in the virtue of giving; devoted to brahmins and truthful in speech, like Shibi, the son of Ushinara.

Verse 33 (skanda.7.166.33)

ययातिरिव चोदारः सोमवत्प्रियदर्शनः। रूपेणान्यतमोऽश्विभ्यां द्युमत्सेनसुतो बली

yayātiriva codāraḥ somavatpriyadarśanaḥ| rūpeṇānyatamo'śvibhyāṁ dyumatsenasuto balī

That strong son of Dyumatsena is generous like Yayati, lovely to behold like the moon, and in beauty comparable to one of the two Ashvins.

Verse 34 (skanda.7.166.34)

एको दोषोऽस्ति नान्यश्च सोऽद्यप्रभृति सत्यवान्। संवत्सरेण क्षीणायुर्देहत्यागं करिष्यति

eko doṣo'sti nānyaśca so'dyaprabhṛti satyavān| saṁvatsareṇa kṣīṇāyurdehatyāgaṁ kariṣyati

He has one flaw, and no other: from this very day, within a year, Satyavan's life will be exhausted and he will give up his body.

Verse 35 (skanda.7.166.35)

नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा दुहिता प्राह पार्थिवम्

nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā duhitā prāha pārthivam

Having heard Narada's words, the king's daughter spoke to the king —

Verse 36 (skanda.7.166.36)

सावित्र्युवाच। सकृज्जल्पंति राजानः सकृज्जल्पंति ब्राह्मणाः। सकृत्कन्या प्रदीयेत त्रीण्येतानि सकृत्सकृत्

sāvitryuvāca| sakṛjjalpaṁti rājānaḥ sakṛjjalpaṁti brāhmaṇāḥ| sakṛtkanyā pradīyeta trīṇyetāni sakṛtsakṛt

Savitri said: Kings give their word but once, brahmins give their word but once, a maiden is given away but once — these three things happen, each, only a single time.

Verse 37 (skanda.7.166.37)

दीर्घायुरथवाल्पायुः सगुणो निर्गुणोऽपि वा। सकृद्वृतो मया भर्ता न द्वितीयं वृणोम्यहम्

dīrghāyurathavālpāyuḥ saguṇo nirguṇo'pi vā| sakṛdvṛto mayā bhartā na dvitīyaṁ vṛṇomyaham

Whether long-lived or short-lived, whether possessed of virtues or devoid of them — I have chosen my husband once; I shall not choose a second.

Verse 38 (skanda.7.166.38)

मनसा निश्चयं कृत्वा ततो वाचाऽभिधीयते। क्रियते कर्मणा पश्चात्प्रमाणं हि मनस्ततः

manasā niścayaṁ kṛtvā tato vācā'bhidhīyate| kriyate karmaṇā paścātpramāṇaṁ hi manastataḥ

One first resolves in the mind, then declares it with speech, and afterward carries it out in action; therefore the mind alone is the true authority.

Verse 39 (skanda.7.166.39)

नारद उवाच। यद्येतदिष्टं भवतः शीघ्रमेव विधीयताम्। अविघ्नेन तु सावित्र्याः प्रदानं दुहितुस्तव

nārada uvāca| yadyetadiṣṭaṁ bhavataḥ śīghramevaṁ vidhīyatām| avighnena tu sāvitryāḥ pradānaṁ duhitustava

Narada said: If this is agreeable to you, then let it be done at once; let the giving away of your daughter Savitri proceed without hindrance.

Verse 40 (skanda.7.166.40)

एवमुक्त्वा समुत्पत्य नारूदस्त्रिदिवं गतः। राजा च दुहितुः सर्वं वैवाहिकमथाकरोत्। शुभे मुहूर्ते पार्श्वस्थैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः

evamuktvā samutpatya nārūdastridivaṁ gataḥ| rājā ca duhituḥ sarvaṁ vaivāhikamathākarot| śubhe muhūrte pārśvasthairbrāhmaṇairvedapāragaiḥ

Having said this, Narada rose up and departed to heaven; and the king, at an auspicious hour, with brahmins learned in the Vedas present, then performed all his daughter's marriage rites.

Verse 41 (skanda.7.166.41)

सावित्र्यपि च तं लब्ध्वा भर्तारं मनसेप्तितम्। मुमुदेऽतीव तन्वंगी स्वर्गं प्राप्येव पुण्यकृत्

sāvitryapi ca taṁ labdhvā bhartāraṁ manasep titam| mumude'tīva tanvaṁgī svargaṁ prāpyeva puṇyakṛt

Savitri too, having obtained that husband desired in her heart, rejoiced exceedingly, that slender-bodied one, as though a doer of merit who had attained heaven.

Verse 42 (skanda.7.166.42)

एवं तत्राश्रमे तेषां तदा निवसतां सताम्। कालस्तु पश्यतां किञ्चिदतिचक्राम पार्वति

evaṁ tatrāśrame teṣāṁ tadā nivasatāṁ satām| kālastu paśyatāṁ kiñcidaticakrāma pārvati

O Parvati, thus, as those virtuous ones dwelt there in the hermitage, some time passed, even as they watched it go by.

Verse 43 (skanda.7.166.43)

सावित्र्यास्तु तदा नार्यास्तिष्ठन्त्याश्च दिवानिशम्। नारदेन यदुक्तं तद्वाक्यं मनसि वर्तते

sāvitryāstu tadā nāryāstiṣṭhantyāśca divāniśam| nāradena yaduktaṁ tadvākyaṁ manasi vartate

But Savitri, that woman, as she went about day and night, kept in her mind always the word that Narada had spoken.

Verse 44 (skanda.7.166.44)

ततः काले बहुतिथे व्यतिक्रान्ते कदाचन। प्राप्तः कालोऽथ मर्तव्यो यत्र सत्यव्रतो नृपः

tataḥ kāle bahutithe vyatikrānte kadācana| prāptaḥ kālo'tha martavyo yatra satyavrato nṛpaḥ

Then, after much time had elapsed, there arrived the very time appointed for the death of the truth-vowed Satyavan.

Verse 45 (skanda.7.166.45)

ज्येष्ठमासे सिते पक्षे द्वादश्यां रजनीमुखे। गणयंत्याश्च सावित्र्या नारदोक्तं वचो हृदि

jyeṣṭhamāse site pakṣe dvādaśyāṁ rajanīmukhe| gaṇayaṁtyāśca sāvitryā nāradoktaṁ vaco hṛdi

On the twelfth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Jyeshtha, at the beginning of night, Savitri, counting in her heart Narada's words —

Verse 46 (skanda.7.166.46)

चतुर्थेऽहनि मर्तव्यमिति संचिंत्य भामिनी। व्रतं त्रिरात्रमुद्दिश्य दिवारात्रं स्थिताऽऽश्रमे

caturthe'hani martavyamiti saṁciṁtya bhāminī| vrataṁ trirātramuddiśya divārātraṁ sthitā'āśrame

— reflecting that on the fourth day he must die, that lovely woman undertook a three-night vow and remained fixed in the hermitage, day and night.

