यास्यामो यदि विप्रेश कदाऽत्रागमनं वद
'O lord of Brahmins, if we must go, tell us when we may return here.'
अहल्यया पुनः प्राप्तः स्वामीन्द्रस्य प्रधर्षणात्
'Ahalya too was restored after being violated by Indra.'
विचारं कुरु धर्मिष्ठ वेदवेदाङ्गपारग
'Consider this, O righteous one, master of the Vedas and their branches.'
अन्येषां च भयात्कान्ता व्रजन्ति शरणं पतिम्
'Out of fear, other wives also seek refuge in their husbands.'
अभयं देहि धर्मिष्ठ भययुक्ताभ्य एव च
Grant fearlessness, O righteous one, even to those who are filled with fear.
दुर्बलः सबलो वापि स्ववस्तूनामपीश्वरः
Whether weak or strong, a person is the master even of his own possessions.
वेदवेदाङ्गपारज्ञो ज्ञानिनां योगिनां वरः
He was accomplished in the Vedas and their branches, foremost among the wise and yogis.
सर्वे बभूवुः शोकार्ता विरहोद्विग्नमानसाः ।। 4.18.
All became afflicted with sorrow, their minds disturbed by separation.
कृत्वा विलापं सुचिरं सर्ववेदविदां वरः
Having lamented for a long time, the best among those who know all the Vedas—
अङ्गिरा उवाच स्वकर्मभोगिनां भोगमाकर्माच्च श्रुतौ श्रुतम्
Aṅgirā said: The enjoyment of those who partake of their own deeds, and also of those who do not act, is spoken of in the scriptures.
गतो भोगश्च युष्माकमस्माभिः सह निश्चितम्
The enjoyment allotted to you has certainly come to an end along with us.
शुभाशुभं च यत्कर्म भारते कृतिभिः सह
Whatever good or evil deed is done in Bhārata, together with the doers—
परभुक्तां च कान्तां च यो भुङ्क्ते स नराधमः
He who enjoys another's wife, or one already enjoyed by another, is the lowest of men.
न सा दैवे न सा पैत्र्ये पाकार्हा पापसंयुता
She who is joined with sin is not fit for offering to gods or ancestors.
देवताः पितरस्तस्य हव्यदाने च तर्पणे
The gods and ancestors do not accept his offerings or libations.
तस्माद्यत्नेन भार्याया रक्षणं कुरुते सुधीः
Therefore, a wise man should diligently protect his wife.
कलत्रं पाकपात्रं च सदा रक्षितुमर्हति 4.18.
One should always protect his wife and the vessel for cooking food.
स्वकान्तं च परित्यज्य परं गच्छति याऽधमा
She who abandons her own husband and goes to another is degraded.
तामेव यमदूताश्च संस्थाप्य नरकान्तरे
The messengers of Yama place her in another hell.
सर्पप्रमाणाः कीटाश्च तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्राः सुदारुणाः
There, worms the size of serpents, with sharp fangs and very fierce—
विकृताकारशब्दं च करोति शाश्वतं भिया
Produce hideous sounds, causing constant terror.
मुहूर्तार्धं सुखं भुक्त्वा लोकेऽत्र यशसा हता
Having enjoyed happiness for half a moment in this world, she is then deprived of fame.
परस्पृष्टा च वै नारी या स्पृहां कुरुते परम्
And a woman who, having been touched by another, desires someone else—
तस्मान्नारी परैर्यत्नाददृष्टा कृतिभिः कृता
Therefore, a woman is carefully kept from being seen by others by the wise.
स्वच्छन्दगामिनी या च स्वतन्त्रा सूकरीसमा
A woman who acts as she pleases, independent, is like a sow.
स्वामिसाध्या च या नारी कुलधर्मभिया स्थिता
But a woman who is guided by her husband and remains out of respect for family duty—
यात यूयं च पृथिवीं मानुषीं योनिमीप्सिताम् 4.18.
Now, all of you go to the earth and take on the human birth you desire.
हरिणा निर्मिताश्छाया युष्माकं योगमायया
By Hari's power and through his yoga-maya, your forms have been created as shadows.
पुनरंशेन नः पत्न्यो भविष्यथ न संशयः
Again, by a portion of myself, you will become our wives—of this there is no doubt.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा स मुनिर्विरराम शुचाऽन्वितः
Having spoken thus, the sage fell silent, filled with sorrow.