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,
मौने मौना भवेद्या तु स्थिते तिष्ठति या स्वयम्
She who remains silent when he is silent, and stands when he stands of her own will,
एकदृष्टिरेकमना भर्त्तुर्वचनकारिणी
Who looks only to him, whose mind is fixed on him alone, who acts according to her husband's word,
देवानामपि सा साध्वी पूज्या परमशोभना
Such a virtuous woman is worthy of worship even by the gods, supremely radiant.
वर्त्तमानापि विप्रेन्द्र प्रत्याख्यातापि वा सदा
Whether she is flourishing or rejected, O foremost of Brahmins, she always remains so.
सा न मृत्युमुखं याति एवं या स्त्री पतिव्रता
Such a devoted wife does not enter the jaws of death.
अनुवेष्टनभावेन भर्त्तारमनुगच्छति 209.
She follows her husband with a devoted attitude.
एष माता पिता बन्धुरेष मे दैवतं परम्
He is my mother, he is my father, he is my relative, he is my supreme deity.
पतिव्रता तु या साध्वी तस्यां चाहं कृताञ्जलिः
To such a virtuous and devoted wife, I offer my reverent salutations.
भर्त्तारमनुशोचन्ती मृत्युद्वारं न पश्यति
A woman who grieves for her husband does not see the door of death.
न शृणोति न पश्येद्या मृत्युद्वारं न पश्यति
She who neither hears nor sees another does not see the door of death.