Verse 47 (skanda.7.166.47)

ततस्त्रिरात्रं न्यवसत्स्नात्वा संतर्प्य देवताम्। श्वश्रूश्वशुरयोः पादौ ववंदे चारुहासिनी

tatastrirātraṁ nyavasatsnātvā saṁtarpya devatām| śvaśrūśvaśurayoḥ pādau vavaṁde cāruhāsinī

Having thus passed the three nights, having bathed and satisfied the deity with offerings, that sweetly-smiling woman bowed at the feet of her mother- and father-in-law.

Verse 48 (skanda.7.166.48)

अथ प्रतस्थे परशुं गृहीत्वा सत्यवान्वनम्। सावित्र्यपि च भर्तारं गच्छंतं पृष्ठतोऽन्वयात्

atha pratasthe paraśuṁ gṛhītvā satyavānvanam| sāvitryapi ca bhartāraṁ gacchaṁtaṁ pṛṣṭhato'nvayāt

Then Satyavan, taking up his axe, set out for the forest; Savitri too followed behind her husband as he went.

Verse 49 (skanda.7.166.49)

ततो गृहीत्वा तरसा फलपुष्पसमित्कुशान्। अथ शुष्काणि चादाय काष्ठभारमकल्पयत्

tato gṛhītvā tarasā phalapuṣpasamitkuśān| atha śuṣkāṇi cādāya kāṣṭhabhāramakalpayat

There, quickly gathering fruits, flowers, sacrificial twigs, and kusha grass, and then taking dry wood, he prepared a bundle of firewood.

Verse 50 (skanda.7.166.50)

अथ पाटयतः काष्ठं जाता शिरसि वेदना। काष्ठभारं क्षणात्त्यक्त्वा वटशाखावलंबितः

atha pāṭayataḥ kāṣṭhaṁ jātā śirasi vedanā| kāṣṭhabhāraṁ kṣaṇāttyaktvā vaṭaśākhāvalaṁbitaḥ

As he split the wood, a pain arose in his head; at once he dropped the bundle of wood and leaned upon the branch of a banyan tree.

Verse 51 (skanda.7.166.51)

सावित्रीं प्राह शिरसो वेदना मां प्रबाधते। तवोत्संगे क्षणं तावत्स्वप्तुमिच्छामि सुन्दरि

sāvitrīṁ prāha śiraso vedanā māṁ prabādhate| tavotsaṁge kṣaṇaṁ tāvatsvaptumicchāmi sundari

He said to Savitri: 'A pain in my head afflicts me; O beautiful one, I wish to sleep a while in your lap.'

Verse 52 (skanda.7.166.52)

विश्रमस्व महाबाहो सावित्री प्राह दुःखिता। पश्चादपि गमिष्यामि ह्याश्रमं श्रमनाशनम्

viśramasva mahābāho sāvitrī prāha duḥkhitā| paścādapi gamiṣyāmi hyāśramaṁ śramanāśanam

Savitri, grieved, said: 'Rest, O mighty-armed one; we can go afterward too, to the hermitage that dispels all fatigue.'

Verse 53 (skanda.7.166.53)

यावदुत्संगगं कृत्वा शिरोस्य तु महीतले। तावद्ददर्श सावित्री पुरुषं कृष्णपिंगलम्

yāvadutsaṁgagaṁ kṛtvā śirosya tu mahītale| tāvaddadarśa sāvitrī puruṣaṁ kṛṣṇapiṁgalam

As soon as, seated on the ground, she placed his head in her lap, Savitri beheld a dark-tawny-hued man.

Verse 54 (skanda.7.166.54)

किरीटिनं पीतवस्त्रं साक्षात्सूर्यमिवोदितम्। तमुवाचाथ सावित्री प्रणम्य मधुराक्षरम्

kirīṭinaṁ pītavastraṁ sākṣātsūryamivoditam| tamuvācātha sāvitrī praṇamya madhurākṣaram

Crowned, clad in yellow garments, he appeared like the rising sun in person; bowing to him, Savitri then addressed him in sweet accents —

Verse 55 (skanda.7.166.55)

कस्त्वं देवोऽथवा दैत्यो यो मां धर्षितुमागतः। न चाहं केनचिच्छक्या स्वधर्माद्देव रोधितुम्

kastvaṁ devo'thavā daityo yo māṁ dharṣitumāgataḥ| na cāhaṁ kenacicchakyā svadharmāddeva rodhitum

'Who are you — a god or a demon — who have come to assail me? O lord, none can turn me from my own duty.'

Verse 56 (skanda.7.166.56)

विद्धि मां पुरुषश्रेष्ठ दीप्तामग्निशिखामिव

viddhi māṁ puruṣaśreṣṭha dīptāmagniśikhāmiva

'Know me, O best of men, to be like a blazing flame of fire.'

Verse 57 (skanda.7.166.57)

यम उवाच। यमः संयमनश्चास्मि सर्वलोकभयंकरः

yama uvāca| yamaḥ saṁyamanaścāsmi sarvalokabhayaṁkaraḥ

Yama said: 'I am Yama, the Restrainer, the one who strikes fear into all the worlds.'

Verse 58 (skanda.7.166.58)

क्षीणायुरेष ते भर्ता संनिधौ ते पतिव्रते। न शक्यः किंकरैर्नेतुमतोऽहं स्वयमागतः

kṣīṇāyureṣa te bhartā saṁnidhau te pativrate| na śakyaḥ kiṁkarairnetumato'haṁ svayamāgataḥ

'This husband of yours, O devoted wife, has his life exhausted; in your presence my servants could not lead him away, so I have come myself.'

Verse 59 (skanda.7.166.59)

एवमुक्त्वा सत्यव्रतशरीरात्पाशसंयुतः। अंगुष्ठमात्रं पुरुषं निचकर्ष यमो बलात्

evamuktvā satyavrataśarīrātpāśasaṁyutaḥ| aṁguṣṭhamātraṁ puruṣaṁ nicakarṣa yamo balāt

Having said this, Yama, holding his noose, forcibly drew out from the truth-vowed one's body a thumb-sized figure of a man.

