युधिष्ठिर उवाच नात्मानमनुशोचामि नेमान् भ्रातृन् महामुने। हरणं चापि राज्यस्य यथेमां दुपदात्मजाम्॥
Yudhishthira said : O great sage, I do not grieve so much for myself or for these my brothers or for the loss of my kingdom as (I do) for this daughter of Drupada.
द्यूते दुरात्मभिः क्लिष्टा: कृष्णया तारिता वयम्। जयद्रथेन च पुनर्वनाच्चापि हृता बलात्॥
When the wicked-souled (sons of Dhritarashtra) gave us pain at the game of dice we were delivered by Krishna. (But) Jayadratha forcibly carried her off even from the forest.
अस्ति सीमन्तिनी काचिद् दृष्टपूर्वापि वा श्रुता। पतिव्रता महाभागा यथेयं दुपदात्मजा॥
Have you ever seen or heard of a lady as highly fortunate and as devoted to her husband as the daughter of Dripada?
मार्कण्डेय उवाच शृणु राजन् कुलस्त्रीणां महाभाग्यं युधिष्ठिर। सर्वमेतद् यथा प्राप्तं सावित्र्या राजकन्यया।॥
Markandeya said : Hear, O king Yudhishthira, how the princess Savitri attained to all the high virtues of chaste ladies.
आसीन्मनेषु धर्मात्मा राजा परमधार्मिकः। ब्रह्मण्यश्च महात्मा च सत्यसंधो जितेन्द्रियः॥
Among the Madra there was a pious, exceedingly virtuous and a high-souled king devoted to the ministrations of the Brahmanas, firm in promise and of subdued passions.
यज्वा दानपतिर्दक्षः पौरजानपदप्रियः। पार्थिवोऽश्वपति म सर्वभूतहिते रतः॥
This king, who was called Ashvapati was ever engaged in sacrifices, the foremost of the benevolent able loved by the people of the cities and provinces and was devoted to the welfare of all creatures.
क्षमावाननपत्यश्च सत्यवान् विजितेन्द्रियः। अतिक्रान्तेन वयसा संतापमुपजग्मिवान्॥
But that truthful and self-controlled monarch having no offspring, was much pained when he was far advanced in years.
अपत्योत्पादनार्थं च तीव्र नियममास्थितः। काले परिमिताहारो ब्रह्मचारी जितेन्द्रियः॥
And in order to be blessed with children, he observed rigid vows, partook of moderate food at the proper time, led the Brahmacharya (mode of) life and subdued his passions.
हुत्वा शतसहस्रं स सावित्र्या राजसत्तमः। षष्ठे षष्ठे तदा काले बभूव मितभोजनः॥
That most exalted of kings (daily) offered ten thousand oblations to Savitri and partook of a moderate food at the sixth portion of the day.
एतेन नियमेनासीद् वर्षाण्यष्टादशैव तु। पूर्णे त्वष्टादशे वर्षे सावित्री तुष्टिमभ्यगात्॥
He observed (all) these vows for eighteen years and when the eighteenth year was complete, Savitri was pleased with him.
रूपिणी तु तदा राजन् दर्शयामास तं नृपम्। अग्निहोत्रात् समुत्थाय हर्षेण महतान्विता। उवाच चैनं वरदा वचनं पार्थिवं तदा॥
And O monarch, rising from the sacrificial fire with great delight, she appeared before the king and desirous of conferring boons addressed the monarch thus,
सावित्र्युवाच ब्रह्मचर्येण शुद्धेन दमेन नियमेन च। सर्वात्मना च भक्त्या च तुष्टास्मि तव पार्थिव॥
Savitri said: "O king, I have been pleased with your Brahmacharya life, purity, self-control, observance of vows and all your endeavours and devotion.
वरं वृणीष्वाश्वपते मद्रराज यदीप्सितम्। न प्रमादश्च धर्मेषु कर्तव्यस्ते कथञ्चन॥
O Ashvapati, O king of Madra, ask for whatever boon you desire. You should, however by no means disrespect virtue.
