Scriptures

Śrīmad Devī Bhāgavatam

BOOK 7 • CHAPTER 3
Ch 3 Verse 1-2 Verse
Sanskrit Text
७.३ तृतीयोऽध्यायः । च्यवनसुकन्ययोर्गार्हस्थ्यवर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच - इति पप्रच्छ तान्सर्वान् राजा चिन्ताकुलस्तथा । पर्यपृच्छत्सुहृद्वर्गं साम्ना चोग्रतयापि च ॥ १ ॥ पीड्यमानं जनं वीक्ष्य पितरं दुःखितं तथा । विचिन्त्य शूलभेदं सा सुकन्या चेदमब्रवीत् ॥ २ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! Thus the King, troubled with cares asked his soldiers, in an angry mood. Next he asked his friends in sweet words. The princess, seeing his father and his soldiers sorrowful, thought of her piercing the two eyes of the Muni with a thorn and thus spoke to the King :--
Ch 3 Verse 3 Verse
Sanskrit Text
वने मया पितस्तत्र वल्मीको वीरुधावृतः । क्रीडन्त्या सुदृढो दृष्टश्छिद्रद्वयसमन्वितः ॥ ३ ॥
English Translation
:-- O Father! While sporting in that forest, I came to see a very hard anthill covered with creepers and shrubs wherein I found two holes,
Ch 3 Verse 4 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तत्र खद्योतवद्दीप्तज्योतीषी वीक्षिते मया । सूच्याविद्धे महाराज पुनः खद्योतशङ्कया ॥ ४ ॥
English Translation
O King! Through those small openings, I saw the two shining things as if they were fireflies and thinking them so I pierced them with thorns.
Ch 3 Verse 5-6 Verse
Sanskrit Text
जलक्लिन्ना तदा सूची मया दृष्टा पितः किल । हाहेति च श्रुतः शब्दो मन्दो वल्मीकमध्यतः ॥ ५ ॥ तदाहं विस्मिता राजन्किमेतदिति शङ्कया । न जाने किं मया विद्धं तस्मिन्वल्मीकमण्डले ॥ ६ ॥
English Translation
At this time a faint voice I heard coming from that anthill. “Oh! I am killed!” I then took out my thorns and found them wet with water. “What is this!” I asked myself and was thunderstruck with fear; but I could not know what I pierced in that anthill.
Ch 3 Verse 7 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजा श्रुत्वा तु शर्यातिः सुकन्यावचनं मृदु । मुनेस्तद्धेलनं ज्ञात्वा वल्मीकं क्षिप्रमभ्यगात् ॥ ७ ॥
English Translation
Hearing these gentle words of her daughter, the King Śaryāti thought that that act had no doubt insulted the Muni and went at once to the anthill.
Ch 3 Verse 8 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तत्रापश्यत्तपोवृद्धं च्यवनं दुःखितं भृशम् । स्फोटयामास वल्मीकं मुनिदेहावृतं भृशम् ॥ ८ ॥
English Translation
He broke the anthill that covered the Muni and saw the suffering Cyavana aged in practising Tapasyā, very much in pain.
Ch 3 Verse 9-10 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रणम्य दण्डवद्भूमौ राजा तं भार्गवं प्रति । तुष्टाव विनयोपेतस्तमुवाच कृताञ्जलिः ॥ ९ ॥ पुत्र्या मम महाभाग क्रीडन्त्या दुष्कृतं कृतम् । अज्ञानाद्बालया ब्रह्मन् कृतं तत्क्षन्तुमर्हसि ॥ १० ॥
English Translation
The King prostrated flat before the Muni and then with folded hands, praised him with hymns and humbly said to him :-- “O Intelligent One! My daughter has done this wrong act while sporting; Therefore O high-souled One! What she had done unknowingly, do you forgive out of your own high-hearted-ness and liberality.
Ch 3 Verse 11 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अक्रोधना हि मुनयो भवन्तीति मया श्रुतम् । तस्मात्त्वमपि बालायाः क्षन्तुमर्हसि साम्प्रतम् ॥ ११ ॥
English Translation
I have heard that the ascetics are always void of anger; therefore now you have to forgive this daughter of the offence and thus shew your kindness.”