Verse 60 (skanda.7.166.60)

अथ प्रयातुमारेभे पंथानं पितृसेवितम्। सावित्र्यपि वरारोहा पृष्ठतोऽनुजगाम ह

atha prayātumārebhe paṁthānaṁ pitṛsevitam| sāvitryapi varārohā pṛṣṭhato'nujagāma ha

Then he began to travel the path frequented by the ancestral spirits; and the fair-formed Savitri followed close behind him.

Verse 61 (skanda.7.166.61)

पतिव्रतत्वाच्चाश्रांता तामुवाच यमस्तथा। निवर्त गच्छ सावित्रि मुहूर्तं त्वमिहागता

pativratatvāccāśrāṁtā tāmuvāca yamastathā| nivarta gaccha sāvitri muhūrtaṁ tvamihāgatā

Untired by virtue of her devotion to her husband, she kept following; then Yama said to her: 'Turn back, Savitri; you have come far enough — you have come this far already.'

Verse 62 (skanda.7.166.62)

एष मार्गो विशालाक्षि न केनाप्यनुगम्यते

eṣa mārgo viśālākṣi na kenāpyanugamyate

'O wide-eyed one, no one may follow this path.'

Verse 63 (skanda.7.166.63)

सावित्र्युवाच। न श्रमो न च मे ग्लानिः कदाचिदपि जायते। भर्तारमनुगच्छन्त्या विशिष्टस्य च संनिधौ

sāvitryuvāca| na śramo na ca me glāniḥ kadācidapi jāyate| bhartāramanugacchantyā viśiṣṭasya ca saṁnidhau

Savitri said: 'Following my husband, and in the presence of one so exalted as you, I feel no weariness and no faintness at all.'

Verse 64 (skanda.7.166.64)

सतां सन्तो गतिर्नान्या स्त्रीणां भर्ता सदा गतिः। वेदो वर्णाश्रमाणां च शिष्याणां च गतिर्गुरुः

satāṁ santo gatirnānyā strīṇāṁ bhartā sadā gatiḥ| vedo varṇāśramāṇāṁ ca śiṣyāṇāṁ ca gatirguruḥ

'The virtuous have no refuge but the virtuous; a wife's refuge is ever her husband; the Veda is the refuge of the castes and life-stages, and the guru the refuge of disciples.'

Verse 65 (skanda.7.166.65)

सर्वेषामेव भूतानां स्थानमस्ति महीतले। भर्त्तारमेकमुत्सृज्य स्त्रीणां नान्यः समाश्रयः

sarveṣāmeva bhūtānāṁ sthānamasti mahītale| bhartāramekamutsṛjya strīṇāṁ nānyaḥ samāśrayaḥ

'All beings upon the earth have some resting place; but for women, apart from their one husband, there is no other refuge.'

Verse 66 (skanda.7.166.66)

एवमन्यैः सुमधुरैर्वाक्यैर्धर्मार्थसंहितैः। तुतोष सूर्यतनयः सावित्रीं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

evamanyaiḥ sumadhurairvākyairdharmārthasaṁhitaiḥ| tutoṣa sūryatanayaḥ sāvitrīṁ vākyamabravīt

With these and other such sweet words, filled with righteousness and meaning, the son of the Sun was pleased, and he spoke to Savitri —

Verse 67 (skanda.7.166.67)

यम उवाच। तुष्टोऽस्मि तव भद्रं ते वरं वरय भामिनि। सापि वव्रे च राज्यं स्वं विनयावनतानना

yama uvāca| tuṣṭo'smi tava bhadraṁ te varaṁ varaya bhāmini| sāpi vavre ca rājyaṁ svaṁ vinayāvanatānanā

Yama said: 'I am pleased with you; blessings upon you. Choose a boon, O lovely one.' She too, her face bowed in humility, then asked for her father-in-law's kingdom.

Verse 68 (skanda.7.166.68)

चक्षुःप्राप्तिं तथा राज्यं श्वशुरस्य महात्मनः। पितुः पुत्रशतं चैव पुत्राणां शतमात्मनः

cakṣuḥprāptiṁ tathā rājyaṁ śvaśurasya mahātmanaḥ| pituḥ putraśataṁ caiva putrāṇāṁ śatamātmanaḥ

She asked for the restoration of sight and the kingdom for her noble father-in-law, a hundred sons for her own father, and a hundred sons for herself.

Verse 69 (skanda.7.166.69)

जीवितं च तथा भर्तुर्धर्मसिद्धिं च शाश्वतीम्। धर्मराजो वरं दत्त्वा प्रेषयामास तां ततः

jīvitaṁ ca tathā bharturdharmasiddhiṁ ca śāśvatīm| dharmarājo varaṁ dattvā preṣayāmāsa tāṁ tataḥ

— and, too, her husband's life, and everlasting steadfastness in dharma. Dharmaraja, having granted the boons, then sent her back.

Verse 70 (skanda.7.166.70)

अथ भर्तारमासाद्य सावित्री हृष्टमानसा। जगाम स्वाश्रमपदं सह भर्त्रा निराकुला

atha bhartāramāsādya sāvitrī hṛṣṭamānasā| jagāma svāśramapadaṁ saha bhartrā nirākulā

Then, having regained her husband, Savitri, her mind rejoicing and untroubled, went back to her own hermitage, together with him.

Verse 71 (skanda.7.166.71)

ज्येष्ठस्य पूर्णिमायां च तया चीर्णं व्रतं त्विदम्। माहात्म्यतोऽस्य नृपतेश्चक्षुःप्राप्तिरभूत्पुरः

jyeṣṭhasya pūrṇimāyāṁ ca tayā cīrṇaṁ vrataṁ tvidam| māhātmyato'sya nṛpateścakṣuḥprāptirabhūtpuraḥ

She had performed this vow on the full moon of Jyeshtha; by its glory, the king (her father-in-law) had already regained his sight.

Verse 72 (skanda.7.166.72)

ततः स्वदेशराज्यं च प्राप निष्कण्टकं नृपः। पितास्याः पुत्रशतकं सा च लेभे सुताञ्छतम्

tataḥ svadeśarājyaṁ ca prāpa niṣkaṇṭakaṁ nṛpaḥ| pitāsyāḥ putraśatakaṁ sā ca lebhe sutāñchatam

Thereafter the king regained his own unrivalled kingdom; her father obtained a hundred sons, and she herself obtained a hundred sons.

Verse 73 (skanda.7.166.73)

एवं व्रतस्य माहात्म्यं कथितं सकलं मया

evaṁ vratasya māhātmyaṁ kathitaṁ sakalaṁ mayā

Thus have I told the entire glory of this vow.

