Simhasanadvatrimshika 30.p3

30.p3

tathā ca smṛṭiḥ:

The wife who enters into the fire when her husband dies, imitating Arundhatī [a star, regarded as the wife of one of the ‘Seven Rishis’ (the Dipper), and as a typical faithful spouse] in her behavior, enjoys bliss in heaven. 3. Until a wife burns herself in the fire after the death of her husband, so long that woman can in no way be (permanently) freed from the body. 4. A woman who follows after her husband shall surely purify three families: her mother’s, her father’s, and that into which she was given (in marriage). And so: 5. Three and a half crores [a crore is 10,000,000] is the number of the hairs on the human body; so many years shall a wife who follows her husband dwell in heaven. 6. As a snake-charmer powerfully draws a snake out of a hole, so a wife draws her husband upward (by burning herself) and enjoys bliss with him. 7. A wife who abides by the law of righteousness (in burning herself) saves her husband, whether he be good or wicked; yes, even if he be guilty of all crimes. Furthermore, O king, a woman who is bereft of her husband has no use for her life. And it is said: 8. What profit is there in the life of a wretched woman who has lost her husband? Her body is as useless as a banyan tree [? a cake ?] in a cemetery. 9. Surely father, brother, and son measure their gifts; what woman would not honor her husband, who gives without measure? Moreover: 10.