Sṛṣṭi-khaṇḍa · Chapter 51
Sourceनरोत्तम उवाच- त्रिदशानां च देवानामन्येषां जगदीश्वरः। प्रभुः कर्ता च हर्त्ता च गोप्ता भर्त्ता पिता प्रसूः१। अस्माकं वाक्श्रमो विष्णोः कथनेनैव युज्यते। किंतु कौतूहलं मेऽस्ति पिपासा वा क्षुधापि वा२। कृतं पृच्छति येनैव वक्तव्यं तत्प्रियेण हि। अतीतं चैव जानाति कथं नाथ पतिव्रता३। किं वा तस्यां प्रभावं च वक्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः। भगवानुवाच- कथितं मे पुरा वत्स पुनः कौतूहलं द्विज४। कथयिष्यामि तत्सर्वं यत्ते मनसि वर्तते। पतिव्रता पतिप्राणा सदा पत्युर्हिते रता५। देवानामपि साऽऽराध्या मुनीनां ब्रह्मवादिनां। धवस्यैकस्य या नारी लोके पूज्यतमा स्मृता६। तस्या संमानने गुर्वी निभृता न भविष्यति। मध्यदेशे पुरा तात नगरी चातिशोभना७। तस्यां च ब्रह्मजातीया सेव्या नाम्नी पतिव्रता। तस्या धवोऽभवत्कुष्ठी पूर्वकर्मविरोधतः८। गलद्व्रणास्य पत्युश्च नित्यं चर्यापरायणा। यद्यन्मनोरथं तस्य शक्त्या सा कुरुते भृशम्९। अर्चयेद्देववन्नित्यं स्नेहं कुर्यादमत्सरा। कदाचित्पथि गच्छंतीं वेश्यां परमसुंदरीम्१०। दृष्ट्वाऽतीवाभवन्मोहान्मन्मथाविष्टचेतनः। निश्श्वस्य सुतरां दीर्घं ततस्तु विमनाऽभवत्११। श्रुत्वा गृहाद्विनिःसृत्य साध्वी पप्रच्छ तं पतिं। उन्मनास्त्वं कथं नाथ निःश्वासस्ते कथं विभो१२। ब्रूहि मे यच्च कर्तव्यमकर्तव्यं च यत्प्रियम्। दयितं ते करिष्यामि त्वमेको मे गुरुः प्रियः१३। अभीष्टं वद मे नाथ यथाशक्ति करोम्यहम्। इत्युक्ते तामुवाचेदं वृथा किं भाषसे प्रिये१४। न शक्ता त्वं न चैवाहं मोघं वक्तुं न युज्यते। प्रष्टुं नाधिकरोषीति यथा दीर्घतरोः फलम्१५। भूमौ स्थित्वा तु खर्वात्मा समुद्धर्तुं प्रवांछति। तथा मे रमणी लोभान्मोहाद्यदभिवांछितम्१६। दंपत्योरपि दुःसाध्यमपयानं वदाम्यहम्। पतिव्रतोवाच- ज्ञात्वा तु त्वन्मनोवृत्तं शक्ताहं कार्यसाधने१७। आदेशं कुरु मे नाथ कर्तव्यं येन केनचित्। यदि ते दुर्लभं कार्यं कर्तुं शक्नोमि यत्नतः१८। तदा मे त्वतिकल्याणं फलिष्यति परे त्विह। इत्युक्ते परमः प्रीतः स्थितो वचनमब्रवीत्१९। पापाभ्यासाच्च पाप्मानं पृच्छतीति विनिश्चयः। पथ्यस्मिन्संप्रगच्छंतीं वेश्यां परमसुंदरीम्२०। सर्वतश्चानवद्यांगीं दृष्ट्वा मे दह्यते मनः। यदि तां त्वत्प्रसादाच्च प्राप्नोमि नवयौवनां२१। तदा मे सफलं जन्म कुरु साध्वि हितं मम। यदि मां कुष्ठिनं दीनं पूतिगंधं नवव्रणम्२२। न गच्छति वरारोहा तदा मे निधनं हितम्। श्रुत्वा तेनेरितं वाक्यं साध्वी वचनमब्रवीत्२३। यथाशक्ति करिष्यामि स्थिरी भव प्रभोऽधुना। मनसाथ समालोच्य क्षपांते ह्युषसि द्रुतम्२४। गोमयं सह शोधन्या गृहीत्वा सा ययौ मुदा। संप्राप्य गणिकागेहं शोधयित्वा च चत्वरम्२५। प्रतोलीं वीथिकां चैव गोमयं प्रददौ मुदा। सा तूर्णमागता गेहे जनस्यालोकने भयात्२६। एवं क्रमेण सा साध्वी चरति स्म दिनत्रयम्। अथ सा वारमुख्या च चेटिकाश्चेटकानपि२७। अपृच्छत्कस्य कर्माणि शोभनानि च चत्वरे। मया नोक्तेप्युषः काले कस्य मत्प्रियकारणात्२८। रुच्यकर्मणि दीप्यंते रथ्या चत्त्वर वीथिकाः। परस्परेण संचिंत्य वारमुख्यां च तेऽब्रुवन्२९। अस्माभिर्न कृतं भद्रे कर्म चैतत्प्रमार्जनम्। अथ सा विस्मयं गत्वा संचिंत्य रजनीक्षये३०। तया च दृश्यते सा च तथैव पुनरागता। दृष्ट्वा तां महतीं साध्वीं ब्राह्मणीं च पतिव्रताम्३१। दधार चरणे तस्या हा क्षमस्वेति भाषिणी। आयुर्देहं च संपत्तिर्यशोर्थः कीर्तिरेव च ३२। एतासां मे विनाशाय स्फुरसीव पतिव्रते। यद्यत्प्रार्थयसे साध्वि नित्यं दास्यामि तद्दृढम्३३। सुवर्णं मणिरत्नं वा चेलं वा यन्मनोरथं। तामुवाच ततः