Ch 3 Verse 12 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच - इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य च्यवनो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । विनयोपनतं दृष्ट्वा राजानं दुःखितं भृशम् ॥ १२ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- The Maharṣi Cyavana, hearing thus the King’s words and specially seeing his humble and distressed nature, said :--
Ch 3 Verse 13-14 Verse
Sanskrit Text
च्यवन उवाच - राजन्नाहं कदाचिद्वै करोमि क्रोधमण्वपि । न मयाद्यैव शप्तस्त्वं दुहित्रा पीडने कृते ॥ १३ ॥ नेत्रे पीडा समुत्पन्ना मम चाद्य निरागसः । तेन पापेन जानामि दुःखितस्त्वं महीपते ॥ १४ ॥
English Translation
O King! I never was angry a bit; your daughter had pained me; yet I am not angry and have not cast on her any curse; you better see, that I am innocent; much pain is felt by me due to my eyes being pricked. O King! It seems that you are sorry and troubled for that sin.
Ch 3 Verse 15 Verse
Sanskrit Text
अपराधं परं कृत्वा देवीभक्तस्य को जनः । सुखं लभेत यदपि भवेत् त्राता शिवः स्वयम् ॥ १५ ॥
English Translation
Who can acquire happiness in this world who has committed a great offence to a Bhakta of the Devī, in spite he gets even Śiva as his Protector.
Ch 3 Verse 16 Verse
Sanskrit Text
किं करोमि महीपाल नेत्रहीनो जरावृतः । अन्धस्य परिचर्यां च कः करिष्यति पार्थिव ॥ १६ ॥
English Translation
O King! On the one hand, I am now worn out by old age, and then, on the other hand, I am deprived of my eyes; what shall be now my means? Please say, who will take care of the blind man?
Ch 3 Verse 17 Verse
Sanskrit Text
राजोवाच - सेवका बहवः सेवां करिष्यन्ति तवानिशम् । क्षमस्व मुनिशार्दूल स्वल्पक्रोधा हि तापसाः ॥ १७ ॥
English Translation
The King said :-- O Muni! The anger of the ascetics is transient; you are in practice of your tapasyā; so your anger is a thing of impossibility. So kindly forgive the offence of the daughter. I have got many persons who will incessantly take care of you.
Ch 3 Verse 18 Verse
Sanskrit Text
च्यवन उवाच - अन्धोऽहं निर्जनो राजंस्तपस्तप्तुं कथं क्षमः । त्वदीयाः सेवकाः किं ते करिष्यन्ति मम प्रियम् ॥ १८ ॥
English Translation
Cyavana said :-- “O King! There is none of my relations with me; then I am now made blind; how shall I go on with my tapasyā? I do not think that your servants will take care of me.
Ch 3 Verse 19-20 Verse
Sanskrit Text
क्षमापयसि चेन्मां त्वं कुरु मे वचनं नृप । देहि मे परिचर्यार्थं कन्यां कमललोचनाम् ॥ १९ ॥ तुष्येऽनया महाराज पुत्र्या तव महामते । करिष्यामि तपश्चाहं सा मे सेवां करिष्यति ॥ २० ॥
English Translation
O King! If you think it your duty to please me, then do my word, give me your lotus-eyed daughter to serve me and take care of me. O King! I will be very glad if I acquire your daughter; she will serve me when I will be engaged in my tapasyā.
Ch 3 Verse 21-22 Verse
Sanskrit Text
एवं कृते सुखं मे स्यात्तव चैव भविष्यति । सन्तुष्टे मयि राजेन्द्र सैनिकानां न संशयः ॥ २१ ॥ विचिन्त्य मनसा भूप कन्यादानं समाचर । न चात्र दूषणं किञ्चित्तापसोऽहं यतव्रतः ॥ २२ ॥
English Translation
O King! This, if observed, will satisfy me and all the troubles that are now with you and your army will no doubt disappear. O King! Think and grant me your daughter; I am an ascetic observing vows and if you give over your daughter to me, you will not iñcur any sin nor any fault.”
