Ch 5 Verse 1 Verse

Sanskrit Text

७.५ पञ्चमोऽध्यायः । अश्विभ्यां च्यवनद्वारा सोमपानाय प्रतिज्ञावर्णनम् । व्यास उवाच - तयोस्तद्भाषितं श्रुत्वा वेपमाना नृपात्मजा । धैर्यमालम्ब्य तौ तत्र बभाषे मितभाषिणी ॥ १ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Hearing their words, the princess began to tremble; but holding on patience she spoke to them in reserved terms thus :--

Ch 5 Verse 2 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवौ वां रविपुत्रौ च सर्वज्ञौ सुरसम्मतौ । सतीं मां धर्मशीलां च नैवं वदितुमर्हथः ॥ २ ॥

English Translation

You are the sons of Sūrya and you are the acknowledged deities amongst the gods; specially you know everything, I am a chaste virtuous woman. You ought not to speak to me in the above mannner.

Ch 5 Verse 3-4 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पित्रा दत्ता सुरश्रेष्ठौ मुनये योगधर्मिणे । कथं गच्छामि तं मार्गं पुंश्चलीगणसेवितम् ॥ ३ ॥ द्रष्टायं सर्वलोकस्य कर्मसाक्षी दिवाकरः । कश्यपाच्चैव सम्भूतो नैवं भाषितुमर्हथः ॥ ४ ॥

English Translation

O Twin Devas! Father has betrothed me to the Muni practising the Yoga Dharma; besides I am chaste; how can I behave like a prostitute! This Sun is the Witness of the actions good or bad of all people; He is therefore looking on our actions also. Besides you both are born in the family of the high-souled Kaśyapa.

Ch 5 Verse 5-6 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कुलकन्या पतिं त्यक्त्वा कथमन्यं भजेन्नरम् । असारेऽस्मिन्हि संसारे जानन्तौ धर्मनिर्णयम् ॥ ५ ॥ यथेच्छं गच्छतं देवौ शापं दास्यामि वानघौ । सुकन्याहं च शर्यातेः पतिभक्तिपरायणा ॥ ६ ॥

English Translation

Thus it is utterly wrong for you to utter such (irreligious and infamous) words. You know well the course of Dharma, what is religious and what is irreligious in this world which has got nothing substantial; how can a family woman leave her husband and serve another? Go wherever you like, O Sinless Devas! I am the daughter Sukanyā of the King Śaryāti, devoted to my husband. Otherwise I will curse you.

Ch 5 Verse 7-8 Verse

Sanskrit Text

व्यास उवाच - इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तस्या नासत्यौ विस्मितौ भृशम् । तावब्रूतां पुनस्त्वेनां शङ्कमानौ भयं मुनेः ॥ ७ ॥ राजपुत्रि प्रसन्नौ ते धर्मेण वरवर्णिनि । वरं वरय सुश्रोणि दास्यावः श्रेयसे तव ॥ ८ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O Bharata! Hearing these words, the Aśvins were greatly surprised, and, afraid of the Muni, spoke again :-- “O Princess! We are very much pleased to see your chastity; therefore, O Beautiful Woman! Ask boon from us; we will grant it for your welfare.

Ch 5 Verse 9 Verse

Sanskrit Text

जानीहि प्रमदे नूनमावां देवभिषग्वरौ । युवानं रूपसम्पन्नं प्रकुर्यावः पतिं तव ॥ ९ ॥

English Translation

O honoured Woman! We, the physicians of the gods, will certainly make your husband exceedingly beautiful and young,

Ch 5 Verse 10-11 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ततस्त्रयाणामस्माकं पतिमेकतमं वृणु । समानरूपदेहानां मध्ये चातुर्यपण्डिते ॥ १० ॥ सा तर्योवचनं श्रुत्वा विस्मिता स्वपतिं तदा । गत्वोवाच तयोर्वाक्यं ताभ्यामुक्तं यदद्भुतम् ॥ ११ ॥

English Translation

O Smart and Intelligent One! When we three will be exactly the same in figure, age and lustre! you better can make one of us your husband.” Hearing their words Sukanyā became greatly amazed and went to her own husband and spoke everything what they, the God’s physicians, said.

Ch 5 Verse 12 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सुकन्योवाच - स्वामिन् सूर्यसुतौ देवौ सम्प्राप्तौ च्यवनाश्रमे । दृष्टौ मया दिव्यदेहौ नासत्यौ भृगुनन्दन ॥ १२ ॥

English Translation

Sukanyā said :-- “O Husband! The Aśvins, the Sūrya’s sons, have come close to our Āśrama. I have seen the two Devas and their bright bodies.

