चिरस् दृष्ट्वा राजेन्द्र तेऽन्योन्यस्य प्रियंवदे। कथयामासतुश्चित्राः कथाः कुरुयदूचिताः
After a long time, O king, seeing each other, those dear friends began to speak, telling wondrous tales of the Kurus and Yadus.
अथाब्रवीत्सत्यभामा कृष्णस् महिषी प्रिया। सात्राजिती याज्ञसेनीं रहसीदं सुमध्यमा
Then Satyabhama, the beloved wife of Krishna, daughter of Satrajit, spoke privately to Yajnaseni, the slender-waisted one.
केन द्रौपदि वृत्तेन पाण्डवानधितिष्ठसि। लोकपालोपमान्वीरान्नूनं परमसंमतान्
By what conduct, O Draupadi, do you manage the Pandavas—heroes esteemed like the guardians of the world?
कथं च वशगस्तुभ्यं न कुप्यन्ति च ते शुभे। तव वश्या हि सतत पाण्डवाः प्रियदर्शने
And how is it, O lovely one, that they are always under your control and never angry with you? The Pandavas are ever obedient to you, O beautiful one.
न चान्योन्यमसूयन्ते कथं वा ते सुमध्यमे'। मुखप्रेक्षाश्च ते सर्वे तत्त्वमेतद्ब्रवीहि मे
Nor do they envy one another—how is this so, O slender-waisted one? They all look to your face; tell me the truth of this.
व्रतचर्या तपो वाऽपि स्नानमन्त्रौषधानि वा। विद्यावीर्यं मूलवीर्यंजपहोमागदास्तथा
Is it through observance of vows, asceticism, bathing, mantras, herbs, knowledge, strength of roots, recitation, offerings, or medicines?
ममाद्याचक्ष्वपाञ्चालि यशस्यं भगवेतनम्। येन कृष्णे भवेन्नित्यं मम कृष्णो वशानुगः
Tell me today, O Panchali, the glorious means by which Krishna is always obedient to me.
एवमुक्त्वासत्यभामा विरराम यशस्विनी। पतिव्रता महाभागा द्रौपदी प्रत्युवाच ताम्
Having spoken thus, Satyabhama, famed and fortunate, fell silent; Draupadi, devoted to her husband and greatly blessed, replied to her.
असत्स्त्रीणां समाचरं सत्ये मामनुपृच्छसि। असदाचरिते मार्गे कथं स्यादनुकीर्तनम्
You ask me about truth, yet you act according to the ways of unworthy women; how can there be praise for conduct that is not righteous?
अनुप्रश्नः संशयो वा नैष त्वय्युपपद्यते। कथं ह्युपेता बुद्ध्या त्वंकृष्णस् महिषी प्रिया
Such questioning or doubt does not arise in you; for how could you, O Krishna’s beloved queen, endowed with wisdom, have such thoughts?
यदैव भर्ता जानीयानमन्त्रमूलपरां स्त्रियम्। उद्विजेत तदैवास्याः सर्पाद्वेश्मगतादिव
Whenever a husband knows that his wife is devoted to secret spells, he should at once shun her, as one would avoid a snake that has entered the house.
उद्विग्नस्य कुतः शान्तिरशान्तस्य कुतः सुखम्। न जातु वशगो भर्ता स्त्रियाः स्यान्मन्त्रकारणात्
How can there be peace for one who is anxious, or happiness for one who is restless? A husband should never be under the control of his wife because of spells.
किमत्रप्रहिताश्चापि गदाः परमदारुणाः। मूलप्रवादैर्हि विषं प्रयच्छन्ति जिघांसवः बब
What are these dreadful weapons sent here? For those who wish to kill, indeed, administer poison through root-based incantations.
जिह्वया यानि पुरुषस्त्वचा वाप्युपसेवते। तत्र चूर्णानि दत्तानि हन्युः क्षिप्रमसंशयम्
Whatever a man touches with his tongue or skin, if powders are placed there, they will quickly destroy him, without doubt.
जलोदरसमायुक्ताः श्वित्रिणः पलितास्तथा। अपुमांसः कृताः स्त्रीभिर्जडान्धवधिरास्तथा
Women have caused men to suffer from dropsy, leprosy, greying hair, impotence, and have made them dull, blind, or deaf.
