Vyāsa (attributed) · Complete work
Chapter 3 (Mahābhārata 3.295)
Chapter 3 (Mahābhārata 3.295) of 8. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
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295.1 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।अथ मद्राधिपो राजा नारदेन समागतः।उपविष्टः सभामध्ये कथायोगेन भारत ।।
295.2 ततोऽभिगम्य तीर्थानि सर्वाण्येवाश्रमांस्तथा।आजगाम पितुर्वेश्म सावित्री सह मन्त्रिभिः ।।
295.3 नारदेन सहासीनं सा दृष्ट्वा पितरं शुभा।उभयोरेव शिरसा चक्रे पादाभिवादनम् ।।
295.4 नारद उवाच।क्व गताऽभूत्सुतेयं ते कुतश्चैवागता नृप।किमर्थं युवतीं भद्र न चैनां संप्रयच्छसि ।।
295.5 अश्वपतिरुवाच।कार्येण खल्वनेनैव प्रेषिताद्यैव चागता।एतस्याः शृणु देवर्षे भर्तारं योऽनया वृतः ।।
295.6 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।सा ब्रूहि विस्तरेणेति पित्रा संयोदिता शुभा।तदैव तस्य वचनं प्रतिगृह्येदमब्रवीत् ।।
295.7 आसीत्साल्वेषु धर्मात्मा क्षत्रियः पृथिवीपतिः।द्युमत्सेन इति ख्यातः पश्चाच्चान्धो बभूव ह ।।
295.8 विनष्टचक्षुषस्तस्य बालपुत्रस्य धीमतः।सामीप्येन हृतं राज्यं छिद्रेऽस्मिन्पूर्ववैरिणा ।।
295.9 स बालवत्सया सार्धं भार्यया प्रस्थितो वनम्।महारण्यं गतश्चापि पस्तेषे महाव्रतः ।।
295.10 तस्य पुत्रः पुरे जातः संवृद्धश्च तपोवने।सत्यवाननुरूपो मे भर्तेति मनसा वृतः ।।
295.11 नारद उवाच।अहो वत महत्पापं सावित्र्या नृपते कृतम्।अजानन्त्या यदनया गुणवान्सत्यवान्वृतः ।।
295.12 सत्यं वदत्यस्य पिता सत्यं माता प्रभाषते।तथाऽस् ब्राह्मणाश्चक्रुर्नामैतत्सत्यवानिति ।।
295.13 बालस्याश्वाः प्रियाश्चास्य करोत्यश्वांश्च मृन्मयान्।चित्रेऽपि विलिखत्यश्वांश्चित्राश्व इति चोच्यते ।।
295.14 राजोवाच।अपीदानीं स तेजस्वी बुद्धिमान्वा नृपात्मजः।क्षमावानपि वा शृरः सत्यवान्पितृवत्सलः ।।
295.15 नारद उवाच।विवस्वानिव तेजस्वी वृहस्पतिसमो मतौ।महेन्द्र इवन वीरश्च वसुधेव क्षमान्वितः ।।
295.16 अश्वपतिरुवाच।अपि राजात्मजो दाता ब्रह्मण्यश्चापि सत्यवान्।रूपवानप्युदारो वाऽप्यथवा प्रियदर्शनः ।।
295.17 नारद उवाच।सांकृते रन्तिदेवस् स्वशक्त्या दानतः समः।ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यवादी च शिबिरौशीनरो यथा ।।
295.18 ययातिरिव चोदारः सोमवत्प्रियदर्शनः।रूपेणान्यतमोऽश्विभ्यां द्युमत्सेनसुतो बली ।।
295.19 `स वदान्यः स तेजस्वीधीमांश्चैव क्षमान्वितः'।स दान्तः स मृदुः शूरः स सत्यः संयतेन्द्रियः।सन्मैत्रः सोनसूयश्च स ह्रीमान्द्युतिमांश्च सः ।।
295.20 नित्यशश्चार्जवं तस्मिन्धृतिस्तत्रैव च ध्रुवा।संक्षेपतस्तपोवृद्धैः शीलवृद्धैश्च कथ्यते ।।
295.21 अश्वपतिरुवाच।गुणैरुपेतं सर्वैस्तं भगवन्प्रब्रवीषि मे।दोषानप्यस्य मे ब्रूहि यदि सन्तीह केचन ।।
295.22 नारद उवाच।एक एवास्य दोषो हि गुणानाक्रम्य तिष्ठति।स च दोषः प्रयत्नेन न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम् ।।
295.23 एको दोषोऽस्ति नान्योऽस्य सोद्यप्रभृति सत्यवान्।संवत्सरेण क्षीणायुर्देहन्यासं करिष्यति ।।
295.24 राजोवाच।एहि सावित्रि गच्छस्व अन्यं वरय शोभने।तस्य दोषो महानेको गुणानाक्रम्य च स्थितः ।।
295.25 यथा मे भगवानाह नारदो देवसत्कृतः।संवत्सरेण सोऽल्पायुर्देहन्यासं करिष्यति ।।
295.26 सावित्र्युवाच।सकृदंशो निपतति सकृत्कन्या प्रदीयते।स कृदाह ददानीति त्रीण्येतानि सकृत्सकृते ।।
295.27 दीर्घायुरथवाऽल्पायुः सगुणो निर्गुणोऽपि वा।सकृद्वृतो मया भर्ता न द्वितीयं वृणोम्यहम् ।।
295.28 मनसा निश्चयं कृत्वाततो वाचाऽभिधीयते।क्रियते कर्मणा पश्चात्प्रमाणं मे मनस्ततः ।।
295.29 नारद उवाच।स्थिरा बुद्धिर्नरश्रेष्ठ सावित्र्या दुहितुस्तव।नैषा वारयितुं शक्या धर्मादस्मात्कथंचन ।।
295.30 नान्यस्मिन्पुरुषे सन्ति ये सत्यवति वै गुणाः।प्रदानमेव तस्मान्मे रोचते दुहितुस्तव ।।
295.31 राजोवाच।अविचाल्यमेतदुक्तं तथ्यं च भवता वचः।करिष्याम्येतदेवं च गुरुर्हि भगवान्मम ।।
295.32 नारद उवाच।अविघ्नमस्तु सावित्र्याः प्रदाने दुहितुस्तव।साधयिष्याम्यहं तावत्सर्वेषां भद्रमस्तु वः ।।
295.33 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।एवमुक्त्वा स्वमुत्पत्य नारदस्त्रिदिवं गतः।राजाऽपि दुहितुः सज्जं वैवाहिकमकारयत् ।।