Ch 5 Verse 13-15 Verse

Sanskrit Text

वीक्ष्य मां चारुसर्वाङ्गीं जातौ कामातुरावुभौ । कथितं वचनं स्वामिन् पतिं ते नवयौवनम् ॥ १३ ॥ दिव्यदेहं करिष्यावश्चक्षुष्मन्तं मुनिं किल । एतेन समयेनाद्य तं शृणु त्वं मयोदितम् ॥ १४ ॥ समावयवरूपं च करिष्यावः पतिं तव । तत्र त्रयाणामस्माकं पतिमेकतमं वृणु ॥ १५ ॥

English Translation

Seeing me beautiful they were overpowered with passion and told me, “We will, be sure, make your blind husband, young, bright and give him his two eyes again; but you will have to make one condition. Hear it :--Your husband will be exactly like us and you will have to select your husband amongst three of us.”

Ch 5 Verse 16 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तच्छ्रुत्वाहमिहायाता प्रष्टुं त्वां कार्यमद्भुतम् । किं कर्तव्यमतः साधो ब्रूह्यस्मिन्कार्यसङ्कटे ॥ १६ ॥

English Translation

O Holy One! Hearing this as strange, I now come to inform you. Now judge and say what I am to do now.

Ch 5 Verse 17 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवमायापि दुर्ज्ञेया न जाने कपटं तयोः । यदाज्ञापय सर्वज्ञ तत्करोमि तवेप्सितम् ॥ १७ ॥

English Translation

The Deva’s Maya is very difficult to comprehend; the more so, when I do not know their intentions! O Omniscient One! I will act as you desire.”

Ch 5 Verse 18 Verse

Sanskrit Text

च्यवन उवाच - गच्छ कान्तेऽद्य नासत्यौ वचनान्मम सुव्रते । आनयस्व समीपं मे शीघ्रं देवभिषग्वरौ ॥ १८ ॥

English Translation

Cyavana said :-- “O Beloved! Go just now, at my word, to the Aśvins and bring them, O auspicious One! before me. What more shall I say than this :-- Go and observe, what they say, as early as possible. There is no need to think over this matter.”

Ch 5 Verse 19 Verse

Sanskrit Text

क्रियतामाशु तद्वाक्यं नात्र कार्या विचारणा व्यास उवाच - एवं सा समनुज्ञाता तत्र गत्वा वचोऽब्रवीत् ॥ १९ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Thus getting the permission from her husband, Sukanyā went immediately to them and said :-- “O Aśvins! You are the chief gods; now do as you say. I agree to observe what you desire.”

Ch 5 Verse 20-21 Verse

Sanskrit Text

क्रियतामाशु नासत्यौ समयेन सुरोत्तमौ । तच्छ्रुत्वा चाश्विनौ वाक्यं तस्यास्तौ तत्र चागतौ ॥ २० ॥ ऊचतू राजपुत्रीं तां पतिस्तव विशत्वपः । रूपार्थं च्यवनस्तूर्णं ततोऽम्भः प्रविवेश ह ॥ २१ ॥

English Translation

Hearing her words, the two Devas then went to the Muni’s Āśrama and told the princess :-- “Let your husband enter in the midst of the water.” The aged Cyavana Muni went down quickly in the midst of waters to attain a good form.

Ch 5 Verse 22 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अधिनावपि पश्रान्त्रविष्टी सर उत्तमम् । ततस्ते निःसृतात्मासारसस्तक्षणात्वयः ॥ 22 ॥

English Translation

Next the two Aśvins entered into the water of that tank. A few minutes after, the three persons came out of the tank.

Ch 5 Verse 23-24 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अश्विनावपि पश्चात्तत्प्रविष्टौ सर उत्तमम् । ततस्ते निःसृतास्तस्मात्सरसस्तत्क्षणात्त्रयः । तुल्यरूपा दिव्य देहा युवानः सदृशाः किल । दिव्यकुण्डलभूषाढ्याः समानावयवास्तथा ॥ २३ ॥ तेऽब्रुवन्सहिताः सर्वे वृणीष्व वरवर्णिनि । अस्माकमीप्सितं भद्रे पतिं त्वममलानने ॥ २४ ॥

English Translation

They all spoke simultaneously :--“O Auspicious One! There is no other woman beautiful like you, especially your face is very clean and fair; therefore select any one of us three as your husband. O Fair One! Whomever you love most, choose him.”

Ch 5 Verse 25 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यस्मिन्वाप्यधिका प्रीतिस्तं वृणुष्व वरानने । व्यास उवाच - सा दृष्ट्वा तुल्यरूपांस्तान्समानवयसस्तथा ॥ २५ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Sukanyā then saw their bodies are equally bright and beautiful; not the least difference is to be found in beauty, age, voice and dress.

