यदृच्छया पतन्त्या तु सूर्यः कोपेन वीक्षितः
As she fell by chance, the Sun was gazed upon with anger.
दिवं मुक्त्वा महातेजाः पतितो धरणीतले
Leaving the sky, the radiant one fell to the earth.
किमर्थमिह तेजस्विंस्त्यक्त्वा मण्डलमागतः 208.
For what reason, O radiant one, have you left your sphere and come here?
एवं ब्रुवन्तं राजानं सूर्यः सानुनयोऽब्रवीत्
To the king who spoke thus, the Sun replied with conciliation:
ततोऽहं पतितो राजंस्तव कार्यानुशासनः
Therefore, O king, I have fallen, following your command.
पृथिव्यां स्वर्गलोके वा न काचिदिह दृश्यते
On earth or in heaven, nothing like this is seen here.
अहो धैर्यं च शक्तिश्च तवैवं शंसिता गुणाः
Ah, your courage and strength—such qualities are indeed praised.
अनुरूपा विशुद्धा च तपसा च वराङ्गना
She is suitable, pure, and, by her austerity, an excellent woman.
सदृशी ते महाभाग शक्रस्येव यथा शची
She is like you, O greatly fortunate one, just as Śacī is to Indra.
अनुरूपः सुरूपो वा यतो जातः सुयन्त्रितः
He is suitable, handsome, and well-governed, from whom she was born.
कुरुष्व दयितं क्षेत्रं यथा मनसि वर्त्तते
Do as you desire with the beloved field, just as it is in your mind.
उपानहौ च छत्रं च दिव्यालंकार भूषितम् 208.
And sandals and an umbrella, adorned with divine ornaments.
उपभोक्तुं सुखस्यार्थं सुपुण्यस्य विशेषतः
For the sake of enjoying happiness, especially of great merit.
एवमुक्त्वा तु भगवांस्तथा तत्कृतवान् क्वचित्
Having spoken thus, the Blessed Lord did accordingly at that place.
ततः साप्यायिता देवी तोयेन शुभलक्षणा
Then the auspiciously marked goddess was refreshed with water.
देवी दृष्ट्वा तदाश्चर्यं विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचना
The goddess, seeing that wonder, her eyes wide with astonishment.
एतन्मे संशयं राजन्कथयस्व तपोधन एष देवो महादेवि विवस्वान्नाम नामतः
O king, tell me this doubt of mine, O ascetic: this god, O great goddess, is called Vivasvan by name.
तवानुकम्पया देवि मुक्त्वाकाशमिहागतः
Out of compassion for you, O goddess, he left the sky and came here.
करवाण्यस्य कां प्रीतिं ज्ञायतामस्य वाच्छितम्
Let me know what pleasure I should do for him, what he desires.
विज्ञापयामास तदा भगवन् किं करोमि ते
Then she asked, 'O Lord, what shall I do for you?'
अभयं मे महाराज स्त्रीभ्यो भवतु मानद
Let there be safety for me, O great king, and for women, O giver of honor.
तां प्रियां प्रीतहृदयां श्रावयंस्तस्य भाषितम् 208.
He spoke these words to his beloved, whose heart was gladdened.
प्रीत्या परमया युक्ता तस्य राज्ञो मनःप्रिया
Filled with supreme affection, she was dear to that king's heart.
इमौ चोपानहौ दत्त्वा चौभौ पादस्य शङ्करौ
And giving these two sandals, both for the feet of Shankara.
एवं पतिव्रतां विप्र पूजयामि नमामि च
Thus I honor and bow to the devoted wife, O Brahmin.
इति श्रीवराहपुराणे संसारचक्रे पतिव्रतोपाख्यानं नाम अष्टाधिकद्विशततमोऽध्यायः
Thus, in the glorious Varaha Purana, the two hundred and eighth chapter, named 'The Story of the Devoted Wife' in the cycle of worldly existence.
अथ पतिव्रतामाहात्म्य वर्णनम् कर्मणा केन राजेन्द्र तपसा वा तपोधनाः
Now, the description of the greatness of the devoted wife: By what action, O king of kings, or by what austerity, O ascetics?
एवमुक्तस्तु धर्मात्मा नारदेनाब्रवीत्तदा न तस्य नियमो विप्र तपो नैव च सुव्रत
Thus addressed, the righteous one spoke to Narada: For her, O Brahmin, there is no rule, no austerity, nor any strict vow.
उपवासो न दानं वा न देवो वा महामुने
Neither fasting, nor giving gifts, nor even worship of the gods, O great sage,
प्रसुप्ते या प्रस्वपिति जागर्ति विबुधे स्वयम्
She who sleeps when her husband sleeps, and wakes of her own accord when he is awake,