Musean translation
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the Sanskrit, passage for passage, covering the whole Savitri episode of the Mahabharata (Book 3, chapters 293–300 of the vulgate), 321 verses.
295.1 Markandeya said:Then the king of Madra met Narada,and they sat conversing in the midst of the court, descendant of Bharata.
295.2 Having visited all the sacred fords and hermitages,Savitri came home to her father with the ministers.
295.3 Seeing her father seated with Narada, the gracious girlbowed her head to the feet of both.
295.4 Narada said:“Where has your daughter been, king, and where has she returned from?Why, good man, have you not given this young woman in marriage?”
295.5 Ashvapati said:“I sent her on that very errand, and she has just returned.Hear from her, divine sage, whom she has chosen for a husband.”
295.6 Markandeya said:At her father's instruction to tell the story fully,she accepted his command at once and spoke:
295.7 “Among the Shalvas there was a righteous warrior kingnamed Dyumatsena, who afterward became blind.
295.8 When this wise man lost his sight and his son was still a child,an old enemy from a neighboring land seized the opening and took his kingdom.
295.9 With his wife, who carried their child, he left for the forest;he went into the great wilderness and practiced austerities under a mighty vow.
295.10 His son was born in the city and grew up in the ascetic grove.I have chosen Satyavan in my heart as a husband worthy of me.”
295.11 Narada said:“Alas, king, Savitri has committed a grave mistakewithout knowing it, choosing the virtuous Satyavan.
295.12 His father speaks the truth, his mother too speaks the truth;so the brahmins gave him the name Satyavan, ‘truthful one.’
295.13 As a child he loved horses, fashioned horses out of clayand drew them in pictures; he was called ‘horse-painter.’”
295.14 The king said:“Is the prince radiant and wise?Is Satyavan patient, brave and devoted to his father?”
295.15 Narada said:“He shines like the sun, thinks like Brihaspati,is brave as great Indra, and patient as the earth.”
295.16 Ashvapati said:“Is Prince Satyavan generous and devoted to brahmins?Is he handsome, noble and pleasing to behold?”
295.17 Narada said:“In giving according to his means he equals Rantideva, son of Sankriti;he honors brahmins and speaks truth like Shibi, son of Ushinara.
295.18 He is noble as Yayati and lovely to see as the moon;Dyumatsena's strong son is as handsome as either Ashvin.
295.19 He is generous, brilliant, wise and patient;self-controlled, gentle, brave, truthful, his senses disciplined;loyal in friendship, free of envy, modest and radiant.
295.20 He is always honest and unfailingly steadfast;that is how elders rich in austerity and conduct describe him, in brief.”
295.21 Ashvapati said:“You tell me, revered sage, that he has every virtue.Tell me too of any faults he has.”
295.22 Narada said:“One fault alone overshadows all his virtues,and no effort can avert it.
295.23 He has this one fault and no other: one year from todaySatyavan's allotted life will end, and he will lay down his body.”
295.24 The king said:“Come, Savitri, go and choose another, beautiful child.That one great fault eclipses all his virtues.
295.25 As divine Narada, honored by the gods, tells me,in one year his short life will end and he will lay down his body.”
295.26 Savitri said:“An inheritance falls once, a daughter is given once,and once a man says, ‘I give’: these three things happen only once.
