Varaha Purana

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.

नान्यं या मनसा पश्येन्मृत्युद्वारं न पश्यति

She who does not look upon another with her mind does not see the door of death.

पतिं न त्यजते चित्तान्मृत्युद्वारं न पश्यति

She who does not abandon her husband in her heart does not see the door of death.

गृहं मार्जयते नित्यं मृत्युद्वारं न पश्यति

She who always keeps the house clean does not see the door of death.

शौचाचारसमायुक्ता सापि मृत्युं न पश्यति

She who is endowed with purity and good conduct does not see death.

वर्त्तते च हिते भर्त्तुर्मृत्युद्वारं न पश्यति

She who acts for her husband's welfare does not see the door of death.

मानुषाणां च भार्या वै तत्र देशे तु दृश्यते 209.

Among human beings, such a wife is indeed seen in that land.

मया तस्मात्तु विप्रर्षे यथावृत्तं यथाश्रुतम्

Therefore, O sage among the twice-born, I have related to you all that happened and all that I have heard.

इति श्रीवराहपुराणे संसारचक्रे पतिव्रतामाहात्म्यंनाम नवाधिकद्विशततमोऽध्यायः

Thus ends the two hundred and ninth chapter, called 'The Greatness of the Devoted Wife' in the cycle of worldly existence, in the glorious Varaha Purana.

पुनः पतिव्रतामाहात्म्यवर्णनम् रहस्यं धर्ममाख्यानं त्वयोक्तं तु महायशः

Once again, the greatness of the devoted wife is described; you have spoken of the secret and righteous teaching, O illustrious one.

इदं हि सर्वभूतेषु परं कौतूहलं मम

Indeed, among all beings, this is the highest source of curiosity for me.