साध्वी न मे चार्थे प्रयोजनम्३४। अस्ति कार्यं च ते किञ्चिद्वदामि कुरुषे यदि। तदा मे हृदि संतोषः कृतं सर्वं त्वयाऽधुना३५। गणिकोवाच- सत्यं सत्यं करिष्यामि द्रुतं वद पतिव्रते। कुरु मे रक्षणं मातर्द्रुतं कृत्यं च मे वद३६। त्रपया निकृतं वाच्यं तस्यामुक्तं वरं प्रियम्। क्षणं विमृश्य सा वेश्या कृत्वा क्षांतिमुवाच च३७। कुष्ठिनः पूतिगंधस्य संपर्के दुःखिता भृशम्। दिनैकं च करिष्यामि यद्यागच्छति मद्गृहम्३८। पतिव्रतोवाच- आगमिष्यामि ते गेहमद्य रात्रौ च सुंदरि। भुक्तभोग्यं पतिं हृष्टं पुनर्नेष्यामि मद्गृहम्३९। गणिकोवाच- गच्छ शीघ्रं महाभागे स्वगृहं च पतिव्रते। पतिस्ते चार्द्धरात्रे स आगच्छतु च मद्गृहम्४०। बहवो मे प्रियास्संति राजानस्तत्समाश्च ये। एकैको मद्गृहे नित्यं तिष्ठतीह निरंतरम्४१। अद्याहं मे गृहं शून्यं करिष्यामि च त्वद्भयात्। स चागच्छतु ते भर्त्ता स चास्मान्प्राप्य गच्छतु४२। एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु सा साध्वी गतासौ स्वगृहे तथा। पत्यौ निवेदयामास कृत्यं ते फलितं प्रभो४३। अद्य रात्रौ च तद्गेहं गंतुं ख्यातिं करोति सा। प्रभूताः पतयस्तस्यास्तव कालो न विद्यते४४। विप्र उवाच- कथं यास्यामि तद्गेहं मया गंतुं न शक्यते। एतज्ज्ञात्वा कुतः क्षांतिः कृतं कार्यं कथं भवेत्४५। पतिव्रतोवाच- स्वपृष्ठस्थमहं कृत्वा नेष्यामि तद्गृहं प्रति। सिद्धे ह्यर्थे नयिष्यामि पुनस्ते नैव वर्त्मना४६। द्विज उवाच- कल्याणि त्वत्कृतेनैव सर्वं मे कृत्यमेष्यति। इदानीं यत्कृतं कर्म स्त्रीजनैरपि दुःसहम्४७। तस्मिंश्च नगरे रम्ये नित्यं च धनिनो गृहे। पौरेश्च प्रचुरं वित्तं हृतं राज्ञा श्रुतं तदा४८। श्रुत्वा सर्वान्निशाचारानाहूय नृपती रुषा। जीवितुं यदि वो वांछा चोरं मामद्य दास्यथ४९। गृहीत्वा तु नृपस्याज्ञां यत्तैर्जिघृक्षयाकुलैः। चारैश्चोरो गृहीतस्तैर्बलाच्चैव नृपाज्ञया५० 1.51.50। नगरोपांतदेशे च वृक्षमूले घने वने। समाधिस्थोमहातेजामांडव्योमुनिपुंगवः५१। व्यातिष्ठद्वह्निसंकाशो योगिनां प्रवरो मुनिः। अंतर्नाडीगतो वायुः किंचिन्न प्रतिभाति च५२। तं ब्रह्मतुल्यं तिष्ठन्तं दृष्ट्वा दुष्टा महामुनिम्। चोरोयमद्भुताकारो धूर्तस्तिष्ठति कानने५३। एवमुक्त्वा तु तं पापा बबन्धुर्मुनिसत्तमम्। नोक्ताश्च नेक्षितास्तेन पुरुषा अतिदारुणाः५४। ततो राजा उवाचेदं संप्राप्तस्तस्करो मया। उपांते च पथिद्वारे कुरुध्वं घोरदण्डनम्५५। मांडव्यश्च मुनिस्तत्र पथिशूले च कीलितः। पायुदेशे च तैर्दत्तं शूलं यावच्च मस्तकम्५६। व्यथां स च न जानाति शूले विद्धतनुर्यमात्। अन्यैरपि कृतो दण्डः कृतस्तैस्तु मनोहितः५७। एतस्मिन्नंतरे रात्रावंधकारे घनोन्नते। स्वपतिं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा प्रययौ सा पतिव्रता५८। मांडव्यस्य तनौ सङ्गात्कुष्ठिनो गंध आगतः। भग्नः समाधिस्तस्यैवं कुष्ठिसंसर्गतो ध्रुवम्५९। मांडव्य उवाच- एवं येनाधुना कृच्छ्रं कारितं गात्रवेदनम्। स एव भस्मतां यातु प्रोदिते च विरोचने६०। मांडव्येनैवमुक्तस्स पपात धरणीतले। ततः पतिव्रता चाह ब्रध्नो नोदयतु ध्रुवं६१। दिनत्रयं गृहं नीत्वा शापाद्वेश्मगता ततः। शयनीये स्थितं रम्ये धृत्वाऽतिष्ठत्पतिव्रता६२। शप्त्वा तं च मुनिश्रेष्ठो गतो देशमभीष्टकम्। सूरो नोदयते लोके यावच्चैव दिनत्रयम्६३। निखिलं व्यथितं दृष्ट्वा त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्। शतक्रतुं पुरस्कृत्य गता देवाः पितामहम्६४। वृत्तं न्यवेदयन्सर्वं पद्मयोनौ दिवौकसः। कारणं च न जानीमस्त्वं तु योग्यं विधेहि नः६५। ब्रह्मोवाच- पतिव्रताया यद्वृत्तं मांडव्यस्य मुनेश्च