Verse 74 (skanda.7.166.74)

देव्युवाच। कीदृशं तद्व्रतं देव सावित्र्या चरितं महत्। तस्मिंस्तु ज्येष्ठमासे हि विधानं तस्य कीदृशम्

devyuvāca| kīdṛśaṁ tadvrataṁ deva sāvitryā caritaṁ mahat| tasmiṁstu jyeṣṭhamāse hi vidhānaṁ tasya kīdṛśam

The Goddess said: O Lord, what is that great vow performed by Savitri? And what is its rite in the month of Jyeshtha?

Verse 75 (skanda.7.166.75)

का देवता व्रते तस्मिन्के मन्त्राः किं फलं विभो। विस्तरेण महेश त्वं ब्रूहि धर्मं सनातनम्

kā devatā vrate tasminke mantrāḥ kiṁ phalaṁ vibho| vistareṇa maheśa tvaṁ brūhi dharmaṁ sanātanam

Who is the deity of that vow, what are its mantras, what its fruit, O mighty one? O Mahesha, tell me this eternal rite in full detail.

Verse 76 (skanda.7.166.76)

ईश्वर उवाच। श्रूयतां देवदेवेशि सावित्रीव्रतमा दरात्। कथयामि यथा चीर्णं तया सत्या महेश्वरि

īśvara uvāca| śrūyatāṁ devadeveśi sāvitrīvratamādarāt| kathayāmi yathā cīrṇaṁ tayā satyā maheśvari

Ishvara said: Listen with reverence, O queen of the gods, to the Savitri vow; O great goddess, I shall tell how the truthful Savitri performed it.

Verse 77 (skanda.7.166.77)

त्रयोदश्यां तु ज्येष्ठस्य दन्तधावनपूर्वकम्। त्रिरात्रं नियमं कुर्यादुपवासस्य भामिनि

trayodaśyāṁ tu jyeṣṭhasya dantadhāvanapūrvakam| trirātraṁ niyamaṁ kuryādupavāsasya bhāmini

O lovely one, on the thirteenth day of Jyeshtha, after cleaning the teeth, one should keep the observance of fasting for three nights.

Verse 78 (skanda.7.166.78)

अशक्तस्तु त्रयोदश्यां नक्तं कुर्याज्जितेन्द्रियः। अयाचितं चतुर्दश्यां ह्युपवासेन पूर्णिमाम्

aśaktastu trayodaśyāṁ naktaṁ kuryājjitendriyaḥ| ayācitaṁ caturdaśyāṁ hyupavāsena pūrṇimām

One who is unable should, with subdued senses, eat only at night on the thirteenth, take unsolicited food on the fourteenth, and observe a complete fast on the full moon day.

Verse 79 (skanda.7.166.79)

नित्यं स्नात्वा तडागे वा महानद्यां च निर्झरे। पांडुकूपे तु सुश्रोणि सर्वस्नानफलं लभेत्

nityaṁ snātvā taḍāge vā mahānadyāṁ ca nirjhare| pāṁḍukūpe tu suśroṇi sarvasnānaphalaṁ labhet

One should bathe daily in a pond, a great river, or a mountain stream; O fair-hipped one, by bathing in Pandukupa one obtains the fruit of every bathing place.

Verse 80 (skanda.7.166.80)

विशेषात्पूर्णिमायां तु स्नानं सर्षपमृज्जलैः

viśeṣātpūrṇimāyāṁ tu snānaṁ sarṣapamṛjjalaiḥ

Especially on the full moon day, one should bathe with water mixed with mustard seed.

Verse 81 (skanda.7.166.81)

गृहीत्वा वालुकं पात्रे प्रस्थमात्रे यशस्विनि। अथवा धान्यमादाय यवशालितिलादिकम्

gṛhītvā vālukaṁ pātre prasthamātre yaśasvini| athavā dhānyamādāya yavaśālitilādikam

O illustrious one, taking sand in a vessel of about one prastha measure, or taking grain such as barley, rice, and sesame —

Verse 82 (skanda.7.166.82)

ततो वंशमये पात्रे वस्त्रयुग्मेन वेष्टिते। सावित्रीप्रतिमां कृत्वा सर्वावयवशोभिताम्

tato vaṁśamaye pātre vastrayugmena veṣṭite| sāvitrīpratimāṁ kṛtvā sarvāvayavaśobhitām

— then, in a bamboo vessel wrapped with two cloths, one should fashion an image of Savitri, adorned in every limb.

Verse 83 (skanda.7.166.83)

सौवर्णीं मृन्मयीं वापि स्वशक्त्या दारुनिर्मिताम्। रक्तवस्त्रद्वयं दद्यात्सावित्र्या ब्रह्मणः सितम्

sauvarṇīṁ mṛnmayīṁ vāpi svaśaktyā dārunirmitām| raktavastradvayaṁ dadyātsāvitryā brahmaṇaḥ sitam

According to one's means, the image should be made of gold, clay, or wood; one should offer two red garments to Savitri and a white garment to Brahma.

Verse 84 (skanda.7.166.84)

सावित्रीं ब्रह्मणा सार्धमेवं शक्त्या प्रपूजयेत्। गन्धैः सुगन्धपुष्पैश्च धूपनैवेद्यदीपकैः

sāvitrīṁ brahmaṇā sārdhamevaṁ śaktyā prapūjayet| gaṁdhaiḥ sugaṁdhapuṣpaiśca dhūpanaivedyadīpakaiḥ

Thus one should worship Savitri together with Brahma according to one's ability, with fragrances, sweet-scented flowers, incense, food offerings, and lamps.

Verse 85 (skanda.7.166.85)

पूर्णकोशातकैः पक्वैः कूष्माण्डकर्कटीफलैः। नालिकेरैः सखर्जूरैः कपित्थैर्दाडिमैः शुभैः

pūrṇakośātakaiḥ pakvaiḥ kūṣmāṇḍakarkaṭīphalaiḥ| nālikeraiḥ sakharjūraiḥ kapitthairdāḍimaiḥ śubhaiḥ

With ripe sponge-gourds, pumpkins and cucumbers, coconuts, dates, wood-apples, and auspicious pomegranates —

Verse 86 (skanda.7.166.86)

जंबूजंबीरनारिंगैरक्षोटैः पनसैस्तथा। जीरकैः कटुखण्डैश्च गुडेन लवणेन च

jaṁbūjaṁbīranāriṁgairakṣoṭaiḥ panasaistathā| jīrakaiḥ kaṭukhaṇḍaiśca guḍena lavaṇena ca

— with jambul, lemon, orange, walnuts, and jackfruit, with cumin, pungent spice, jaggery, and salt —

Verse 87 (skanda.7.166.87)

विरूढैः सप्तधान्यैश्च वंशपात्रप्रकल्पितैः। रंजयेत्पट्टसूत्रैश्च शुभैः कुंकुमकेसरैः

virūḍhaiḥ saptadhānyaiśca vaṁśapātraprakalpitaiḥ| raṁjayetpaṭṭasūtraiśca śubhaiḥ kuṁkumakesaraiḥ

— with sprouted shoots of the seven grains grown in bamboo vessels, and adorn it with silken thread and auspicious saffron and kumkum.