पापानुगास्तु पापास्ताः पतीनुपसृजन्त्युत। न जातु विप्रियं भर्तुः स्त्रिया कार्यं कथंचन
Those sinful women, following evil ways, approach their husbands with wicked intent; a wife should never, under any circumstances, do anything displeasing to her husband.
वर्ताम्यहं तु यां वृत्तिं पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु। तां सर्वां शृणु मे सत्यां सत्यभामे यशस्विनि
Now hear from me, O illustrious Satyabhama, the true way in which I conduct myself among the noble sons of Pandu.
अहंकारं विहायाहं कामक्रोधौ च सर्वदा। सदारान्पाण्डवान्नित्यं प्रयतोपचराम्यहम्
Abandoning pride, and always restraining desire and anger, I serve the Pandavas and their wives with constant care.
प्रणयं प्रतिसंहृत्य निधायात्मानमात्मनि। शुश्रूषुर्निरभीमाना पतीनां चित्तरक्षिणी
Withdrawing affection, placing myself within myself, I serve my husbands without arrogance, guarding their hearts.
दुर्व्याहृताच्छङ्कमाना दुस्थिताद्दुरवेक्षितात्। दुरासिताद्दुर्व्रजितादिङ्गिताध्यासितादपि
I am wary of harsh words, unstable conduct, improper glances, improper seating, improper walking, and even improper gestures.
सूर्यवैश्वानरसमान्सोमकल्पान्महारथान्। सेवे चक्षुर्हणः पार्थानुग्रवीर्यप्रतापिनः
I serve the Parthas, mighty warriors like the Sun and Fire, resembling Soma, whose energy and power are fierce, even though their gaze can be harsh.
देवो मनुष्यो गन्धर्वो युवा चापि स्वलंकृतः। द्रव्यवानभिरूपो वा न मेऽन्यः पुरुषो मतः
No god, human, Gandharva, or even a young, well-adorned, wealthy, or handsome man is regarded by me as another (besides my husbands).
न भुक्तवति न स्नाते नासंविष्टे च भर्तरि। न संविशामि नाश्नामि न स्नाये कर्म कुर्वती
If my husband has not eaten, bathed, or sat down, I do not lie down, eat, or bathe, even while engaged in my tasks.
क्षेत्राद्वनाद्वा ग्रामाद्वा भर्तारं गुहमागतम्। अभ्युत्थायाभिनन्दामि आसनेनोदकेन च
Whether my husband returns from the field, the forest, or the village, I rise to greet him, welcoming him with a seat and water.
प्रसन्नभाण्डा मृष्टान्ना काले भोजनदायिनी। संयता गुप्तधान्या च सुसंमृष्टनिवेशना
I keep the vessels clean, provide well-cooked food at the proper time, am restrained, guard the stores of grain, and keep the house well swept.
अतिरस्कृतसंभाषा दुःस्त्रियो नानुसेवती। अनुकूलवती नित्यं भवाम्यनलसा सदा
I do not associate with women who speak disrespectfully or behave badly; I am always diligent and ever act in a manner pleasing to them.
अनर्म चापि हसितं द्वारि स्थानमभीक्ष्णशः। अवस्करे चिरस्थानं निष्कुटेषु च वर्जये
One should avoid frivolous laughter, lingering often at the doorway, remaining long in the privy, and staying in secluded corners.
अत्यालापमसन्तोषं परव्यापारसंकथाः'। अतिहासातिरोषौ च क्रोधस्थानं च वर्जये
One should avoid excessive talk, discontent, gossip about others' affairs, excessive laughter and anger, and places that provoke wrath.
निरताऽहं सदा सत्ये पापानां च विवर्जने। सर्वथा भर्तुरहितं न ममेष्टं कथंचन
I am always devoted to truth and to avoiding sinful acts; in every way, I never desire to be apart from my husband.
यदा प्रवसते भर्ता कुटुम्बार्थेन केनचित्। सुमनोवर्णकापेता भवामि व्रतचारिणी
Whenever my husband departs for some family purpose, I remain cheerful, pure in conduct, and steadfast in my vows.