यत्। यथा नोदयते ब्रध्नो धाता देवेष्ववेदयत्६६। ततो देवा विमानैश्च पुरस्कृत्य प्रजापतिम्। गतास्तदंतिकं विप्र तूर्णं सर्वे च भूतलम्६७। तेषां श्रिया विमानानां मुनीनां किरणैस्तथा। शतसूर्यमिवाभाति नान्यत्र च गृहोदरे६८। हा हतास्मि कथं सूरो मद्गृहे समुपस्थितः। अदृश्यंत तया देवा विमानैर्हंससन्निभैः६९। एतस्मिन्नंतरे ब्रह्मा तामुवाच पतिव्रताम्। अखिलानां च देवानां द्विजानां च गवां तथा७०। यथैव निधनं तेषां कथं ते परिरोचते। मातः क्रोधं त्यजस्वाद्य सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति७१। पतिव्रतोवाच- सर्वलोकानतिक्रम्य पतिरेको गुरुर्मम। अस्य मृत्युर्मुनेश्शापादुदिते च विरोचने७२। तेनैव कारणेनैष मया शप्तो दिवाकरः। न कोपान्न च मोहाच्च लोभात्कामान्न मत्सरात्७३। ब्रह्मोवाच- एकस्य निधनेनैव त्रैलोक्यस्य हितं भवेत्। ततस्ते चाधिकं पुण्यं मातरेवं भविष्यति७४। सा चोवाच विधिं तत्र देवानामग्रतः सती। पतिं त्यक्त्वा च मे सत्यं शिवं मे नानुरोचते७५। ब्रह्मोवाच- उदिते च खगे सौम्ये पत्यौ ते भस्मतां गते। स्वस्थेभूते च त्रैलोक्ये करिष्यामि हितं तव७६। भस्मनः पुरुषो भाव्यः कामदेवसमप्रभः। गुणैः सर्वैर्युतो भर्ता रतिवत्त्वं च सर्वदा७७। यथापूज्यो हरिर्दैवैर्यथा लक्ष्मीश्च पूजिता। तथैव दंपती स्वर्गे तस्मान्मद्वचनं कुरु७८। पतिव्रतोवाच- पत्युर्मे निधने ब्रह्मन्विधवा लोकनिंदिता। कांस्तु लोकान्गमिष्यामि भग्ना चारामलीमसा७९। ब्रह्मोवाच- अतस्ते नास्ति दोषो वै न मृतस्ते धवोऽधुना। अस्माकं वचनेनैव कुष्ठी मन्मथतां व्रजेत्८०। वदत्येवंविधौ सा च विमृश्य क्षणमेव च। बाढमुक्तवती सा च ततस्सूर्योदयोऽभवत्८१। अभवद्भस्मरूपोऽसौ मुनिशापप्रपीडितः। भस्मनो मध्यतो जातो द्विजो मन्मथपीडितः८२। दृष्ट्वा विस्मयपमापन्नाः सर्वे ते पुरवासिनः। मुदिता देवसंघाश्च जनः स्वस्थतरोऽभवत्८३। विमानेनार्कवर्णेन स्वर्लोकादागतेन च। पतिना सह सा साध्वी सुरैः सार्द्धं गता दिवम्८४। एवं पतिव्रता यस्माच्छुभा चैव तु मत्समा। तेन वृत्तं च जानाति भूतं भव्यं प्रवर्तनम्८५। य इदं श्रावयेल्लोके पुण्याख्यानमनुत्तमम्। तस्य पापं क्षयं याति जन्मजन्मकृतं च यत्८६। अक्षयं लभते स्वर्गं विबुधैः संप्रयुज्यते। ब्राह्मणो लभते वेदं जन्मजन्मसु बाडव८७। सकृच्छृणोति यः पूतो दुष्कृतौघाद्विमुच्यते। सुरालयमवाप्नोति स्वर्गाद्भ्रष्टो धनी भवेत्८८।
narottama uvāca- tridaśānāṃ ca devānāmanyeṣāṃ jagadīśvaraḥ| prabhuḥ kartā ca harttā ca goptā bharttā pitā prasūḥ1| asmākaṃ vākśramo viṣṇoḥ kathanenaiva yujyate| kiṃtu kautūhalaṃ me'sti pipāsā vā kṣudhāpi vā2| kṛtaṃ pṛcchati yenaiva vaktavyaṃ tatpriyeṇa hi| atītaṃ caiva jānāti kathaṃ nātha pativratā3| kiṃ vā tasyāṃ prabhāvaṃ ca vaktumarhasyaśeṣataḥ| bhagavānuvāca- kathitaṃ me purā vatsa punaḥ kautūhalaṃ dvija4| kathayiṣyāmi tatsarvaṃ yatte manasi vartate| pativratā patiprāṇā sadā patyurhite ratā5| devānāmapi sā''rādhyā munīnāṃ brahmavādināṃ| dhavasyaikasya yā nārī loke pūjyatamā smṛtā6| tasyā saṃmānane gurvī nibhṛtā na bhaviṣyati| madhyadeśe purā tāta nagarī cātiśobhanā7| tasyāṃ ca brahmajātīyā sevyā nāmnī pativratā| tasyā dhavo'bhavatkuṣṭhī pūrvakarmavirodhataḥ8| galadvraṇāsya patyuśca nityaṃ caryāparāyaṇā| yadyanmanorathaṃ tasya śaktyā sā kurute bhṛśam9| arcayeddevavannityaṃ snehaṃ kuryādamatsarā| kadācitpathi gacchaṃtīṃ veśyāṃ paramasuṃdarīm10| dṛṣṭvā'tīvābhavanmohānmanmathāviṣṭacetanaḥ| niśśvasya