अश्वपतिरुवाच अपत्यार्थः समारम्भः कृतो धर्मेप्सया मया। पुत्रा मे बहवो देवि भवेयुः कुलभावनाः॥
Ashvapati said : Desirous of attaining virtue, I have observed all these vows so that I may have children. O goddess, many numerous sons, woryour of my race, be born to me.
तुष्टासि यदि मे देवि वरमेतं वृणोम्यहम्। संतानं परमो धर्म इत्याहुर्मां द्विजातयः॥
O goddess, if you are pleased with me, then I pray for this boon. The Brahmanas have told me that one attains to the crowning merit by having children.
सावित्र्युवाच पूर्वमेव मया राजन्नभिप्रायमिमं तव। ज्ञात्वा पुत्रार्थमुक्तो वै भगवांस्ते पितामहः॥
Savitri said : Aware of your intentions before hand, I spoke about your sons to the divine Grandsire (Brahma).
प्रसादाच्चैव तस्मात् ते स्वयम्भुविहिताद् भुवि। कन्या तेजस्विनी सौम्य क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति॥
O virtuous one, you will, through the grace of that self-existent lord, have soon a highlyenergetic daughter on earth.
उत्तरं च न ते किंचिद् व्याहर्तव्यं कथञ्चन। पितामहनिसर्गेण तुष्टा ह्येतद् ब्रवीमि ते॥
I gladly tell you all this at the command of the Grandsire; you need not, therefore, make any reply.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय सावित्र्या वचनं नृपः। प्रसादयामास पुनः क्षिप्रमेतद् भविष्यति॥
Markandeya said : The king then bowing assent to the words of Savitri and saying "be it so," pleased her again and said "may this soon happen."
अन्तर्हितायां सावित्र्यां जगाम स्वपुरं नृपः। स्वराज्ये चावसद् वीरः प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन्॥
When Savitri had disappeared the king entered his own city. And that hero began to dwell in his kingdom and govern his subjects righteously.
कस्मिंश्चित् तु गते काले स राजा नियतव्रतः। ज्येष्ठायां धर्मचारिण्यां महिष्यां गर्भमादधे॥
Some time having elapsed that king observant of vows, begot offspring in the womb of his eldest queen devoted to religion.
राजपुत्र्यास्तु गर्भः स मालव्या भरतर्षभ। व्यवर्धत तदा शुक्ले तारापतिरिवाम्बरे॥
O best of the Bharata, the embryo in the womb of the princess Malavi began to increase like the lord of the stars in heaven, during the lighted fortnight.
प्राप्ते काले तु सुषुवे कन्यां राजीवलोचनाम्। क्रियाश्च तस्या मुदितश्चक्रे च नृपसत्तमः॥
And at the proper time she gave birth to a daughter with eyes resembling lotus. And that best of kings gladly performed her natal rites.
सावित्र्या प्रीतया दत्ता सावित्र्या हुत्या ह्यपि। सावित्रीत्येव नामास्याश्चक्रुर्विप्रास्तथा पिता॥
And as Savitri gladly gave (him) that daughter on account of the king (daily) offering her oblations, both her father and the Brahmanas named her Savitri.
सा विग्रहवतीव श्रीळवर्धत नृपात्मजा। कालेन चापि सा कन्या यौवनस्था बभूव ह॥
The king's daughter (gradually) grew up like the very embodiment of Sri (Lakshmi). And that damsel, in time stepped into youth.
तां सुमध्यां पृथुश्रोणी प्रतिमां काञ्चनीमिव। प्राप्तेयं देवकन्येति दृष्ट्वा सम्मेनिरे जनाः॥
Seeing that slender-waisted damsel of robust hips and looking like a golden image, people thought "we have got a goddess."
तां तु पद्मपलाशाक्षीं ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा। न कश्चिद् वरयामास तेजसा प्रतिवारितः॥
And oppressed by her, energy none could marry that girl of lotus-like eyes who seemed as if blazing in splendour.