Verse 88 (skanda.7.166.88)

अवतारं करोत्येवं सावित्री ब्रह्मणः प्रिया

avatāraṁ karotyevaṁ sāvitrī brahmaṇaḥ priyā

Thus worshipped, Savitri, the beloved of Brahma, descends into that image.

Verse 89 (skanda.7.166.89)

तामर्च्चयीत मन्त्रेण सावित्र्या ब्रह्मणा समम्। इतरेषां पुराणोक्तो मंत्रोऽयं समुदाहृतः

tāmarccayīta mantreṇa sāvitryā brahmaṇā samam| itareṣāṁ purāṇokto mantro'yaṁ samudāhṛtaḥ

One should worship her, together with Brahma, with a mantra; for the sake of others, this mantra spoken in the Purana is declared —

Verse 90 (skanda.7.166.90)

ओंकारपूर्वके देवि वीणापुस्तकधारिणि। वेदांबिके नमस्तुभ्यमवैधव्यं प्रयच्छ मे

oṁkārapūrvake devi vīṇāpustakadhāriṇi| vedāṁbike namastubhyamavaidhavyaṁ prayaccha me

'O Goddess preceded by the syllable Om, bearer of the lute and the book, O Mother of the Vedas, obeisance to you; grant me the state of never becoming a widow.'

Verse 91 (skanda.7.166.91)

एवं संपूज्य विधिवज्जागरं तत्र कारयेत्। गीतवादित्रशब्देन नरनारीकदंबकम्। नृत्यद्धसन्नयेद्रात्रिं नृत्यशास्त्रविशारदैः

evaṁ saṁpūjya vidhivajjāgaraṁ tatra kārayet| gītavāditraśabdena naranārīkadaṁbakam| nṛtyaddhasannayedrātriṁ nṛtyaśāstraviśāradaiḥ

Having thus worshipped duly, one should hold a night-vigil there; amid the sounds of song and music, the gathered men and women, along with those skilled in the art of dance, should pass the night dancing and laughing.

Verse 92 (skanda.7.166.92)

सावित्र्याख्यानकं चापि वाचयीत द्विजोत्तमान्। यावत्प्रभातसमयं गीतभावरसैः सह

sāvitryākhyānakaṁ cāpi vācayīta dvijottamān| yāvatprabhātasamayaṁ gītabhāvarasaiḥ saha

One should also have the foremost twice-born recite the tale of Savitri, until the hour of dawn, together with the sentiment and flavor of song.

Verse 93 (skanda.7.166.93)

विवाहमेवं कृत्वा तु सावित्र्या ब्रह्मणा सह। परिधाप्य सितैर्वस्त्रैर्दंपतीनां तु सप्तकम्

vivāhamevaṁ kṛtvā tu sāvitryā brahmaṇā saha| paridhāpya sitairvastrairdaṁpatīnāṁ tu saptakam

Having thus performed the marriage of Savitri with Brahma, one should clothe seven married couples in white garments.

Verse 94 (skanda.7.166.94)

गृहदानं प्रदातव्यं सर्वोपस्करसंयुतम्। ब्राह्मणे वेदविदुषे सावित्रीं विनिवेदयेत्

gṛhadānaṁ pradātavyaṁ sarvopaskarasaṁyutam| brāhmaṇe vedaviduṣe sāvitrīṁ vinivedayet

One should give the gift of a house, furnished with all its equipment; and the image of Savitri should be offered to a brahmin learned in the Vedas.

Verse 95 (skanda.7.166.95)

अथ सावित्रीकल्पज्ञे सावित्र्याख्यानवाचके। दैवज्ञे ह्युञ्छवृत्तिस्थे दरिद्रे चाग्निहोत्रिणि

atha sāvitrīkalpajñe sāvitryākhyānavācake| daivajñe hyuñchavṛttisthe daridre cāgnihotriṇi

It should be given to one versed in the Savitri ritual manual, who recites the Savitri legend, who is an astrologer, who lives by gleaning fallen grain, who is poor, and who tends the sacred fire.

Verse 96 (skanda.7.166.96)

एवं दत्त्वा विधानेन तस्यां रात्रौ निमन्त्रयेत्। पौर्णमास्यां वटाधस्ताद्दंपतीनां चतुर्दश

evaṁ dattvā vidhānena tasyāṁ rātrau nimantrayet| paurṇamāsyāṁ vaṭādhastāddaṁpatīnāṁ caturdaśa

Having thus given the gift according to rite, on that very night of the full moon, one should invite fourteen married couples beneath a banyan tree.

Verse 97 (skanda.7.166.97)

ततः प्रभातसमये उषःकाल उपस्थिते। भक्ष्यभोज्यादिकं सर्वं सावित्रीस्थलमानयेत्

tataḥ prabhātasamaye uṣaḥkāla upasthite| bhakṣyabhojyādikaṁ sarvaṁ sāvitrīsthalamānayet

Then in the morning, when the hour of dawn arrives, all the food and provisions should be brought to Savitri's site.

Verse 98 (skanda.7.166.98)

पाकं कृत्वा तु शुचिना रक्षां कृत्वा प्रयत्नतः। ब्राह्मणान्गृहिणीयुक्तांस्तत आह्वानयेत्सुधीः

pākaṁ kṛtvā tu śucinā rakṣāṁ kṛtvā prayatnataḥ| brāhmaṇāngṛhiṇīyuktāṁstata āhvānayetsudhīḥ

Having cooked the food with purity and diligently guarded it, the wise one should then invite the brahmins, together with their wives.

Verse 99 (skanda.7.166.99)

सावित्र्याः स्थलके तत्र कृत्वा पादाभिषेचनम्। सुस्नातान्ब्राह्मणांस्तत्र सभार्यानुपवेशयेत्

sāvitryāḥ sthalake tatra kṛtvā pādābhiṣecanam| susnātānbrāhmaṇāṁstatra sabhāryānupaveśayet

At Savitri's site, having washed their feet, one should seat the well-bathed brahmins there, together with their wives.