295.27 Whether long-lived or short-lived, virtuous or without virtue,I have chosen a husband once; I shall not choose a second.
295.28 First a decision is made in the mind, then spoken in words,then carried out in action; so my mind is my authority.”
295.29 Narada said:“Your daughter Savitri is firm in her resolve, best of men;she cannot be turned away from this dharma by any means.
295.30 No other man possesses the virtues Satyavan has;therefore I favor giving him your daughter.”
295.31 The king said:“What you have said is unshakable and true.I shall do just that, for you, revered sage, are my teacher.”
295.32 Narada said:“May nothing impede the marriage of your daughter Savitri.I shall take my leave now. May good fortune be yours, all of you.”
295.33 Markandeya said:So saying, Narada rose into the sky and went to heaven;the king made ready all that was needed for his daughter's wedding.
Plain English translation
Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from the Sanskrit, covering the whole Savitri episode of the Mahabharata (Book 3, chapters 293–300 of the vulgate), 321 verses.
295.1 Markandeya said:“The king of Madra was seated in his court talkingwith Narada when this happened, descendant of Bharata.
295.2 After visiting all the sacred places and forest retreats,Savitri came back to her father's home with the ministers.
295.3 She saw her father sitting with Naradaand respectfully bowed her head at both their feet.
295.4 Narada said:‘Where has your daughter been, king, and where has she returned from?Why have you not yet given this young woman in marriage, good man?’
295.5 Ashvapati said:‘I sent her away for just that purpose, and she has returned today.Divine sage, hear which husband she has chosen.’
295.6 Markandeya said:“Her father told her, ‘Tell us everything.’She agreed at once and said this:
295.7 ‘Among the Shalvas there was a king of the warrior class who lived rightly.His name was Dyumatsena, and later he went blind.
295.8 While his son was still a child, an old enemy in the neighboring landsused his loss of sight as an opportunity to seize his kingdom.
295.9 He set off for the forest with his wife, who had a young son.They reached the great forest, where he followed a strict life of religious discipline.
295.10 His son was born in the city but grew up in the forest retreat.I have chosen Satyavan as the husband who suits me.’
295.11 Narada said:‘King, what a terrible mistake Savitri has made without knowing it,in choosing the capable Satyavan!
295.12 His father speaks the truth, and so does his mother.That is why the priests named him Satyavan, which means truthful.
295.13 As a boy he loved horses and made clay horses.He also drew pictures of them, and people called him Chitrashva, the horse-painter.
295.14 The king said:‘Is this prince Satyavan strong and wise?Is he patient and brave, and does he love his father?’
295.15 Narada said:‘He shines like the sun and is as wise as Brihaspati.He is brave like great Indra and patient like the earth.’
295.16 Ashvapati said:‘Is the prince Satyavan generous and respectful of priests?Is he good-looking, noble, and pleasant to look at?’
295.17 Narada said:‘He gives as generously as Rantideva of the Sankriti family, to the extent of his means.Like Shibi, son of Ushinara, he respects priests and tells the truth.
295.18 He is noble like Yayati and as pleasant to look at as the moon.Dyumatsena's strong son is as handsome as either of the Ashvin twins.
295.19 He is generous, strong, intelligent, and patient.He is self-controlled, gentle, brave, truthful, and controls his senses.He keeps good friendships, envies no one, is modest, and shines with strength.
295.20 He is always straightforward and steady.That is how the elders, experienced in discipline and good conduct, describe him in brief.’
295.21 Ashvapati said:‘You tell me, sir, that he has every good quality.Tell me about his faults too, if he has any.’
295.22 Narada said:‘He has just one fault, but it outweighs his good qualities.No amount of effort can overcome it.
295.23 He has one fault and no other: one year from today,Satyavan's life will end, and he will die.’
295.24 The king said:‘Come, Savitri, go choose someone else, my dear.His one great fault outweighs his good qualities.
295.25 As the revered Narada, honored by the gods, tells me,his short life will end in a year, and he will die.’
295.26 Savitri said:‘An inheritance is divided once, a daughter is given in marriage once,and a person says “I give” once. Each of these happens just once.
295.27 Whether his life is long or short, whether he has good qualities or lacks them,I have chosen my husband once, and I will not choose another.
295.28 First a person decides in the mind, then says it aloud,and then acts. My mind is the authority for me.’
295.29 Narada said:‘Your daughter Savitri's mind is set, best of men.She cannot be turned away from this course, which is right.
295.30 No other man has Satyavan's good qualities.I therefore approve of giving your daughter to him.’
295.31 The king said:‘What you have said is true and cannot be changed.I will do so, for you are my teacher, sir.’
295.32 Narada said:‘May there be no obstacle to your daughter Savitri's marriage.I will leave now. May all of you be well.’
295.33 Markandeya said:“After saying this, Narada flew up to heaven.The king prepared everything needed for his daughter's wedding.”