अतोर्थं प्रेषयामीति कुरु पुत्रि स्वयंवरम्
For this purpose, I will send you; daughter, hold a svayaṃvara.
एवमस्त्विति सावित्री प्रोक्ता तस्माद्विनिर्ययौ 4.102.
‘So be it,’ said Sāvitrī, and then departed from there.
मान्यानामत्र वृद्धानां कृत्वा पादाभिषेचनम्
Having performed the washing of the feet of the honored elders there,
आजगाम पुनर्वेश्म सावित्री सह मंत्रिभिः
Sāvitrī returned again to the house, accompanied by ministers.
आसीनमासने विप्रं प्रणम्य स्मितभाषिणी
She, smiling and speaking gently, bowed to the sage seated on the seat.
द्युमत्सेन इति ख्यातो देवदत्तो बभूव सः
He became known as Dyumatsena, and was called Devadatta.
अहो बत महत्कष्टं सावित्र्या नृपतेः कृतम्
Ah, indeed, great hardship was undertaken by Sāvitrī for the king.
सत्यं वदत्यस्य पिता सत्यं माता प्रभाषते
Her father speaks the truth, her mother speaks the truth.
एको दोषोऽस्ति नान्योऽस्य सोऽद्यप्रभृति सत्यवाक्
There is only one fault, no other; from today, he will speak truthfully.
नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तनयां प्राह पार्थिवः संवत्सरेण सोल्पायुर्देहत्यागं करिष्यति
Hearing Nārada's words, the king said to his daughter: ‘Within a year, with little lifespan, he will abandon his body.’
सकृत्प्रदीयते कन्या त्रीण्येतानि सकृत्सकृत्
A maiden is given only once; these three things are only once, only once.
दीर्घायुरथ वाल्पायुः सगुणो निर्गुणोऽपि वा 4.102.
Whether long-lived or short-lived, with qualities or even without qualities.
मनसा निश्चयं कृत्वा ततो वाचाऽभिधीयते
Having resolved in the mind, then it is spoken aloud.
अविघ्नमग्रे सावित्र्याः प्रदाने दुहितुस्तव
May there be no obstacle at the outset in the giving of Sāvitrī, your daughter.
एवमुक्त्वा समुत्पत्य नारदस्त्रिदिवं गतः शुभे मुहूर्ते पार्श्वस्थैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः
Having spoken thus, Nārada rose up and went to heaven, at an auspicious moment, accompanied by learned Brahmins well-versed in the Vedas.
सावित्र्यपि वरं लब्ध्वा भर्तारं मनसेप्सितम्
Sāvitrī too obtained as her husband the one whom she had desired in her heart.
एवं तत्राश्रमे तेषां वसतां प्रीतिपूर्वकम्
Thus, in that hermitage, they all dwelt together with affection.
सावित्र्यास्तप्यमानायास्तिष्ठंत्याश्च दिवानिशम्
Sāvitrī, enduring hardships, remained steadfast day and night.
ततः काले बहुतिथे व्यतिक्रांते कदाचन प्रोष्ठपदे सिते पक्षे द्वादश्यां रजनीमुखे
Then, after much time had passed, once, in the bright fortnight of the month of Proṣṭhapada, at the beginning of the night on the twelfth day—
गणयन्ती च सावित्री नारदोक्तं वचो हृदि
Sāvitrī, recalling in her heart the words spoken by Nārada, kept counting the days.
ततस्त्रिरात्रं निर्वर्त्य स्नात्वा संतर्प्य देवताः श्वश्रूश्वशुरयोः पादौ ववंदे चारुहासिनी
Then, having completed a three-night vow, bathing and offering oblations to the deities, the beautiful-smiling one bowed to the feet of her mother-in-law and father-in-law.
अथ प्रतस्थे परशुं गृहीत्वा सत्यवान्वनम् 4.102.
Then Satyavān set out for the forest, taking up his axe.
ततोऽवदत्स भर्ता तां पृच्छस्व श्वशुरौ निजौ
Then her husband said to her, 'Ask your father-in-law and mother-in-law.'
श्वशुराववदतां च न गंतव्यं त्वयानघे
The father-in-law and mother-in-law said, 'You must not go, O faultless one.'
भूयो भावेन सा प्रोचे द्रष्टव्यं काननं मया
But again, with resolve, she replied, 'I must see the forest.'
ततो गृहीत्वा तरसा फलपुष्पसमित्कुशान्
Then, swiftly gathering fruits, flowers, sacred sticks, and kuśa grass—
अथ पाटयतः काष्ठं जाता शिरसि वेदना
Then, as he was splitting wood, pain arose in his head.
विश्रमस्व महाबाहो सावित्री प्राह दुःखिता
Rest, O mighty-armed one,' Sāvitrī said, distressed.
यावदुत्संगके कृत्वा शिर आस्ते महीतले किरीटिनं पीतवस्त्रं साक्षात्सूर्यमिवोदितम्
As he lay with his head in her lap on the ground, she saw a crowned figure, clad in yellow garments, appearing like the risen Sun.
तमुवाचाथ सावित्री प्रणम्य मधुपिंगलम्
Then Sāvitrī, bowing, spoke to that tawny-eyed one.