Ch 5 Verse 26 Verse

Sanskrit Text

एकस्वरांस्तुल्यवेषांस्त्रीन्वै देवसुतोपमान् । सा तु संशयमापन्ना वीक्ष्य तान्सदृशाकृतीन् ॥ २६ ॥

English Translation

She became doubtful on seeing their equal appearances. The princess, not being able to distinguish her husband, became very anxious and thought :--

Ch 5 Verse 27 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अजानन्ती पतिं सम्यग्व्याकुला समचिन्तयत् । किं करोमि त्रयस्तुल्याः कं वृणोमि न वेद्म्यहम् ॥ २७ ॥

English Translation

:-- “What am I to do now? Whom to choose? They are exactly the same. I cannot distinguish who is my real husband?

Ch 5 Verse 28 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पतिं देवसुता ह्येते संशये पतितास्म्यहम् । इन्द्रजालमिदं सम्यग्देवाभ्यामिह कल्पितम् ॥ २८ ॥

English Translation

This may be the magic set up by the two Aśvins. However, I am put to a great crisis. I won’t ever select another who is not my husband.

Ch 5 Verse 29 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कर्तव्यं किं मया चात्र मरणं समुपागतम् । न मया पतिमुत्सृज्य वरणीयः कथञ्चन ॥ २९ ॥

English Translation

Therefore my death is well nigh; what to do now? The third form seen now may be also a Deva’s son.”

Ch 5 Verse 30 Verse

Sanskrit Text

देवस्त्वाधुनिकः कश्चिदित्येषा मम धारणा । इति सञ्चिन्त्य मनसा परां विश्वेश्वरीं शिवाम् ॥ ३० ॥

English Translation

Thus cogitating, she resolved to meditate on the Highest Prakriti, the Lady of the Universe, the most Auspicious One. Then the thin-bellied princess began to sing the hymns of the Bhagavatī.

Ch 5 Verse 31 Verse

Sanskrit Text

दध्यौ भगवतीं देवीं तुष्टाव च कृशोदरी । सुकन्योवाच - शरणं त्वां जगन्मातः प्राप्तास्मि भृशदुःखिता ॥ ३१ ॥

English Translation

Sukanyā said :-- “O World-Mother! Under most painful circumstances I take refuge unto Thee; preserve my chastity; I bow down to Thy feet.

Ch 5 Verse 32-33 Verse

Sanskrit Text

रक्ष मेऽद्य सतीधर्मं नमामि चरणौ तव । नमः पद्मोद्भवे देवि नमः शङ्करवल्लभे ॥ ३२ ॥ विष्णुप्रिये नमो लक्ष्मि वेदमातः सरस्वति । इदं जगत्त्वया सृष्टं सर्वं स्थावरजङ्गमम् ॥ ३३ ॥

English Translation

O Devī! Salutations to Thee, born of lotus. O Thou, the dear consort of Śaṅkara! Salutations to Thee. O Thou favourite to Viṣṇu, O Mother of the Vedas! O Sarasvatī! Salutations to Thee, Thou hast created the world, moving and unmoving; Thou art preserving it without being least excited; again Thou art swallowing it for the peace and well-being of all.

Ch 5 Verse 34 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पासि त्वमिदमव्यग्रा तथात्सि लोकशान्तये । ब्रह्मविष्णुमहेशानां जननी त्वं सुसम्मता ॥ ३४ ॥

English Translation

What more, Thou art the Most Worshipful Mother of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Maheśa. Thou always illuminest the understanding of the illiterate and Thou always grantest liberation to the Jñānins.

Ch 5 Verse 35-36 Verse

Sanskrit Text

बुद्धिदासि त्वमज्ञानां ज्ञानिनां मोक्षदा सदा । आज्ञा त्वं प्रकृतिः पूर्णा पुरुषप्रियदर्शना ॥ ३५ ॥ भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदासि त्वं प्राणिनां विशदात्मनाम् । अज्ञानां दुःखदा कामं सत्त्वानां सुखसाधना ॥ ३६ ॥

English Translation

Thou art the Prime Prakriti in fullness and the Beloved of the Prime Puruṣa. Thou grantest Bhukti (enjoyment) and Mukti (freedom) to the souls that are cleansed and pure; Thou givest pain to those that are entirely void of knowledge and Thou grantest happiness to those that are endowed with Sattva Guṇa. O Mother! Thou bestowest Siddhi (the success, the eight supernatural powers), fame, and victory to the Yogis!