Ch 3 Verse 23 Verse
Sanskrit Text
व्यास उवाच - शर्यातिर्वचनं श्रुत्वा मुनेश्चिन्तातुरोऽभवत् । न दास्येऽप्यथवा दास्ये किञ्चिन्नोवाच भारत ॥ २३ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O Bharata! Hearing thus the Muni’s words, the King Śaryāti was immersed in cares and could not say anything whether he would or would not give over his daughter to him.
Ch 3 Verse 24 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कथमन्धाय वृद्धाय कुरूपाय सुतामिमाम् । देवकन्योपमां दत्त्वा सुखी स्यामात्मसम्भवाम् ॥ २४ ॥
English Translation
The King thought, “My daughter is very fair like a Devakanyā and this Muni is aged, ugly and specially he is blind; how then can I be happy if I give over my daughter to him.
Ch 3 Verse 25 Verse
Sanskrit Text
को वात्मनः सुखार्थाय पुत्र्याः संसारजं सुखम् । हरतेऽल्पमतिः पापो जानन्नपि शुभाशुभम् ॥ २५ ॥
English Translation
Who is there so stupid and vicious that knowing his good and bad, he for his own selfish happiness wants to deprive his beautiful daughter of the enjoyments of her married life.
Ch 3 Verse 26 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्राप्य सा च्यवनं सुभ्रूः पञ्चबाणशरार्दिता । अन्धं वृद्धं पतिं प्राप्य कथं कालं नयिष्यति ॥ २६ ॥
English Translation
How will that fair eyebrowed daughter of mine pass her days happily in the company of this aged Muni when she will be overpowered by passion.
Ch 3 Verse 27-28 Verse
Sanskrit Text
यौवने दुर्जयः कामो विशेषेण सुरूपया । आत्मतुल्यं पतिं प्राप्य किमु वृद्धं विलोचनम् ॥ २७ ॥ गौतमं तापसं प्राप्य रूपयौवनसंयुता । अहल्या वासवेनाशु वञ्चिता वरवर्णिनी ॥ २८ ॥
English Translation
The more so when the young beautiful ladies are not able to conquer their passions though possessed of husbands of their own standard and liking, how then can my daughter conquer her passion on getting this old blind husband! The exquisitely beautiful Ahalyā married Gautama; but, seeing the youthful beauty of that lovely lady, Indra deceived her and took away her chastity.
Ch 3 Verse 29 Verse
Sanskrit Text
शप्ता च पतिना पश्चाज्ज्ञात्वा धर्मविपर्ययम् । तस्माद्भवतु मे दुःखं न ददामि सुकन्यकाम् ॥ २९ ॥
English Translation
Till at last, her husband Gautama finding that action contrary to Dharma, cursed him. Now through the severe curse of that Brāhmaṇa many troubles may arise; so I cannot in any case give my daughter Sukanyā over to him.”
Ch 3 Verse 30 Verse
Sanskrit Text
इति सञ्चिन्त्य शर्यातिर्विमना स्वगृहं ययौ । सचिवांश्च समादाय मन्त्रं चक्रेऽतिदुःखितः ॥ ३० ॥
English Translation
Thus thinking and absent-minded the King went back to his home and, being very distressed, called his ministers to form a council.
Ch 3 Verse 31 Verse
Sanskrit Text
भो मन्त्रिणो ब्रुवन्त्वद्य किं कर्तव्यं मयाधुना । पुत्री देयाथ विप्राय भोक्तव्यं दुःखमेव वा ॥ ३१ ॥
English Translation
O Ministers! What am I to do now? Is it advisable to give over my daughter to the Muni? Or is it better to suffer these pains? Judge and say what is the best course for me.
Ch 3 Verse 32 Verse
Sanskrit Text
विचारयध्वं मिलिता हितं स्यान्मम वै कथम् । मन्त्रिण ऊचुः - किं ब्रूमोऽस्मिन्महाराज सङ्कटेऽतिदुरासदे ॥ ३२ ॥
English Translation
The Ministers said :-- “O King! What shall we say in this critical juncture? How can you bestow your exceedingly beautiful daughter to that ugly unfortunate ascetic?”
Ch 3 Verse 33-34 Verse
Sanskrit Text
दुर्भगाय सुकन्यैषा कथं देयातिसुन्दरी । व्यास उवाच - तदा चिन्ताकुलं वीक्ष्य पितरं मन्त्रिणस्तदा ॥ ३३ ॥ सुकन्या त्विङ्गितं ज्ञात्वा प्रहस्येदमुवाच ह । पितः कस्माद्भवानद्य चिन्ताव्याकुलितेन्द्रियः ॥ ३४ ॥
English Translation
Dvaipāyana said :-- At this moment, seeing her father and ministers troubled very much with cares, Sukanyā understood at once everything by signs and hints; she then smilingly said to her dear father :-- “O Father! Why are you looking so sad with cares? Perhaps you are very much troubled and sad for me.
Ch 3 Verse 35-36 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मत्कृते दुःखसंविग्नो विषण्णवदनोऽसि वै । अहं गत्वा मुनिं तत्र समाश्वास्य भयार्दितम् ॥ ३५ ॥ करिष्यामि प्रसन्नं तमात्मदानेन वै पितः । इति राजा वचः श्रुत्वा भाषितं यत्सुकन्यया ॥ ३६ ॥
English Translation
O Father! I have pained that Muni; so I will go and console him; what more than this that I will give up myself at his feet and please him.” Hearing these words of Sukanyā, the King spoke to her very gladly before all the ministers.
Ch 3 Verse 37 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तामुवाच प्रसन्नात्मा सचिवानां च शृण्वताम् । कथं पुत्रि त्वमन्धस्य परिचर्यां वनेऽबला ॥ ३७ ॥
English Translation
O Daughter! The Cyavana Muni is blind, aged and of a worn figure, especially of a very irritable temper; and you are a mere girl; how will you be able to serve him in that dreadful forest?
Ch 3 Verse 38 Verse
Sanskrit Text
करिष्यसि जरार्तस्य क्रोधनस्य विशेषतः । कथमन्धाय चानेन रूपेण रतिसन्निभाम् ॥ ३८ ॥
English Translation
You are like Rati in beauty and loveliness; how can I bestow my daughter to that aged worn out, blind Muni for my own pleasure!
Ch 3 Verse 39 Verse
Sanskrit Text
ददामि जरया ग्रस्तदेहाय सुखवाञ्छया । पित्रा पुत्री प्रदातव्या वयोज्ञातिबलाय च ॥ ३९ ॥
English Translation
The father marries the daughter to him who has got relations, who is of a proper age, strong, who has got unequalled grains and wealth, gems and jewels; never to a man void of wealth.
Ch 3 Verse 40 Verse
Sanskrit Text
धनधान्यसमृद्धाय नाधनाय कदाचन । क्व ते रूपं विशालाक्षि क्वासौ वृद्धो वनेचरः ॥ ४० ॥
English Translation
O broad-eyed One! You are exquisitely handsome; and that ascetic is very old; see what an amount of difference lies between you two. The Muni, moreover, has past his marriageable age; so how can I give over my daughter.
Ch 3 Verse 41 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कथं देया मया पुत्री तस्मै नातिवराय च । उटजे नियतं वासो यस्य नित्यं मनोहरे ॥ ४१ ॥
English Translation
O Lotus-eyed! You always dwell in beautiful places; how can I now make you dwell for ever in thatched huts?
Ch 3 Verse 42 Verse
Sanskrit Text
कथमम्बुजपत्राक्षि कल्पनीयो मया तव । मरणं मे वरं प्राप्तं सैनिकानां तथैव च ॥ ४२ ॥
English Translation
O Cuckoo avoiced one! Rather will I and my soldiers die than to bestow you to that blind husband.
