नोलूखले न मुसले न वर्द्धन्यां दृषद्यपि
She does not use a mortar, pestle, grinding stone, or millstone.
विना व्यवायसमयं प्रागल्भ्यं न क्वचिच्चरेत्
Except at the appointed time for union, she should never behave boldly.
इदमेव व्रतं स्त्रीणामयमेवपरो वृषः 4.1.4.
This alone is the vow for women; this alone is the supreme righteousness.
क्लीबं वा दुरवस्थंवा व्याधितं वृद्धमेव वा
Whether he is impotent, in distress, diseased, or even old—
हृष्टाहृष्टेविषण्णास्या विषण्णास्ये प्रिये सदा
When he is joyful or not, when his face is sad or happy, she remains devoted.
सर्पिर्लवणतैलादि क्षयेपि च पतिव्रता
Even if ghee, salt, oil, and the like are exhausted, she remains faithful to her husband.
तीर्थस्नानार्थिनी नारी पतिपादोदकं पिबेत्
A woman desiring to bathe at a sacred place should drink the water that has washed her husband's feet.
व्रतोपवासनियमं पतिमुल्लंघ्य या चरेत्
If a woman observes a vow, fast, or discipline, disregarding her husband—
उक्ता प्रत्युत्तरं दद्याद्या नारी क्रोधतत्परा
If a woman, intent on anger, gives a reply when spoken to—
स्त्रीणां हि परमश्चैको नियमः समुदाहृतः
Indeed, one supreme rule has been declared for women.
उच्चासनं न सेवेत न व्रजेत्परवेश्मसु
She should not occupy a high seat, nor go to another's house.
अपवादो न वक्तव्यः कलहं दूरतस्त्यजेत्
She should not speak slander, and should keep far from quarrels.
या भर्तारं परित्यज्य रहश्चरति दुर्मतिः 4.1.4.
A wicked woman who abandons her husband and secretly wanders—
ताडिता ताडितुं चेच्छेत्सा व्याघ्री वृषदंशिका
If, when struck, she wishes to strike back, she is like a tigress or a wasp.
या भर्तारं परित्यज्य मिष्टमऽश्नाति केवलम्
A woman who, abandoning her husband, eats delicacies alone—
या त्वं(हुं) कृत्याऽप्रियं ब्रूते मूका सा जायते खलु
And she who speaks unpleasant words or curses becomes mute, indeed.
दृष्टिं विलुप्य भर्तुर्या कंचिदन्यं समीक्षते
Having withdrawn her gaze from her husband, she looks upon another.
बाह्यादायांतमालोक्य त्वरिता च जलाशनैः
Seeing someone approaching from outside, she hastily drinks water.
तथैव चाटुवचनैः खेदसंनोदनैः परैः
Likewise, with flattering words and by stirring up distress through others.
मितं ददाति हि पिता मितं भ्राता मितं सुतः
A father gives only a little, a brother a little, and a son a little.
भर्ता देवो गुरुर्भर्ता धर्म तीर्थ व्रतानि च
The husband is god, the husband is teacher, and so are righteousness, pilgrimage, and vows.
जीवहीनो यथा देहः क्षणादशुचितां व्रजेत्
Just as a body without life instantly becomes impure.
अमंगलेभ्यः सर्वेभ्यो विधवा त्यक्तमंगला 4.1.4.
A widow, deprived of auspiciousness, is excluded from all auspicious things.
विहाय मातरं चैकां सर्वमंगलवर्जिताम
Having abandoned even her mother, she is deprived of all auspiciousness.
कन्याविवाहसमये वाचयेयुरिति द्विजाः
At the time of a maiden's marriage, the twice-born should recite thus.
भर्ता सदानुयातव्यो देहवच्छायया स्त्रिया
A husband must always be followed by a wife, as her body follows its shadow.
अनुव्रजति भर्तारं गृहात्पितृवनं मुदा
She joyfully follows her husband from her father's house to the forest.
व्यालग्राही यथा व्यालं बलादुद्धरते बिलात
Just as one who catches a snake forcibly pulls it from its hole.
यमदूताः पलायंते सतीमालोक्य दूरतः ।। अपि दुष्कृतकर्माणं समुत्सृज्य च तत्पतिम्
The messengers of Yama flee when they see a virtuous wife from afar; even if her husband has committed evil deeds, they abandon him.
न तथा बिभीमो वह्नेर्नतथा विद्युतो यथा
We do not fear fire so much, nor lightning, as much as—