Ch 5 Verse 37-38 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सिद्धिदा योगिनामम्ब जयदा कीर्तिदा पुनः । शरणं त्वां प्रपन्नास्मि विस्मयं परमं गता ॥ ३७ ॥ पतिं दर्शय मे मातर्मग्नास्मि शोकसागरे । देवाभ्यां चरितं कूटं कं वृणोमि विमोहिता ॥ ३८ ॥

English Translation

Being merged in an ocean of bewilderment, I come now to take refuge unto Thee. O Mother! The two Devas are playing hypocrisy with me; thus puzzled I can’t fix my mind whom to select; therefore I am merged in an ocean of sorrow. Save me by showing my real husband. O Omniscient One! Knowing my vow of chastity dost Thou enlighten me so that I can know my husband.”

Ch 5 Verse 39 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पतिं दर्शय सर्वज्ञे विदित्वा मे सतीव्रतम् । व्यास उवाच - एवं स्तुता तदा देवा तथा त्रिपुरसुन्दरी ॥ ३९ ॥

English Translation

Vyāsa said :-- O King! Thus pleased by the Sukanyā’s prayers, the Devī Tripurā Sundarī then imparted to her the pleasant Sattva Jñān (knowledge pertaining to Sattva Guṇa).

Ch 5 Verse 40 Verse

Sanskrit Text

हृदयेऽस्यास्तदा ज्ञानं ददावाशु सुखोदयम् । निश्चित्य मनसा तुल्यवयोरूपधरान्सती ॥ ४० ॥

English Translation

She then looked again at the three personages, and though they were similar in appearance and beauty, instantly she recognised mentally her husband and chose him.

Ch 5 Verse 41 Verse

Sanskrit Text

प्रसमीक्ष्य तु तान् सर्वान्वव्रे बाला स्वकं पतिम् । वृतेऽथ च्यवने देवौ सन्तुष्टौ तौ बभूवतुः ॥ ४१ ॥

English Translation

When Sukanyā selected the Muni Cyavana, the two Devas became greatly pleased to see that.

Ch 5 Verse 42 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सतीधर्मं समालोक्य सम्प्रीतौ ददतुर्वरम् । भगवत्याः प्रसादेन प्रसन्नौ तौ सुरौत्तमौ ॥ ४२ ॥

English Translation

The two Devas were pleased by the grace of Bhāgavatī; they were further pleased to see the Dharma of chastity and granted her the boon.

Ch 5 Verse 43-45 Verse

Sanskrit Text

मुनिमामन्त्र्य तरसा गमनायोद्यतावुभौ । लब्ध्वा तु च्यवनो रूपं नेत्रे भार्यां च यौवनम् ॥ ४३ ॥ हृष्टोऽब्रवीन्महातेजास्तौ नासत्याविदं वचः । उपकारः कृतोऽयं मे युवाभ्यां सुरसत्तमौ ॥ ४४ ॥ किं ब्रवीमि सुखं प्राप्तं संसारेऽस्मिन्ननुत्तमे । प्राप्य भार्यां सुकेशान्तां दुःखं मेऽभवदन्वहम् ॥ ४५ ॥

English Translation

They then bade good-bye to Cyavana and were ready to start to their own place when Cyavana being very much pleased to get through their grace, his beauty, youth and wife, interrupted them, saying “O high-minded Devas! You have done much good to me. I used to feel pain every day, in spite of my having this wife having good hairs!

Ch 5 Verse 46 Verse

Sanskrit Text

अन्धस्य चातिवृद्धस्य भोगहीनस्य कानने । युवाभ्यां नयने दत्ते यौवनं रूपमद्भुतम् ॥ ४६ ॥

English Translation

But owing to your mercy, I cannot describe how happy I am now in this world of woes and troubles. I was very aged and blind and was without any enjoyment but it is you that coming to this forest have brought to me eyes, youth and exquisite beauty. Therefore, O twin Devas! I desire to do something good to you in return.

Ch 5 Verse 47-48 Verse

Sanskrit Text

सम्पादितं ततं किञ्चिदुपकर्तुमहं ब्रुवे । उपकारिणि मित्रे यो नोपकुर्यात्कथञ्चन ॥ ४७ ॥ तं धिगस्तु नरं देवौ भवेच्च ऋणवान्भुवि । तस्माद्वां वाञ्छितं किञ्चिद्दातुमिच्छामि साम्प्रतम् ॥ ४८ ॥

English Translation

Fie on him, who does not return anything for the good that he has received from a beneficent friend. That man remains indebted for ever in this world; therefore I am desirous to give you two now whatever you want.

