Princess Savitri was the only child of King Ashvapati. It was unknown whether she was more beautiful or smarter. Once she went on an excursion to the forest with her attendants. In the forest, she met a woodcutter whose beauty captivated her; and somehow she knew that he was not a woodcutter by birth. Inquiring discreetly, she found out that his name was Satyavan (the one who always speaks satyu, truth) and that he was a prince by birth, but he had been banished from the kingdom by his deceitful relative, the blind king. Satyavan lived in the forest with his parents and supported them by selling wood.
All of this was enough for Savitri to fall in love with Satyavan and choose him as her husband because her parents had given her the freedom of choice.
When Savitri announced to her parents that her choice was Satyavan, her father was initially shocked. He then called upon the great sage Narada to advise them. Narada confirmed everything Savitri had told about Satyavan’s character and fate, but wondered if she knew one very important fact about the young prince. However, without that information… As Savitri intercepted him with a question:
– Respected sage, is it true that Satyavan is destined to die today after twelve months?
– It is true – Narada replied. – Do you still wish to marry him? Are you not afraid of becoming a widow?
– I am not afraid – the girl replied. – I still want to marry him.
Although her courage impressed her father, he tried to dissuade her from her decision. But Savitri stated that her husband would be either Satyavan, or no one.
– The stars are cruelly clear – added Narada. But the young princess said:
– I firmly believe that life and death are determined by something far greater than the positions of the stars interpreted by astrologers. I believe that my fate will influence and change his – truly, no one knows what may happen!
At that moment, the sage Narada blessed her, saying:
– My prayers are with you, Savitri. May your courage and love protect Satyavan from the foreseen death.
And so Savitri embarked on her journey. And she moved from her parents’ royal court to her husband’s cottage. With great dedication, she served her blind father-in-law, taking over the household chores from her mother-in-law, who had always been surrounded by servants and companions. She was happy and cheerful, but sometimes the household members would find her lost in thought, almost worried. These were moments when she felt that time was passing too quickly.
However, she did not tell anyone about the prophecy. She prayed for Satyavan to be spared from the cruel fate.
The end of the year was approaching. Inevitably, the day of the foreseen death dawned. Savitri prayed and kept vigil that night. She asked her husband to take her with him to the forest when he went to fetch wood. Satyavan wanted to spare Savitri the effort, especially since she was exhausted from staying awake; he stated that he would take her with him if his parents approved. At first, the father-in-law and mother-in-law objected, fearing that the forest was not the most suitable place for a young woman. However, when Savitri asked her father-in-law to exceptionally allow her that day, Setting off, the blind king said:
“Since you came to our hut, not a day or an hour has passed when you haven’t fulfilled my every smallest desire. How can I not fulfill yours, just one?”
And so Savitri set off with Satyavan into the depths of the forest. The day was so ordinary – equally bright as all the previous happy days, with birds singing joyfully, wind rustling, and waters murmuring. Savitri prayed in her soul, knowing that today all her courage and discipline would be needed.
When Satyavan found a tree to chop down, Savitri sat nearby, watching for any poisonous snakes that might come crawling. But none were to be seen.
Then, in a sudden moment, Satyavan dropped his axe and staggered towards his wife.
“I don’t know what’s happening to me,” he murmured. “The darkness is closing in on me.”
And he slumped his head into Savitri’s lap. Savitri embraced his head with her hands and looked around for help. But there was no one in sight. She was taken aback by the suddenness of the event – Satyavan had fainted. She felt a sense of dread, weakened, and sensed her slipping away from her.
Suddenly Savitri saw a tall, fearsome figure in a black cloak, lined with fire. She knew it was Yama, the god of death. His immense dark shadow fell upon her. He reached out, placed his hand on Satyavan’s throat, and drew out Satyavan’s soul through it. He ensnared the soul and silently headed south.
Savitri ran after the dark figure.
“Wait!” she cried. “I would like a word or two with you!”
The dark figure stopped. Savitri dared to look him in the eyes. She saw a sublime, serene, compassionate expression on the god’s face. And all her fears vanished.
“Forgive me,” she said. “Are you the god of death?”
“I am,” Yama replied.
“Accept my reverent greetings. Tell me, do you always come personally to take souls with you?”
“No. I only come when it concerns special souls.”
“Oh, if my husband is such a special soul deserving of that honor, why don’t you let him live? He is so young and.” So pure. He harmed no one.
– Know, death is not a punishment.
– If death is not a punishment, why do we celebrate birth?
– Savitri, it is not easy to understand these things. Go back, do not follow me, this is neither the path nor the direction for the living.
– Sir, I am not following you. I am following my husband.
– He is no longer your husband.
– I believe that love extends beyond death. When we love each other, we recognize each other. And we recognize only those whom we already know. Satyavan and I were husband and wife in many past lives. We knew each other before our current birth. We have been together for too long, and I cannot leave him now. If you have to take him, then take me too.
Yama was touched by Savitri’s reasoning. And so he said to her:
– I will grant you one wish, whatever you wish, except for one thing – and that is Satyavan’s life.
Savitri thought about it, and she asked for her husband’s kingdom to be returned to his parents. Yama said he would grant her wish, but that she would have to part with him. To leave.
He ventured further south carrying Satyavan’s soul. After a while, he stopped, turned around, and saw Savitri following him, bleeding from her feet on the thorns and rocks.
– Return, child, and prepare the last rites for the burial – Yama advised her. – No mortal should step further.
But Savitri once again managed to delight and move the fearsome god with her words. He offered her the fulfillment of one more wish. Savitri then asked for her father-in-law, the king, to regain his sight.
– It is restored – replied the god.
Now Savitri began to discuss the duties of a king towards the people.
– Kings are obligated to take care of their people, they must bring progress and happiness to them. But to achieve this goal, there needs to be an unbroken chain of royal lineage. And what will happen, O Lord, to our two nations if both thrones remain without heirs – my father’s kingdom and my father-in-law’s kingdom? There will be chaos, conflicts among the royal families. Rising to the occasion, disaster loomed over the entire land. I can already hear the cries of women and the weeping of children…
– Stop! – shouted Yama. – That will not happen, I promise you! Since you are the sole heiress of both kingdoms, I promise you that you will have a hundred sons.
– Savitri had been waiting for just that. She stood in front of the fearsome god in all her royal beauty.
– Now you must break the promise of irreversible death. You have blessed me with a hundred sons. How can I bear them without a husband?
The god’s face was covered in light.
– You are brave, Savitri – he said. – But I do not grant Satyavan’s life to you just because you are brave. You are wise, Savitri. But I do not grant you Satyavan’s life just because you are wise. For there is something stronger than death. It is love.
From the Mahabharata
Selected by: Vesna Bosnar[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]