Ch 3 Verse 43 Verse
Sanskrit Text
न ते प्रदानमन्धाय रोचते पिकभाषिणि । भवितव्यं भवत्येव धैर्यं नैव त्यजाम्यहम् ॥ ४३ ॥
English Translation
Let whatever come it may, I will never lose patience; therefore, O One of good hips! Be quiet. I will never give you to that blind man.
Ch 3 Verse 44 Verse
Sanskrit Text
सुस्थिरा भव सुश्रोणि न दास्येऽन्धाय कर्हिचित् । राज्यं तिष्ठतु वा यातु देहोऽयं च तथैव मे ॥ ४४ ॥
English Translation
O my Daughter! I don’t care a straw whether my kingdom and my body live or die, but I will never be able to give you over to the ascetic.
Ch 3 Verse 45 Verse
Sanskrit Text
न त्वां दास्याम्यहं तस्मै नेत्रहीनाय बालिके । सुकन्या तं तदा प्राह श्रुत्व तद्वचनं पितुः ॥ ४५ ॥
English Translation
Hearing thus the father’s words, Sukanyā began to speak with a glad face the following sweet and gentle words :--
Ch 3 Verse 46-48 Verse
Sanskrit Text
प्रसन्नवदनातीव स्नेहयुक्तमिदं वचः । सुकन्योवाच - न मे चिन्ता पितः कार्या देहि मां मुनयेऽधुना ॥ ४६ ॥ सुखं भवतु सर्वेषां लोकानां मत्कृतेन हि । सेवयिष्यामि सन्तुष्टा पतिं परमपावनम् ॥ ४७ ॥ भक्त्या परमया चापि वृद्धं च विजने वने । सतीधर्मपरा चाहं चरिष्यामि सुसम्मतम् ॥ ४८ ॥
English Translation
O Father! Do not trouble yourself for nothing with cares on my account. Give me over now to that best of Munis; then all the persons will be happy, no doubt. I will derive my intense pleasure there in that dense forest by serving with intense devotion my old husband, who is very holy. I have got not the least inclination towards these worldly enjoyments which are the sources of all troubles for nothing, My heart is now quiet. Therefore, O Father! I will become a chaste wife to him and act according to his liking.
Ch 3 Verse 49-54 Verse
Sanskrit Text
न भोगेच्छास्ति मे तात स्वस्थं चित्तं ममानघ । व्यास उवाच - तच्छ्रुत्वा भाषितं तस्या मन्त्रिणो विस्मयं गताः ॥ ४९ ॥ राजा च परमप्रीतो जगाम मुनिसन्निधौ । गत्वा प्रणम्य शिरसा तमुवाच तपोधनम् ॥ ५० ॥ स्वामिन् गृहाण पुत्रीं मे सेवार्थं विधिवद्विभो । इत्युक्त्वासौ ददौ पुत्रीं विवाहविधिना नृपः ॥ ५१ ॥ प्रतिगृह्य मुनिः कन्यां प्रसन्नो भार्गवोऽभवत् । पारिबर्हं न जग्राह दीयमानं नृपेण ह ॥ ५२ ॥ कन्यामेवाग्रहीत्कामं परिचर्यार्थमात्मनः । प्रसन्नेऽस्मिन्मुनौ जातं सैनिकानां सुखं तदा ॥ ५३ ॥ राज्ञश्च परमाह्लादः सञ्जातस्तत्क्षणादपि । दत्त्वा पुत्रीं यदा राजा गमनाय गृहं प्रति ॥ ५४ ॥
English Translation
Vyāsa said :-- O King! The Ministers were greatly amazed on hearing these words and the King also became greatly pleased and took her to the presence of the Muni. Going before him, he bowed down to the Muni and said :-- “O Lord! Please accept duly this daughter for your Sevā.” Thus saying, the King betrothed his daughter to him according to rules. Cyavana Muni also became very glad to receive her. The Muni took the daughter willingly for his Sevā but refused other dowries that the King presented. Thus the Muni became pleased; immediately the soldiers began to evacuate and were very glad. Seeing this, the King’s heart became filled with joy. When the King, thus finishing the betrothal ceremony of his daughter wanted to return home, the thin bodied princess then told her father :--