sutarāṃ dīrghaṃ tatastu vimanā'bhavat11| śrutvā gṛhādviniḥsṛtya sādhvī papraccha taṃ patiṃ| unmanāstvaṃ kathaṃ nātha niḥśvāsaste kathaṃ vibho12| brūhi me yacca kartavyamakartavyaṃ ca yatpriyam| dayitaṃ te kariṣyāmi tvameko me guruḥ priyaḥ13| abhīṣṭaṃ vada me nātha yathāśakti karomyaham| ityukte tāmuvācedaṃ vṛthā kiṃ bhāṣase priye14| na śaktā tvaṃ na caivāhaṃ moghaṃ vaktuṃ na yujyate| praṣṭuṃ nādhikaroṣīti yathā dīrghataroḥ phalam15| bhūmau sthitvā tu kharvātmā samuddhartuṃ pravāṃchati| tathā me ramaṇī lobhānmohādyadabhivāṃchitam16| daṃpatyorapi duḥsādhyamapayānaṃ vadāmyaham| pativratovāca- jñātvā tu tvanmanovṛttaṃ śaktāhaṃ kāryasādhane17| ādeśaṃ kuru me nātha kartavyaṃ yena kenacit| yadi te durlabhaṃ kāryaṃ kartuṃ śaknomi yatnataḥ18| tadā me tvatikalyāṇaṃ phaliṣyati pare tviha| ityukte paramaḥ prītaḥ sthito vacanamabravīt19| pāpābhyāsācca pāpmānaṃ pṛcchatīti viniścayaḥ| pathyasminsaṃpragacchaṃtīṃ veśyāṃ paramasuṃdarīm20| sarvataścānavadyāṃgīṃ dṛṣṭvā me dahyate manaḥ| yadi tāṃ tvatprasādācca prāpnomi navayauvanāṃ21| tadā me saphalaṃ janma kuru sādhvi hitaṃ mama| yadi māṃ kuṣṭhinaṃ dīnaṃ pūtigaṃdhaṃ navavraṇam22| na gacchati varārohā tadā me nidhanaṃ hitam| śrutvā teneritaṃ vākyaṃ sādhvī vacanamabravīt23| yathāśakti kariṣyāmi sthirī bhava prabho'dhunā| manasātha samālocya kṣapāṃte hyuṣasi drutam24| gomayaṃ saha śodhanyā gṛhītvā sā yayau mudā| saṃprāpya gaṇikāgehaṃ śodhayitvā ca catvaram25| pratolīṃ vīthikāṃ caiva gomayaṃ pradadau mudā| sā tūrṇamāgatā gehe janasyālokane bhayāt26| evaṃ krameṇa sā sādhvī carati sma dinatrayam| atha sā vāramukhyā ca ceṭikāśceṭakānapi27| apṛcchatkasya karmāṇi śobhanāni ca catvare| mayā noktepyuṣaḥ kāle kasya matpriyakāraṇāt28| rucyakarmaṇi dīpyaṃte rathyā cattvara vīthikāḥ| paraspareṇa saṃciṃtya vāramukhyāṃ ca te'bruvan29| asmābhirna kṛtaṃ bhadre karma caitatpramārjanam| atha sā vismayaṃ gatvā saṃciṃtya rajanīkṣaye30| tayā ca dṛśyate sā ca tathaiva punarāgatā| dṛṣṭvā tāṃ mahatīṃ sādhvīṃ brāhmaṇīṃ ca pativratām31| dadhāra caraṇe tasyā hā kṣamasveti bhāṣiṇī| āyurdehaṃ ca saṃpattiryaśorthaḥ kīrtireva ca 32| etāsāṃ me vināśāya sphurasīva pativrate| yadyatprārthayase sādhvi nityaṃ dāsyāmi taddṛḍham33| suvarṇaṃ maṇiratnaṃ vā celaṃ vā yanmanorathaṃ| tāmuvāca tataḥ sādhvī na me cārthe prayojanam34| asti kāryaṃ ca te kiñcidvadāmi kuruṣe yadi| tadā me hṛdi saṃtoṣaḥ kṛtaṃ sarvaṃ tvayā'dhunā35| gaṇikovāca- satyaṃ satyaṃ kariṣyāmi drutaṃ vada pativrate| kuru me rakṣaṇaṃ mātardrutaṃ kṛtyaṃ ca me vada36| trapayā nikṛtaṃ vācyaṃ tasyāmuktaṃ varaṃ priyam| kṣaṇaṃ vimṛśya sā veśyā kṛtvā kṣāṃtimuvāca ca37| kuṣṭhinaḥ pūtigaṃdhasya saṃparke duḥkhitā bhṛśam| dinaikaṃ ca kariṣyāmi yadyāgacchati madgṛham38| pativratovāca- āgamiṣyāmi te gehamadya rātrau ca suṃdari| bhuktabhogyaṃ patiṃ hṛṣṭaṃ punarneṣyāmi madgṛham39| gaṇikovāca- gaccha śīghraṃ mahābhāge svagṛhaṃ ca pativrate| patiste cārddharātre sa āgacchatu ca madgṛham40| bahavo me priyāssaṃti rājānastatsamāśca ye| ekaiko madgṛhe nityaṃ tiṣṭhatīha niraṃtaram41| adyāhaṃ me gṛhaṃ śūnyaṃ kariṣyāmi ca tvadbhayāt| sa cāgacchatu te bharttā sa cāsmānprāpya gacchatu42| etacchrutvā tu sā sādhvī gatāsau svagṛhe tathā| patyau nivedayāmāsa kṛtyaṃ te phalitaṃ prabho43| adya rātrau ca tadgehaṃ gaṃtuṃ khyātiṃ karoti sā| prabhūtāḥ patayastasyāstava kālo na vidyate44| vipra uvāca- kathaṃ yāsyāmi tadgehaṃ mayā gaṃtuṃ na śakyate| etajjñātvā kutaḥ kṣāṃtiḥ kṛtaṃ kāryaṃ kathaṃ bhavet45| pativratovāca- svapṛṣṭhasthamahaṃ kṛtvā neṣyāmi tadgṛhaṃ prati| siddhe hyarthe nayiṣyāmi punaste naiva vartmanā46| dvija uvāca- kalyāṇi tvatkṛtenaiva sarvaṃ me kṛtyameṣyati| idānīṃ yatkṛtaṃ karma strījanairapi duḥsaham47| tasmiṃśca nagare ramye nityaṃ ca dhanino gṛhe| paureśca pracuraṃ vittaṃ hṛtaṃ rājñā śrutaṃ tadā48| śrutvā sarvānniśācārānāhūya nṛpatī ruṣā| jīvituṃ yadi vo vāṃchā coraṃ māmadya dāsyatha49| gṛhītvā tu nṛpasyājñāṃ yattairjighṛkṣayākulaiḥ| cāraiścoro gṛhītastairbalāccaiva nṛpājñayā50 1.51.50| nagaropāṃtadeśe ca vṛkṣamūle ghane vane| samādhisthomahātejāmāṃḍavyomunipuṃgavaḥ51| vyātiṣṭhadvahnisaṃkāśo yogināṃ pravaro muniḥ| aṃtarnāḍīgato vāyuḥ kiṃcinna pratibhāti ca52| taṃ brahmatulyaṃ tiṣṭhantaṃ dṛṣṭvā duṣṭā mahāmunim| coroyamadbhutākāro dhūrtastiṣṭhati kānane53| evamuktvā tu taṃ pāpā babandhurmunisattamam| noktāśca nekṣitāstena puruṣā atidāruṇāḥ54| tato rājā uvācedaṃ saṃprāptastaskaro mayā| upāṃte ca pathidvāre kurudhvaṃ ghoradaṇḍanam55| māṃḍavyaśca munistatra pathiśūle ca kīlitaḥ| pāyudeśe ca tairdattaṃ śūlaṃ yāvacca mastakam56| vyathāṃ sa ca na jānāti śūle viddhatanuryamāt| anyairapi kṛto daṇḍaḥ kṛtastaistu manohitaḥ57| etasminnaṃtare rātrāvaṃdhakāre ghanonnate| svapatiṃ pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā prayayau sā pativratā58| māṃḍavyasya tanau saṅgātkuṣṭhino gaṃdha āgataḥ| bhagnaḥ samādhistasyaivaṃ kuṣṭhisaṃsargato dhruvam59| māṃḍavya uvāca- evaṃ yenādhunā kṛcchraṃ kāritaṃ gātravedanam| sa eva bhasmatāṃ yātu prodite ca virocane60| māṃḍavyenaivamuktassa papāta dharaṇītale| tataḥ pativratā cāha bradhno nodayatu dhruvaṃ61| dinatrayaṃ gṛhaṃ nītvā śāpādveśmagatā tataḥ| śayanīye sthitaṃ ramye dhṛtvā'tiṣṭhatpativratā62| śaptvā taṃ ca muniśreṣṭho gato deśamabhīṣṭakam| sūro nodayate loke yāvaccaiva dinatrayam63| nikhilaṃ vyathitaṃ dṛṣṭvā trailokyaṃ sacarācaram| śatakratuṃ puraskṛtya gatā devāḥ pitāmaham64| vṛttaṃ nyavedayansarvaṃ padmayonau divaukasaḥ| kāraṇaṃ ca na jānīmastvaṃ tu yogyaṃ vidhehi naḥ65| brahmovāca- pativratāyā yadvṛttaṃ māṃḍavyasya muneśca yat| yathā nodayate bradhno dhātā deveṣvavedayat66| tato devā vimānaiśca puraskṛtya prajāpatim| gatāstadaṃtikaṃ vipra tūrṇaṃ sarve ca bhūtalam67| teṣāṃ śriyā vimānānāṃ munīnāṃ kiraṇaistathā| śatasūryamivābhāti nānyatra ca gṛhodare68| hā hatāsmi kathaṃ sūro madgṛhe samupasthitaḥ| adṛśyaṃta tayā devā vimānairhaṃsasannibhaiḥ69| etasminnaṃtare brahmā tāmuvāca pativratām| akhilānāṃ ca devānāṃ dvijānāṃ ca gavāṃ tathā70| yathaiva nidhanaṃ teṣāṃ kathaṃ te parirocate| mātaḥ krodhaṃ tyajasvādya sūryasyodayanaṃ prati71| pativratovāca- sarvalokānatikramya patireko gururmama| asya