Verse 100 (skanda.7.166.100)

सावित्र्याः पुरतो देवि दंपत्योर्भोजनं ददेत्। तेनाहं भोजितस्तत्र भवामीह न संशय

sāvitryāḥ purato devi daṁpatyorbhojanaṁ dadet| tenāhaṁ bhojitastatra bhavāmīha na saṁśaya

O Goddess, before Savitri one should feed the first married couple; by this, I myself am fed there — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 101 (skanda.7.166.101)

द्वितीयं भोजयेद्यस्तु भोजितस्तेन केशवः। लक्ष्म्याः सहायो वरदो वरांस्तस्य प्रयच्छति

dvitīyaṁ bhojayedyastu bhojitastena keśavaḥ| lakṣmyāḥ sahāyo varado varāṁstasya prayacchati

Whoever feeds the second couple thereby feeds Keshava, the companion of Lakshmi and giver of boons, who then grants him boons.

Verse 102 (skanda.7.166.102)

सावित्र्या सहितो ब्रह्मा तृतीये भोजितो भवेत्। एकैकं भोजनं तत्र कोटिभोजसमं स्मृतम्

sāvitryā sahito brahmā tṛtīye bhojito bhavet| ekaikaṁ bhojanaṁ tatra koṭibhojasamaṁ smṛtam

By the third, Brahma together with Savitri is fed; each single feeding there is considered equal to feeding ten million.

Verse 103 (skanda.7.166.103)

अष्टादशप्रकारेण षड्रसीकृतभोजनम्। देव्यास्तत्र महादेवि सावित्रीस्थलसन्निधौ

aṣṭādaśaprakāreṇa ṣaḍrasīkṛtabhojanam| devyāstatra mahādevi sāvitrīsthalasannidhau

O great Goddess, there near Savitri's site, an offering of eighteen kinds of food, composed of all six flavors, is prescribed for the goddess.

Verse 104 (skanda.7.166.104)

विधवा न कुले तस्य न वंध्या न च दुर्भगा। न कन्याजननी चापि न च स्याद्भर्तुरप्रिया। अष्टौ दोषास्तु नारीणां न भवंति कदाचन

vidhavā na kule tasya na vaṁdhyā na ca durbhagā| na kanyājananī cāpi na ca syādbharturapriyā| aṣṭau doṣāstu nārīṇāṁ na bhavaṁti kadācana

In his lineage no woman shall be a widow, nor barren, nor unfortunate, nor one who bears only daughters, nor unloved by her husband; the eight faults of women shall never occur there.

Verse 105 (skanda.7.166.105)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन सावित्र्यग्रे च भोजनम्। दातव्यं सर्वदा देवि कटुनीलविवर्जितम्

tasmātsarvaprayatnena sāvitryagre ca bhojanam| dātavyaṁ sarvadā devi kaṭunīlavivarjitam

Therefore, O Goddess, with every effort one should always offer before Savitri food that is free of bitterness and of any dark-blue coloring.

Verse 106 (skanda.7.166.106)

न चाम्लं न च वै क्षारं स्त्रीणां भोज्यं कदाचन। पंचप्रकारं मधुरं हृद्यं सर्वं सुसंस्कृतम्

na cāmlaṁ na ca vai kṣāraṁ strīṇāṁ bhojyaṁ kadācana| pañcaprakāraṁ madhuraṁ hṛdyaṁ sarvaṁ susaṁskṛtam

Sour or alkaline food should never be given to the women; only five kinds of sweet, agreeable, and well-prepared food should be offered.

Verse 107 (skanda.7.166.107)

घृतपूर्णापूपकाश्च बहुक्षीरसमन्विताः। पूपकास्तादृशाः कार्या द्वितीयाऽशोकवर्तिका

ghṛtapūrṇāpūpakāśca bahukṣīrasamanvitāḥ| pūpakāstādṛśāḥ kāryā dvitīyā'śokavartikā

Cakes full of ghee, rich with abundant milk, should be prepared; as a second offering, the Ashokavartika sweet should be made.

Verse 108 (skanda.7.166.108)

तृतीया पूपिका कार्या खर्जुरेण समन्विताः। चतुर्थश्चैव संयावो गुडाज्याभ्यां समन्वितः

tṛtīyā pūpikā kāryā kharjureṇa samanvitāḥ| caturthaścaiva saṁyāvo guḍājyābhyāṁ samanvitaḥ

As a third offering, a small cake mixed with dates should be made, and as a fourth, the Samyava sweet, mixed with jaggery and ghee.

Verse 109 (skanda.7.166.109)

आह्लादकारिणी पुंसां स्त्रीणां चातीव वल्लभा। धनधान्यजनोपेतं नारीनरशताकुलम्। पूपकैस्तु कुलं तस्या जायते नात्र संशयः

āhlādakāriṇī puṁsāṁ strīṇāṁ cātīva vallabhā| dhanadhānyajanopetaṁ nārīnaraśatākulam| pūpakaistu kulaṁ tasyā jāyate nātra saṁśayaḥ

This brings delight to men and is exceedingly dear to women; by the gift of these cakes, one's lineage becomes filled with wealth, grain, and hundreds of men and women — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 110 (skanda.7.166.110)

न ज्वरो न च संतापो दुःखं च न वियोगजम्। अशोकवर्तिदानेन कुलानामेकविंशतिः

na jvaro na ca saṁtāpo duḥkhaṁ ca na viyogajam| aśokavartidānena kulānāmekaviṁśatiḥ

By the gift of the Ashokavartika sweet, for twenty-one generations the lineage shall know neither fever, nor anguish, nor sorrow born of separation.

Verse 111 (skanda.7.166.111)

वधूभिश्च सुतैश्चैव दासीदासैरनन्तकैः। पूरितं च कुलं तस्याः पूरिका या प्रयच्छति

vadhūbhiśca sutaiścaiva dāsīdāsairanantakaiḥ| pūritaṁ ca kulaṁ tasyāḥ pūrikā yā prayacchati

Whoever gives the gift of the Purika cake, her lineage becomes filled with daughters-in-law, sons, and countless maidservants and menservants.