Ch 3 Verse 55-59 Verse
Sanskrit Text
मतिं चकार तवङ्गी तदोवाच नृपं सुता । सुकन्योवाच - गृहाण मम वासांसि भूषणानि च मे पितः ॥ ५५ ॥ वल्कलं परिधानाय प्रयच्छाजिनमुत्तमम् । वेषं तु मुनिपत्नीनां कृत्वा तपसि सेवनम् ॥ ५६ ॥ करिष्यामि तथा तात यथा ते कीर्तिरच्युता । भविष्यति भुवः पृष्ठे तथा स्वर्गे रसातले ॥ ५७ ॥ परलोकसुखायाहं चरिष्यामि दिवानिशम् । दत्त्वान्धाय च वृद्धाय सुन्दरीं युवतीं तु माम् ॥ ५८ ॥ चिन्ता त्वया न कर्तव्या शीलनाशसमुद्भवा । अरुन्धती वसिष्ठस्य धर्मपत्नी यथा भुवि ॥ ५९ ॥
English Translation
Sukanyā said :-- “O Father! Take away all my ornaments and clothings and give me for my use an excellent deer skin and one bark. O Father! I will dress myself like the wives of Munis and serve my husband in such a way as will bring to you the unparallelled undying fame in Heaven, Earth and the Nether regions; also I will serve my husband’s feet so that I can derive the highest happiness in the next world. I am now full of youth, especially beautiful; do not think a bit that as I am wedded to an aged ascetic, that my character will be spoilt. As Vaśistha’s wife Arundhati has attained celebrity in this world, so I will also attain success; there is no doubt in this.
Ch 3 Verse 60-64 Verse
Sanskrit Text
तथैवाहं भविष्यामि नात्र कार्या विचारणा । अनसूया यथा साध्वी भार्यात्रेः प्रथिता भुवि ॥ ६० ॥ तथैवाहं भविष्यामि पुत्री कीर्तिकरी तव । सुकन्यावचनं श्रुत्वा राजा परमधर्मवित् ॥ ६१ ॥ दत्त्वाजिनं रुरोदाशु वीक्ष्य तां चारुहासिनीम् । त्यक्त्वा भूषणवासांसि मुनिवेषधरां सुताम् ॥ ६२ ॥ विवर्णवदनो भूत्वा स्थितस्तत्रैव पार्थिवः । राज्ञ्यः सर्वाः सुतां दृष्ट्वा वल्कलाजिनधारिणीम् ॥ ६३ ॥ रुरुदुर्भृशशोकार्ता वेपमाना इवाभवन् । तामापृच्छ्य महीपालो मन्त्रिभिः परिवारितः । ययौ स्वनगरं राजन् मुक्त्वा पुत्रीं शुचार्पिताम् ॥ ६४ ॥
Sanskrit Colophon
इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमस्कन्धे च्यवनसुकन्ययोर्गार्हस्थ्यवर्णनं नाम तृतीयोऽध्यायः ॥ ७.३॥
English Translation
As the chaste wife Anasūyā of Maharṣi Artri has become widely known in this world so will I be known also and establish your fame.” The exceedingly religious King hearing all these words of Sukanyā gave her deer skin and all other articles wanted. The King could not help weeping, when he saw that his daughter had dressed herself like the daughter of a Muni. He stood fixed, very sad, on that very spot. All the queens were exceedingly filled with sorrow to see the daughter dressed in bark and deer-skin. Their hearts quivered and they began to weep. O King! Then the King Śaryāti bade good bye to the Muni, leaving there his daughter. He went with a grievous heart and returned to his own city, accompanied by the ministers. Here ends the Third Chapter of the Seventh Book on the bestowing of the daughter of the King Śaryāti to the Cyavana Muni in Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam, the Mahā Purāṇam of 18,000 verses, by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.