mṛtyurmuneśśāpādudite ca virocane72| tenaiva kāraṇenaiṣa mayā śapto divākaraḥ| na kopānna ca mohācca lobhātkāmānna matsarāt73| brahmovāca- ekasya nidhanenaiva trailokyasya hitaṃ bhavet| tataste cādhikaṃ puṇyaṃ mātarevaṃ bhaviṣyati74| sā covāca vidhiṃ tatra devānāmagrataḥ satī| patiṃ tyaktvā ca me satyaṃ śivaṃ me nānurocate75| brahmovāca- udite ca khage saumye patyau te bhasmatāṃ gate| svasthebhūte ca trailokye kariṣyāmi hitaṃ tava76| bhasmanaḥ puruṣo bhāvyaḥ kāmadevasamaprabhaḥ| guṇaiḥ sarvairyuto bhartā rativattvaṃ ca sarvadā77| yathāpūjyo harirdaivairyathā lakṣmīśca pūjitā| tathaiva daṃpatī svarge tasmānmadvacanaṃ kuru78| pativratovāca- patyurme nidhane brahmanvidhavā lokaniṃditā| kāṃstu lokāngamiṣyāmi bhagnā cārāmalīmasā79| brahmovāca- ataste nāsti doṣo vai na mṛtaste dhavo'dhunā| asmākaṃ vacanenaiva kuṣṭhī manmathatāṃ vrajet80| vadatyevaṃvidhau sā ca vimṛśya kṣaṇameva ca| bāḍhamuktavatī sā ca tatassūryodayo'bhavat81| abhavadbhasmarūpo'sau muniśāpaprapīḍitaḥ| bhasmano madhyato jāto dvijo manmathapīḍitaḥ82| dṛṣṭvā vismayapamāpannāḥ sarve te puravāsinaḥ| muditā devasaṃghāśca janaḥ svasthataro'bhavat83| vimānenārkavarṇena svarlokādāgatena ca| patinā saha sā sādhvī suraiḥ sārddhaṃ gatā divam84| evaṃ pativratā yasmācchubhā caiva tu matsamā| tena vṛttaṃ ca jānāti bhūtaṃ bhavyaṃ pravartanam85| ya idaṃ śrāvayelloke puṇyākhyānamanuttamam| tasya pāpaṃ kṣayaṃ yāti janmajanmakṛtaṃ ca yat86| akṣayaṃ labhate svargaṃ vibudhaiḥ saṃprayujyate| brāhmaṇo labhate vedaṃ janmajanmasu bāḍava87| sakṛcchṛṇoti yaḥ pūto duṣkṛtaughādvimucyate| surālayamavāpnoti svargādbhraṣṭo dhanī bhavet88|
English translation
Narottama said :
1. Of the thirty-three gods and others the lord is the author. He is the one who snatches them away, who protects them, is their father and originator.
2. Whatever fatigue we give to our speech (i.e. however hard we try to describe), we are not fit to describe him. Yet I have a kind of curiosity or thirst and hunger.
3-4a. The dear one should speak when something about what is done is asked. O lord, how does the loyal, chaste wife know the past? (Please) tell me fully as to what her power was.
The lord spoke :
4b-5a. O dear, I have told you (all this) before; yet O brāhmaṇa , you again have curiosity (to hear it). I shall tell you all that you have in your mind (to know).
5b-6a. A devoted, faithful, loyal wife is the (very) life of her husband. She is adorable even for gods and for sages expounding the Vedas .
6b-7a. There will be no great secrecy in honouring that woman who is the wife of a husband and who is regarded as most adorable in the world.
7b-8. O dear, formerly there was a very beautiful city in Madhyadeśa . In it (lived) a brāhmaṇa, chaste lady, named Sevyā. Due to the adverse effect of his former deeds, her husband became a leper (i.e. contracted leprosy).
9. She was always engaged in serving her husband with (pus) trickling from his wounds. She very much satisfied whatever desire of him she could satisfy according to her capacity.