Verse 112 (skanda.7.166.112)

पुत्रिण्यो वै दुहितरो वधूभिः सहिताः कुले। शिखरिणीप्रदात्रीणां युवतीनां न संशयः

putriṇyo vai duhitaro vadhūbhiḥ sahitāḥ kule| śikhariṇīpradātrīṇāṁ yuvatīnāṁ na saṁśayaḥ

For those young women who give the gift of the date-cake Shikharini, their lineage is blessed with daughters who themselves bear sons, together with daughters-in-law — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 113 (skanda.7.166.113)

मोदते च कुलं सर्वं सर्वसिद्धिप्रपूरितम्। मोदकानां प्रदानेन एवमाह पितामहः

modate ca kulaṁ sarvaṁ sarvasiddhipra pūritam| modakānāṁ pradānena evamāha pitāmahaḥ

By the gift of sweet modaka cakes, the entire lineage rejoices and becomes filled with every accomplishment — so the Grandsire himself has declared.

Verse 114 (skanda.7.166.114)

एतच्च गौरिणीनां तु भोजनं हि विशिष्यते

etacca gauriṇīnāṁ tu bhojanaṁ hi viśiṣyate

This food is especially prescribed for fair, fortunate women.

Verse 115 (skanda.7.166.115)

सुभगा पुत्रिणी साध्वी धनऋद्धिसमन्विता। सहस्रभोजिनी देवि भवेज्जन्मनिजन्मनि

subhagā putriṇī sādhvī dhanaṛddhisamanvitā| sahasrabhojinī devi bhavejjanmanijanmani

O Goddess, such a woman shall, in birth after birth, be fortunate, blessed with sons, virtuous, endowed with wealth and prosperity, and a feeder of thousands.

Verse 116 (skanda.7.166.116)

पानानि चैव मुख्यानि हृद्यानि मधुराणि च। द्राक्षापानं तु चिंचायाः पानं गुडसमन्वितम्

pānāni caiva mukhyāni hṛdyāni madhurāṇi ca| drākṣāpānaṁ tu ciṁcāyāḥ pānaṁ guḍasamanvitam

Among drinks, the chief, most agreeable, and sweetest are grape-juice and tamarind drink mixed with jaggery.

Verse 117 (skanda.7.166.117)

सरसेन तु तोयेन कृतखण्डेन वै शुभम्। सुवासिनीनां पेयं वै दातव्यं च द्विजन्मनाम्

sarasena tu toyena kṛtakhaṇḍena vai śubham| suvāsinīnāṁ peyaṁ vai dātavyaṁ ca dvijanmanām

An auspicious drink made with sweet water and sugar-crystals should be given to the fortunate married women and to the twice-born.

Verse 118 (skanda.7.166.118)

इतरैरितराण्येव वर्णयोग्यानि यानि च। सुरभीणि च पानानि तासु योग्यानि दापयेत्

itarairitarāṇyeva varṇayogyāni yāni ca| surabhīṇi ca pānāni tāsu yogyāni dāpayet

For others, other fragrant drinks appropriate to their respective standing should be given, as befits each.

Verse 119 (skanda.7.166.119)

प्रतिपूज्य विधानेन वस्त्रदानैः सकंचुकैः। कुङ्कुमेनानुलिप्तांगाः स्रग्दामभिरलंकृताः। गंधैर्धूपैश्च संपूज्य नालिकेरान्प्रदापयेत्

pratipūjya vidhānena vastradānaiḥ sakaṁcukaiḥ| kuṅkumenānuliptāṁgāḥ sragdāmabhiralaṁkṛtāḥ| gaṁdhairdhūpaiśca saṁpūjya nālikerānpradāpayet

Having duly honored them with gifts of garments and bodices, anointing their limbs with kumkum, adorning them with garlands, and worshipping them with fragrances and incense, one should give them coconuts as well.

Verse 120 (skanda.7.166.120)

नेत्राणां चाञ्जनं कृत्वा सिन्दूरं चैव मस्तके। पूगीफलानि हृद्यानि वासितानि मृदूनि च। हस्ते दत्त्वा सपात्राणि प्रणिपत्य विसर्जयेत्

netrāṇāṁ cāñjanaṁ kṛtvā sindūraṁ caiva mastake| pūgīphalāni hṛdyāni vāsitāni mṛdūni ca| haste dattvā sapātrāṇi praṇipatya visarjayet

Applying collyrium to their eyes and vermilion upon their foreheads, placing in their hands, together with vessels, soft and fragrant betel-nuts pleasing to the heart, one should bow to them and take leave.

Verse 121 (skanda.7.166.121)

स्वयं च भोजयेत्पश्चाद्बंधुभिर्बालकैः सह

svayaṁ ca bhojayetpaścādbaṁdhubhirbālakaiḥ saha

Afterward, one should oneself dine, together with kinsfolk and children.

Verse 122 (skanda.7.166.122)

अथवा नैव संपद्येत्तीर्थे चैव तु भोजनम्। गृहे गत्वा प्रभोक्तव्यं तुष्टा देवी यथा भवेत्

athavā naiva saṁpadyettīrthe caiva tu bhojanam| gṛhe gatvā prabhoktavyaṁ tuṣṭā devī yathā bhavet

Or, if dining at the sacred site is not possible, one should dine on returning home, in such a way that the Goddess remains pleased.

Verse 123 (skanda.7.166.123)

एवमेव पितॄणां च आगम्य स्वे च मन्दिरे। पिण्डप्रदानपूर्वं तु श्राद्धं कृत्वा विधानतः। पितरस्तस्य तुष्टा वै भवन्ति ब्रह्मणो दिनम्

evameva pitṝṇāṁ ca āgamya sve ca mandire| piṇḍapradānapūrvaṁ tu śrāddhaṁ kṛtvā vidhānataḥ| pitarastasya tuṣṭā vai bhavaṁti brahmaṇo dinam

Likewise, returning to one's own home and performing the ancestral rite duly, preceded by the offering of rice-balls, on this day of Brahma his ancestors become satisfied.

Verse 124 (skanda.7.166.124)

तीर्थादष्टगुणं पुण्यं स्वगृहे ददतः शुभे। न च पश्यन्ति वै नीचाः श्राद्धं दत्तं द्विजातिभिः

tīrthādaṣṭaguṇaṁ puṇyaṁ svagṛhe dadataḥ śubhe| na ca paśyaṁti vai nīcāḥ śrāddhaṁ dattaṁ dvijātibhiḥ

O auspicious one, giving in one's own home yields eightfold the merit of giving at a sacred ford, provided the ancestral rite performed by the twice-born is not witnessed by base persons.

Verse 125 (skanda.7.166.125)

एकान्ते तु गृहे गुप्ते पितॄणां श्राद्धमिष्यते। नीचं दृष्ट्वा हतं तत्तु पितॄणां नोपतिष्ठति

ekānte tu gṛhe gupte pitṝṇāṁ śrāddhamiṣyate| nīcaṁ dṛṣṭvā hataṁ tattu pitṝṇāṁ nopatiṣṭhati

The ancestral rite should be performed in a solitary, hidden part of the house; if seen by a base person, it is destroyed and does not reach the ancestors.