Ch 5 Verse 49 Verse

Sanskrit Text

आत्मनो ऋणमोक्षाय देवेशौ नूतनस्य च । प्रार्थितं वां प्रदास्यामि यदलभ्यं सुरासुरैः ॥ ४९ ॥

English Translation

O twin Devas! Even if the Devas or the Asuras find it difficult to attain, I will give that to you to free myself of the debt I owe to you. I am greatly pleased at your good deed; therefore be kind enough to speak out whatever you desire.”

Ch 5 Verse 50-52 Verse

Sanskrit Text

ब्रुवाथां वां मनोद्दिष्टं प्रीतोऽस्मि सुकृतेन वाम् । श्रुत्वा तौ तु मुनेर्वाक्यमभिमन्त्र्य परस्परम् ॥ ५० ॥ तमूचतुर्मुनिश्रेष्ठं सुकन्यासहितं स्थितम् । मुने पितुः प्रसादेन सर्वं नो मनसेप्सितम् ॥ ५१ ॥ उत्कण्ठा सोमपानस्य वर्तते नौ सुरैः सह । भिषजाविति देवेन निषिद्धौ चमसग्रहे ॥ ५२ ॥

English Translation

They began to consult with each other, and spoke to the Muni Cyavana who was seated with Sukanya beside him :-- “O Maharṣi! We have got all our desires by the grace of Father! Still it is difficult for us to drink some libation along with the other Devas and we thirst after that very strongly.

Ch 5 Verse 53 Verse

Sanskrit Text

शक्रेण वितते यज्ञे ब्रह्मणः कनकाचले । तस्मात्त्वमपि धर्मज्ञ यदि शक्तोऽसि तापस ॥ ५३ ॥

English Translation

At the great sacrifice of Brahmā in the Golden Mountain (Kanakācala), Indra, the King of the Devas, ordered us not to drink Soma, as we were physicians.

Ch 5 Verse 54 Verse

Sanskrit Text

कार्यमेतद्धि कर्तव्यं वाञ्छितं नौ सुसम्मतम् । एतद्विज्ञाय वा ब्रह्मन्कुरु वां सोमपायिनौ ॥ ५४ ॥

English Translation

Therefore, O Knower of Dharma! O Ascetic! You will certainly do us a great favour if you can make us drink the Soma juice; we would be very glad and have our desires satisfied.”

Ch 5 Verse 55 Verse

Sanskrit Text

पिपासास्ति सुदुष्प्रापपा त्वत्तः समुपयास्यति । च्यवनस्तु तयोः प्राह तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं मृदु ॥ ५५ ॥

English Translation

Thus hearing the words of the Aśvins, Maharṣi Cyavana gladly spoke to them the following gentle words,

Ch 5 Verse 56 Verse

Sanskrit Text

यदहं रूपसम्पन्नो वयसा च समन्वितः । कृतो भवद्भ्यां वृद्धः सन्भार्यां च प्राप्तवानिति ॥ ५६ ॥

English Translation

O Twin Devas! I was blind and aged; but now I am become a young and beautiful man, and it is by your grace that I have got back my wife.

Ch 5 Verse 57 Verse

Sanskrit Text

तस्माद्युवां करिष्यामि प्रीत्याहं सोमपायिनौ । मिषतो देवराजस्य सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीम्यहम् ॥ ५७ ॥

English Translation

Therefore I speak this truly before you that at the great sacrifice of the lustrous King Śaryāti, I will gladly make you drink the Soma in the presence of Indra, the King of the Devas.

Ch 5 Verse 58-59 Verse

Sanskrit Text

राज्ञस्तु वितते यज्ञे शर्यातेरमितद्युतेः । इत्याकर्ण्य वचो हृष्टौ तौ दिवं प्रतिजग्मतुः ॥ ५८ ॥ च्यवनस्तां गृहीत्वा तु जगामाश्रममण्डलम् ॥ ५९ ॥

Sanskrit Colophon

इति श्रीमद्देवीभागवते महापुराणेऽष्टादशसाहस्र्यां संहितायां सप्तमस्कन्धे अश्विभ्यां च्यवनद्वारा सोमपानाय प्रतिज्ञावर्णनं नाम पञ्चमोऽध्यायः ॥ ७.५॥

English Translation

Hearing these words of the Muni, the twin Aśvins were greatly pleased and went back to the world of the Devas. And the Muni Cyavana, too, returned to his own Aśrama with his wife Sukanyā. Here ends the Fifth Chapter of the Seventh Book on the getting of youth by Cyavana Muni in Śrī Mad Devī Bhāgavatam the Mahā Purāṇam of 18,000 verses, by Maharṣi Veda Vyāsa.