10-11. She would always worship him like a deity, and free from jealousy would love him. Once, he saw an extremely beautiful prostitute, who was going along the road, and through folly became overpowered by the passion of love. Having heaved a very deep sigh, he became dejected.
12-14a. Hearing it, the good lady came out of her house and asked her husband: O lord, whence are you dejected? O lord, whence this (deep) sigh? Tell me what is dear to you—that should be or should not be done. I shall do whatever is dear to you; you alone are my dear lord. Tell me what you desire, O lord, I shall accompli sh it according to my capacity.”
14b-16a. When she had said this, he said to her: “O dear one, why do you talk in vain? Neither you nor I am able (to get what I want). It is not proper to talk fruitlessly. You are not entitled to asking (i.e. please do not ask) since my desire through folly, due to longing after the beautiful woman, is like that of a dwarf, who, remaining on the ground, desires (to pluck) the fruit of a tall tree. I am talking something that is difficult to accomplish for a couple and that is irrelevant.”
The faithful wife said :
16b-19a. I shall be able to accomplish the object (only) after knowing what is going on in your mind. O lord, give me an order as to what is to be done. When I shall be able to accomplish your object difficult to accomplish, then only I will have great good in this and in the next world.
19b. Thus addressed, he was extremely pleased, and said these words.
20-21a. “It is certain that a person asks for a sinful thing because of his practice of doing such things. My mind is burning after having seen that perfectly beautiful prostitute of wholly spotless limbs going on this way.
21 b-23a. If, through your favour, I get that one who is in the prime of youth, then my existence will be fruitful; O good lady, do what is good to me. If that beautiful woman does not come to me, who am a leper, a distressed person, stinking with the odour of pus, having fresh wounds, then it is proper for me to die.”
23b-24a. Having heard the words uttered by him, the good lady said: “O lord, I shall do (everything) according to my capacity; be steady.”
24b-26. Having mentally reflected, she, at the end of night, in the early morning, took cowdung and a broom, and gladly went. Having reached the prostitute’s house, and having cleansed the courtyard she gladly gave (i.e. besmeared with) cowdung to the street and the wall(s). She hurriedly returned home through the fear of being seen by people.
27-29a. In this manner the good lady acted for three days. Then the prostitute also asked her male and female servants: “Who has done (these) good things in the courtyard? Though I did not tell (i.e. order anyone), who has decorated the streets, quadrangles and walls with lovely (drawings etc.)?”
29b-30a. They, having consulted one another, replied to the prostitute: “O good lady, we have not done this work; we have not done the cleansing.”
30b-3la. She was amazed and (kept on) thinking. When the night was over, she saw her (i.e. the chaste wife) having again come over there.
31 b-34a. Having seen that great good lady—a loyal wife—she clasped her feet, and said: “(Please) forgive me. O you loyal wife, you are as it were darting for the destruction of these—viz. (my) life, body, wealth, glory, (my) aims and (my) fame. O good lady, whatever you ask for—viz. gold, gems, jewels or garments or any other desired object—I shall certainly always give it to you.”
34b-35. Then the good lady said to her: “I have nothing to do with wealth. I have some other piece of work (to be done) by you. I shall tell it if you will do it. Then I will have delight in my heart, (thinking) 'Now you have done everything.’”
The prostitute said :
36. O you loyal wife, I shall truly (i.e. surely) do (what you tell me); (please) speak out quickly. O mother, protect me, quickly tell me my mission.
37. Due to bashfulness she spoke out humble words that were dear to her (i.e. the chaste lady); the prostitute, having thought for a while, said with patience:
38. “I shall be very unhappy in the company of the leper, stinking with pus. I shall do it (i.e. give him company) for a day, if he comes to my house.”
The faithful wife said :
39. O beautiful lady, tonight I shall come to your house, and will take (back) to my house, my husband, who will have enjoyed what he wants to enjoy.
The prostitute said ;
40-41. O loyal wife, O illustrious lady, quickly go (back) to your house; let your husband come to my house at midnight. I have many lovers—kings and (others) like them. One of them always stays in my house.
42. Today I shall keep the house free (from) them for your fear (i.e. lest you may fear). Let your husband come, and having met me, let him go (back).
43-44. Having heard this, that good lady went home, and informed her husband: “O lord your mission (i.e. the mission you entrusted to me) is successful. She tells you to go to her house tonight. She has many masters; (so) there is no time (i.e. opportunity) for you (i.e. she cannot remain in your company for a long time).”
The brāhmaṇa said :
45. How shall I go to her house? I cannot walk. Knowing this how can I have patience? How can the work to be done be accomplished?
The faithful wife said :
46. Putting you on my back I shall take you to her house; and after (your) work is done, I shall bring you back along the same path.
The brāhmaṇa said :
47. O auspicious one, by your doing this, all I want will be done, since what you have done is unbearable for even ladies.
48-49. In the beautiful city, there was always ample wealth in the house of a rich man. The citizens and the king heard that at that time (i.e. during that night) it was stolen. Hearing about it the king called all the officers keeping watch at night, and angrily said to them: “Ifyou desire to live, then today hand over the thief to me.”
50. Receiving the king’s order, they, agitated with the desire to capture the thief, forcibly arrested the thief by the king’ s order.
51-52. Māṇḍavya , the excellent sage, having great lustre and resembling fire, best among the contemplating sages, remained in abstract meditation at the root of a tree in a dense forest in the outskirts of the city. With wind having entered the tubular organ [1] of his body, he did not cognise anything.
