तस्मै तद्भरतो राज्यमागतायातिसत्कृतम्। न्यासं निर्यातयामास युक्तः परमया मुदा
To him, Bharata, upon his return, the kingdom was entrusted with utmost honor, and the deposit was handed over with great joy.
ततस्तं वैष्णवे शूरं नक्षत्रेऽभिजितेऽहनि। वसिष्ठो वामदेवश्च सहितावभ्यषिञ्चताम्
Then, on the auspicious day under the Abhijit star, Vasiṣṭha and Vāmadeva together anointed that heroic one with the Vaiṣṇava rite.
सोभिषिक्तः कपिश्रेष्ठं सुग्रीवं ससुहृज्जनम्। विभीषणं च पौलस्त्यमन्वजानाद्गृहान्प्रति
Having been consecrated, he sent the foremost monkey, Sugrīva, along with his friends, and Vibhīṣaṇa, the descendant of Pulastya, back to their homes.
अभ्यर्च्य विविधै रत्नैः प्रीतियुक्तौ मुदा युतौ। समाधायेतिकर्तव्यं दुःखेन विससर्ज ह
Having worshipped them with various gems, filled with affection and joy, he fulfilled what was to be done and, though with sorrow, let them depart.
पुष्पकं च विमानं तत्पूजयित्वा स राघवः। प्रादाद्वैश्रवणायैव प्रीत्या स रघुनन्दनः
And Rāghava, after honoring the aerial chariot Puṣpaka, gladly returned it to Vaiśravaṇa.
ततो देवर्षिसहितः सरितं गोमतीमनु। शताश्वमेधानाजह्रे जारूथ्यान्स निरर्गलान्
Then, accompanied by the divine sages, he performed hundreds of flawless horse sacrifices along the river Gomati.
एवमेतन्महाबाहो रामेणामिततेजसा। प्राप्तं व्यसनमत्युग्रं वनवासकृतं पुरा
Thus, O mighty-armed one, by Rāma of immeasurable splendor, a most severe calamity was once endured due to exile in the forest.
मा शुचः परुषव्याघ्र क्षत्रियोसि परंतप। बाहुवीर्याश्रयेमार्गे वर्तसे दीप्तनिर्णये
Do not grieve, O tiger among men; you are a Kṣatriya, scorcher of foes, and you walk the path relying on the strength of your arms, resolved with blazing determination.
न हि ते वृजिनं किंचिद्दृश्यते परमण्वपि। अस्मिन्मार्गे निपीदेयुः सेन्द्रा अपि सुरासुराः
Indeed, not even the slightest fault is seen in you; even the gods and demons with Indra could not oppress you on this path.
संहत्य निहतोवृत्रो मरुद्भिर्वज्रपाणिना। नमुचिश्चैवदुर्धर्षो दीर्गजिह्वा चराक्षसी
Vṛtra was slain by the Maruts and the wielder of the thunderbolt, and Namuci, difficult to conquer, with his long tongue, was also destroyed.
सहायवति सर्वार्थाः सतिष्ठन्तीह सर्वशः। किंनु तस्याजितं सङ्ख्ये यस् भ्राता धनंजयः
When one has companions, all purposes are accomplished in every way; what could remain unconquered in battle for him whose brother is Dhanaṃjaya?
अयं च बलिनांश्रेष्ठो भीमो भीमपराक्रमाः। युवानौ च महेष्वासौ वीरौ माद्रवतीसुतौ
Here too is Bhīma, foremost among the strong, of terrible prowess, and the two young, mighty archers, the heroic sons of Mādravatī.
एभिः सहायैः कस्मात्त्वं विषीदसि परंतप। य इमे वज्रिणः सेनां जयेयुः समरुद्गणाम्
With these allies, why do you despair, O scorcher of foes? These could defeat the army of the thunderbolt-wielder and the hosts of Maruts.
त्वमप्येभिर्महेष्वासैः सहायैर्देवरूपिभिः। विजेष्यसि रणे सर्वानमित्रान्भरतर्षभ
You too, with these mighty archers, companions resembling the gods, will conquer all enemies in battle, O bull among the Bharatas.
इतश्च त्वमिमां पश्यसैन्धवेन दुरात्मना। बलिना वीर्यमत्तेन हृतामेभिर्महात्मभिः
And here you see this, that the Sindhu king, wicked in mind and intoxicated with strength, was subdued by these great souls.
