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.
क्षीणायुरेष ते भर्ता तं नयामि पतिव्रते 4.102.
Your husband’s life is spent; O faithful wife, I will take him now.
एवमुक्त्वा सत्यवतः शरीरात्पाशसंचयैः अथ प्रयातुमारेभे पंथानं पितृसेवितम्
Having spoken thus, he gathered the nooses and began to depart from Satyavat’s body, setting out on the path trodden by the ancestors.
सावित्र्यपि वरारोहा पृष्ठतोऽ नुजगाम ह
Sāvitrī, of noble form, followed behind.
निवर्त गच्छ सावित्रि स्वगृहे त्वमिहागता
Turn back, Sāvitrī; return to your own house, for you have come this far.
भर्तारमनुगच्छंति यास्तासां न श्रमादयः
Those women who follow their husbands do not experience fatigue or suffering.
सतां संतो गतिर्नान्या स्त्रीणां भर्ता सदा गतिः
For the virtuous, there is no other course; for women, the husband is always the path.
सर्वेषामेव जंतूनां स्थानमस्ति महीतलम्
For all living beings, the earth is the destined place.
एवमन्यैश्च विविधैर्वाक्यैर्द्धर्मार्थसंहितैः
Thus, with various other words imbued with righteousness and purpose—
तुष्टोऽस्मि तव भद्रं ते वरं वरय भामिनि
I am pleased with you; may good fortune be yours. Choose a boon, O beautiful one.
चक्षुःप्राप्तिस्तथा राज्यं श्वसु रस्य महात्मनः
The restoration of sight, the kingdom, and the greatness of your father-in-law—