53. Seeing that great sage, resembling Brahman , and remaining (in abstract meditation), the wicked ones (said:) “This is a thief; the rogue, of a wonderful form, lives in the forest.”
54. Saying so the sinful ones bound the best sage. He did not say (anything to) nor did he see those very terrible men.
55. Then the king said this: “I have (now) secured the thief. On the path at the gate in the vicinity (of the city) inflict a severe punishment on him.”
56. The sage Māṇḍavya was fixed to the stake there on the road. They inserted the stake into the anus upto (i.e. the stake went through his body) the head.
57. Due to his having restrained his senses, he, whose body was pierced through at the stake, was not conscious of the pain. Others also punished him as they liked.
58. In the meanwhile, the loyal wife took her husband on her back and went (to the prostitute’s house) in the pitchy darkness.
59. Due to the contact of the leper, the stinking odour came (to the sage). Due to the contact of the leper, the abstract meditation of the sage was verily disturbed.
Māṇḍavya spoke :
60. May he, who caused me affliction, causing pain to my body, be consumed to ashes before the sun rises.
61. He, who was thus addressed by Māṇḍavya, fell on the ground. Then the loyal wife said: “Certainly the sun [2] shall not rise.”
62. Then taking him to the house, for three days she remained in the house, and supported her husband lying on a beautiful bed.
63-64. Having cursed him (i.e. the chaste lady’s husband), the sage went to the desired country. When, for three days the sun did not rise, gods, seeing all the three worlds including the mobile and the immobile distressed, led by Indra , went to the grandsire.
65. The gods reported the matter to the Lotus-born (god Brahmā ). “We do not know the cause (of this). You (please) do whatever is proper for us.”
Brahmā said :
66. Due to what has happened to the chaste lady and to sage Māṇḍavya, the sun is not rising.
67. O Brāhmaṇa, then the gods led by Brahmā, quickly went to the earth, to the leper, in the aeroplanes.
68. Due to the brightness of the aeroplanes, and the rays of (i.e. shooting from the bodies of) the sages, in the interior of the houses and not elsewhere it appeared as it were a hundred suns (had arisen).
69. “Oh I am doomed! How is it that the sun has come to (i.e. his rays have reached) my house?” She saw the gods with the aeroplanes resembling swans.
70-71. In the meanwhile, Brahmā said to that loyal wife: “How do you like it since all gods, brāhmaṇas and cows (are about to) die? O mother, give up your anger towards sun-rise.”
The faithful wife said :
72-73. Surpassing all people my husband alone is my lord; but due to the curse of the sage he will die when the sun rises; for this reason only I cursed the sun. (I have not done so) through anger, delusion, greed, or desire of carnal gratification or hatred.
Brahmā said :
74. There will be good to the three worlds by the death of one. Thereby (i.e. by saving the worlds), O mother, you will earn more merit.
75. The chaste lady there said to Brahmā in front of the gods: “I do not really like any good by abandoning my husband.”
Brahmā said:
76-78. O good lady, when the sun rises, and your husband is consumed to ashes and when the three worlds are composed, I shall do good to you. From the ashes a man, resembling the god of love in lustre, will be born. He, your husband, will be endowed with all qualities and you will always be like Rati . Your couple will be honoured in heaven, as Hari is worshipped by gods and as Lakṣmī is honoured (by them). Therefore (please) do as I tell you.
The faithful wife said :
79. O Brahman, which worlds shall I, a widow on the death of my husband condemned by people, and with my customary practices foiled and having become unrighteous, go to?
Brahmā said :
80. So you are not at fault. Your husband is not dead yet. Due to our words the leper will become (handsome like) the god of love.
81. When the creator was speaking like this, she having reflected for a moment, said: “All right.” Then the sun rose.
82-83. Afflicted by the sage’s curse he was turned into ashes. From the ashes the brāhmaṇa, oppressed by (passion of) love, came out. Having seen him, all the citizens were amazed, the hosts of gods were delighted, and the people became more composed.
84. That good lady went to heaven along with her husband in an aeroplane that was like the sun in colour and that had come from heaven.
85. Thus, since the chaste lady is auspicious and like me, therefore she knows the account of the past, future and present.
86. The sin of him, committed in existence after existence, who recites to others this excellent, meritorious account, perishes.
87. He obtains inexhaustible heaven (i.e. lives eternally in heaven), and is united with gods. O good brāhmaṇa, a brāhmaṇa gets (mastery over) the Veda in every existence.
88. He who listens to it (just) once, becomes purified, and is freed from the stream of sins. He obtains (i.e. goes to) heaven, and fallen from heaven, becomes a rich man.
[1]: [1] : Nāḍī—tubular organ of the body.
[2]: [2] : Bradhna=the sun. The words Sūra (in v. 69) and Khaga (in v. 76) have the same meaning.
Complete chapter-aligned witnesses. Sanskrit Wikisource page 36073, revision 334563 (2022-04-06T03:11:17Z). English is N. A. Deshpande’s complete translation, controlled against its chapter page at https://www.wisdomlib.org/hinduism/book/the-padma-purana/d/doc364174.html and the ten-volume archival witness. The witnesses are aligned at chapter level; no unsupported verse-by-verse equivalence is asserted.