आनीतां द्रौपदीं कृष्णां कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम्। जयद्रथं च राजानं विजितं वशमागतम्
Draupadī, called Kṛṣṇā, was brought back after a most difficult deed, and King Jayadratha was conquered and brought under control.
असहायेन रामेण वैदेही पुनराहृता। हत्वासङ्ख्ये दशग्रीवं राक्षसं भीमविक्रमम्
Even without allies, Rāma recovered Vaidehī, having slain the ten-headed Rākṣasa, fierce in valor, in battle.
यस् शाखामृगामित्राण्यृक्षाः कालमुखास्तथा। जात्यन्तरगता राजन्नेतद्बुद्ध्याऽनुचिन्तय
Those who were enemies among the monkey chiefs, bears, and Kālāmukhas, and those of other races, O king, consider this with your understanding.
तस्मात्सर्वं कुरुश्रेष्ठ मा शुचो भरतर्षभ। त्वद्विधा हि महात्मानो न शोचन्ति परंतप
Therefore, best of the Kurus, do not grieve, bull among the Bharatas; for men like you, great-souled and scorcher of foes, do not lament.
एवमाश्वासितो राजामार्कण्डेयेन धीमता। त्यक्त्वा दुःखमदीनात्मा पुनरप्येनमब्रवीत्
Thus comforted by the wise Markandeya, the king, setting aside his sorrow and regaining composure, again spoke to him.
नात्मानमनुशोचामि नेमान्भ्रातॄन्महामुने। हरणं चापि राज्यस् यथेमां द्रुपदात्मजाम्
I do not grieve for myself, nor for these brothers, O great sage, nor even for the loss of the kingdom or for this daughter of Drupada.
द्यूते दुरात्मभिः क्लिष्टाः कृष्णया तारिता वयम्। जयद्रथेन चपुनर्वनाच्चापि हृता बलात्
We were afflicted by wicked men in the dice game, and rescued by Krishna; and again, we were seized by Jayadratha and by the Rakshasa, by force.
अस्ति सीमन्तिनी काचिद्दृष्टपूर्वाऽपिवा श्रुता। पतिव्रता महाभागा यथेयं द्रुपदात्मजा
Is there any noble lady, ever seen or even heard of, as devoted to her husband and greatly fortunate as this daughter of Drupada?
शृणु राजन्कुलस्त्रीणां महाभाग्यं युधिष्ठिर। सर्वमेतद्यथाप्राप्तं सावित्र्या राजकन्यया
Hear, O king, of the great fortune of noble women, Yudhishthira; all this happened before, as with Savitri, the royal maiden.
आसीन्मद्रेषु धर्मात्मा राजा परमधार्मिकः। ब्रह्मण्यश्चमहात्मा च सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रियः
There was in Madra a righteous king, supremely virtuous, devoted to Brahmins, great-souled, truthful, and self-controlled.
यज्वा दानपतिर्दक्षः पौरजानपदप्रियः। पार्थिवोऽश्वपतिर्नाम सर्वभूतहिते रतः
He was a performer of sacrifices, generous, skilled, beloved by citizens and countryfolk, a ruler named Ashvapati, devoted to the welfare of all beings.
क्षमावाननपत्यश्च सत्यवाग्विजितेन्द्रियः। अतिक्रान्तेन वयसा संतापमुपजग्मिवान्
Patient, childless, truthful, and self-restrained, he, advanced in years, was overtaken by sorrow.
अपत्योत्पादनार्थं च तीव्रं नियममास्थितः। काले परिमिताहारो ब्रहमचारी जितेन्द्रियः
For the sake of begetting offspring, he undertook severe vows, eating little at the proper time, practicing celibacy and self-control.
हुत्वा शतसहस्रं स सावित्र्या राजसत्तम। षष्ठेषष्ठे तदाकाले बभूव मितमोजनः
That best of kings, together with Savitri, performed a hundred thousand offerings; every sixth month, he would eat sparingly.
एतेन नियमेनासीद्वर्षाण्यष्टादशैव तु। पूर्णे त्वष्टादशे वर्षे सावित्री तुष्टिमभ्यगात्
By this observance, for eighteen years it was so; when the eighteenth year was complete, Savitri attained satisfaction.