अथोपोष्य शिर:स्नाता देवतामभिगम्य सा। हुत्वाग्नि विधिवद् विप्रान् वाचयामास पर्वणि॥
Then on a Parva day, Savitri, observing fasts, bathing her head and approaching the family deity caused the Brahmanas to offer oblations to the sacrificial fire in accordance with due rites.
ततः सुमनसः शेषाः प्रतिगृह्य महात्मनः। पितुः समीपमगमद् देवी श्रीरिव रूपिणी॥
Then taking the flowers and garlands with which she worshipped the deity, Savitri looking like the very embodiment of Sri, repaired to her high-souled sire.
साभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ शेषाः पूर्वं निवेद्य च। कृताञ्जलिर्वरारोहा नृपतेः पार्श्वमास्थिता।॥
And bowing down to the feet of her father and offering him those flowers and garlands, that highly beautiful damsel with joined-hands stood beside the king.
यौवनस्थां तां दृष्ट्वा स्वां सुतां देवरूपिणीम्। अयाच्यमानां च वरैर्नृपतिर्दुःखितोऽभवत्॥
Seeing that his daughter (beautiful), as a goddess, attained her puberty and was not courted by suitors, the king became sorry.
तु राजोवाच पुत्रि प्रदानकालस्ते न च कश्चिद् वृणोति माम्। स्वयमन्विच्छ भर्तारं गुणैः सदृशमात्मनः॥
The king said: Daughter, the time for giving you away is arrived. (But) none asks me (for your hand). Do you, (therefore) seek for a husband as qualified as you.
प्रार्थितः पुरुषो यश्च स निवेद्यस्त्वया मम। विमृश्याहं प्रदास्यामि वरय त्वं यथेप्सितम्॥
Speak of that person, to me, whom you desire (for your husband). Choose, whom you like, for your husband. I will (afterwards) on (due) deliberation give you away (to him).
श्रुतं हि धर्मशास्त्रेषु पठ्यमानं द्विजातिभिः। तथा त्वमपि कल्याणि गदतो मे वचः शृणु॥
Hear, O auspicious girl, as I tell you the words, which I have heard the twice-born ones to recite from the sacred books.
अप्रदाता पिता वाच्यो वाच्यश्चानुपयन् पतिः। मृते भर्तरि पुत्रश्च वाच्यो मातुररक्षिता॥
That father who does not give away his daughter in marriage, is blamed. That husband who does not enjoy his wife during her courses is also blamed. And that son, who does not maintain his mother in her widowhood, meets with disgrace.
इदं मे वचनं श्रुत्वा भर्तुरन्वेषणो त्वर। देवतानां यथा वाच्यो न भवेयं तथा कुरु॥
Hearing these my words do you speedily go in search of a husband. Act in such a way that we may not be blamed by the gods.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा दुहितरं तथा वृद्धांश्च मन्त्रिणः। व्यादिदेशानुयात्रं च गम्यतां चेत्यचोदयत्॥
Markandeya said : Addressing thus his daughter and his old ministers, (the king) gave orders to make preparations (for their departure) and said "go".
साभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ वीडितेव मनस्विनी। पितुर्वचनमाज्ञाय निर्जगामाविचारितम्॥
(Thereupon), she, (gentle and meek) as a fernale ascetic, bashfully bowing down to the feet of her father, set out without hesitation, in obedience to the commands of her sire.
सा हैमं रथमास्थाय स्थविरैः सचिवैर्वृता। तपोवनानि रम्याणि राजर्षीणां जगाम ह॥
Seated on a car of gold and surrounded by the ministers, she visited the delightful hermitage of the royal sages.
मान्यानां तत्र वृद्धानां कृत्वा पादाभिवादनम्। वनानि क्रमशस्तात सर्वाण्येवाभ्यगच्छत॥
O son, there bowing down to the feet of the elders and the revered, she visited all the forests one after the other.
एवं तीर्थेषु सर्वेषु धनोत्सर्गं नृपात्मजा। कुर्वती द्विजमुख्यानां तं तं देशं जगाम ह॥
Thus giving away riches in all the Tirthas, the king's daughter travelled over all those places inhabited by the foremost of the twiceborn ones.