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—
जीवितं च तथा भर्तुधर्मसिद्धिश्च शाश्वती 4.102.
And likewise, the life of your husband and the eternal fulfillment of his righteous duty.
अथ भर्तारमासाद्य सावित्री हृष्टमानसा
Then, having regained her husband, Sāvitrī was filled with joy in her heart.
भाद्रस्य पौर्णमास्यां तु यथा चीर्णं व्रतं त्विदम्
On the full moon of Bhādra, as this vow was performed—
तस्मिन्भाद्रपदे मासि सिद्धान्नं तस्य कीदृशम्
In that month of Bhādrapada, what is the prescribed food for the accomplished?
का देवता व्रते तस्मिन्ब्रूहि कामं प्रति प्रभो
Which deity is honored in this vow? Tell me, O lord, regarding my desire.
श्रूयतां पांडवश्रेष्ठ सावित्रीव्रतमादरात्
Hear attentively, O best of the Pāṇḍavas, about the Sāvitrī vow.
त्रयोदश्यां भाद्रपदे दंतधावनपूर्वकम्
On the thirteenth day of Bhādrapada, after brushing the teeth—
अशक्त्या तु त्रयोदश्यां नक्तं कुर्याज्जितेन्द्रियः
If unable, then on the thirteenth day, one who has mastered the senses should observe a fast at night.
नित्यं स्नात्वा महानद्यां तडागे चाथ निर्झरे
One should bathe daily in a great river, or in a pond, or at a waterfall.
गृहीत्वा तिलकान्पात्रे प्रस्थमात्रं युधिष्ठिर
Taking sesame seeds in a vessel, in the measure of a prastha, O Yudhishthira,