Verse 126 (skanda.7.166.126)

तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेन श्राद्धं गुप्तं च कारयेत्। पितॄणां तृप्तिदं प्रोक्तं स्वयमेव स्वयंभुवा

tasmātsarvaprayatnena śrāddhaṁ guptaṁ ca kārayet| pitṝṇāṁ tṛptidaṁ proktaṁ svayameva svayaṁbhuvā

Therefore, with every effort, the ancestral rite should be performed in secret; this has been declared, by the Self-Born himself, to be what satisfies the ancestors.

Verse 127 (skanda.7.166.127)

गौरीभोज्यादिका या तु उत्सर्गात्क्रियते क्रिया। राजसी सा समाख्याता जनानां कीर्तिदायिनी

gaurībhojyādikā yā tu utsargātkriyate kriyā| rājasī sā samākhyātā janānāṁ kīrtidāyinī

That rite which is performed openly, such as feeding fortunate women in Gauri's honor, is called rajasic (of active virtue) and confers fame upon people.

Verse 128 (skanda.7.166.128)

इदं दानं सदा देयमात्मनो हित मिच्छता। श्राद्धे चैव विशेषेण यदीच्छेत्सात्त्विकं फलम्

idaṁ dānaṁ sadā deyamātmano hita micchatā| śrāddhe caiva viśeṣeṇa yadīcchetsāttvikaṁ phalam

This gift should always be given by one who desires his own welfare, and especially in the ancestral rite, if he desires the fruit of purity.

Verse 129 (skanda.7.166.129)

इदमुद्यापनं देवि सावित्र्यास्तु व्रतस्य च। सर्वपातकशुद्ध्यर्थं कार्यं देवि नरैः सदा। अकामतः कामतो वा पापं नश्यति तत्क्षणात्

idamudyāpanaṁ devi sāvitryāstu vratasya ca| sarvapātakaśuddhyarthaṁ kāryaṁ devi naraiḥ sadā| akāmataḥ kāmato vā pāpaṁ naśyati tatkṣaṇāt

O Goddess, this is the completion rite of the Savitri vow, which men should always perform for the purification of all sins; whether done intentionally or unintentionally, sin is destroyed in that very instant.

Verse 130 (skanda.7.166.130)

इह लोके तु सौभाग्यं धनं धान्यं वराः स्त्रियः। भवंति विविधास्तेषां यैर्यात्रा तत्र वै कृता

iha loke tu saubhāgyaṁ dhanaṁ dhānyaṁ varāḥ striyaḥ| bhavaṁti vividhāstesāṁ yairyātrā tatra vai kṛtā

In this world, for those who have made the pilgrimage there, good fortune, wealth, grain, and excellent wives come to them in manifold ways.

Verse 131 (skanda.7.166.131)

इदं यात्राविधानं तु भक्त्या यः कुरुते नरः। शृणोति वा स पापैस्तु सर्वैरेव प्रमुच्यते

idaṁ yātrāvidhānaṁ tu bhaktyā yaḥ kurute naraḥ| śṛṇoti vā sa pāpaistu sarvaireva pramucyate

Whatever man performs this pilgrimage-rite with devotion, or even hears of it, is freed from all sins.

Verse 132 (skanda.7.166.132)

ज्येष्ठस्य पूर्णिमायां तु सावित्रीस्थलके शुभे। प्रदक्षिणा यः कुरुते फलदानैर्यथाविधि

jyeṣṭhasya pūrṇimāyāṁ tu sāvitrīsthalake śubhe| pradakṣiṇā yaḥ kurute phaladānairyathāvidhi

Whoever, on the full moon of Jyeshtha, at the auspicious site of Savitri, performs circumambulation with offerings of fruit according to rite —

Verse 133 (skanda.7.166.133)

अष्टोत्तरशतं वापि तदर्धार्धं तदर्धकम्। यः करोति नरो देवि सृष्ट्वा तत्र प्रदक्षिणाम्

aṣṭottaraśataṁ vāpi tadardhārdhaṁ tadardhakam| yaḥ karoti naro devi sṛṣṭvā tatra pradakṣiṇām

O Goddess, whether one hundred and eight times, or half that, or a quarter of that — whatever man performs such circumambulation there —

Verse 134 (skanda.7.166.134)

अगम्यागमनं यैश्च कृतं ज्ञानाच्च मानवैः। अन्यानि पातकान्येवं नश्यंते नात्र संशयः

agamyāgamanaṁ yaiśca kṛtaṁ jñānācca mānavaiḥ| anyāni pātakānyevaṁ naśyaṁte nātra saṁśayaḥ

— even the sin of consorting with a forbidden woman knowingly committed by men, and other sins as well, are thus destroyed — of this there is no doubt.

Verse 135 (skanda.7.166.135)

यैर्गत्वा स्थलके संध्या सावित्र्याः समुपासिता। स्वपत्न्याश्चैव हस्तेन पांडुकूपजलेन च

yairgatvā sthalake saṁdhyā sāvitryāḥ samupāsitā| svapatnyāścaiva hastena pāṁḍukūpajalena ca

By those who, having gone to Savitri's site, have performed the twilight worship, with the water of Pandukupa brought by their own wife's hand —

Verse 136 (skanda.7.166.136)

भृंगारकनकेनैव मृन्मयेनाथ भामिनि। आनीय तु जलं पुण्यं संध्योपास्तिं करोति यः। तेन द्वादशवर्षाणि भवेत्संध्या ह्युपासिता

bhṛṁgārakanakenaiva mṛnmayenātha bhāmini| ānīya tu jalaṁ puṇyaṁ saṁdhyopāstiṁ karoti yaḥ| tena dvādaśavarṣāṇi bhavetsaṁdhyā hyupāsitā

O lovely one, whoever, bringing that sacred water in a golden or clay pitcher, performs the twilight worship, by that act is deemed to have performed the twilight worship for twelve years.

Verse 137 (skanda.7.166.137)

अश्वमेधफलं स्नाने दाने दशगुणं तथा। उपवासे त्वनंतं च कथायाः श्रवणे तथा

aśvamedhaphalaṁ snāne dāne daśaguṇaṁ tathā| upavāse tvanaṁtaṁ ca kathāyāḥ śravaṇe tathā

In bathing there, one obtains the fruit of the horse-sacrifice; in giving, tenfold that; in fasting, an infinite fruit; and likewise in hearing this tale, an infinite fruit.