Page:The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa (1884).djvu/255

Rh thou alone hast knowledge of thy deed. But knowest thou not that the ancient omniscient one (Narayana) lieth in thy heart? He knoweth all thy sins, and thou sinnest in his presence. He that sins thinks that none observeth him. But he is observed by the gods and by him also who occupieth every heart. The Sun, the Moon, the Air, Fire, Earth, Sky, Water, the heart, Yama, the day, the night, both twilights, and Dharma, all witness the acts of man. Yama, the son of Surya, taketh no account of his sins with whom Narayana the witness of all acts is gratified. But he with whom Narayana is not gratified is tortured for his sins by Yama. Him who degradeth himself by representing his self falsely, the gods never bless. Even his own soul doth not bless him. I am a wife devoted to my husband. I have com of my own accord, it is true. But do not, on that account, treat me with disrespect. I am thy wife and therefore deserve to be treated respectfully. Wilt thou not treat me so because I have come hither of my own accord? In the presence of so many, why dost thou treat me like an ordinary woman? I am not certainly crying in the wilderness. Dost thou not hear me? But if thou refusest to do what I supplicate thee for, O Dushmanta, thy head this moment shall burst in hundred pieces. The husband entering the womb of the wife cometh out himself in the form of the son. Therefore is the wife called by those cognisant with the Veda as Jāyā (she in whom one is born.) And the son that is so born unto persons cognisant of the Vedic Mantras rescueth the spirits of deceased ancestors. And because the son rescueth ancestors from the hell call Put, therefore hath he been called by the self-create himself Puttra (the rescuer from Put.) By a son one conquered the three worlds. By a son's son, one enjoyeth eternity. And by a grand-son's son great-grand-fathers enjoy everlasting happiness. She is a true wife who is skilful in house-hold affairs. She is a true wife who hath borne a son. She is a true wife whose heart is devoted to her lord. She is a true wife who knoweth none but her lord. The wife is a man's half. The wife is the first of friends. The wife is the root of Dharma, Artha, and Kama. The wife is the root of salvation. They that have wives can