Savitri!
The oldest known version of the story Savitri and Satyavan is found in Vana Parva (The Book of the Forest) of the Mahabharata. This story occurs as multiple embedded narratives in the Mahabharata. When Yudishtara asks Markandeya whether there has ever been a woman whose devotion matched Draupadi's, Markandeya replies by relating this story.
Savitri, a princess was the only child for her father. She fell in love with Satyavan, a prince whose father had been driven out of his kingdom by his enemies, and so lived in abject poverty in the forest. Her father opposed this marriage not only because Satyavan was poor but also because Satyavan was destined to die within a year of marriage. Savitri followed her heart nevertheless.
At the appointed hour, Yama hurled his nose and took Satyavan's life out of his body. Savitri followed him, "Go back and cremate his body", he advised her. She refused to do so and kept following him to the land of the dead. Exasperated, He offered her three booons so that she would go away,"Anything except the life of your husband." Savitri first asked that her father get a son to the heir. Then she asked that her father-in-law regains his kingship. And finally she asked she be the mother of Satyavan's sons."So be it.", said Yama and continued on his journey to the land of the dead.
After sometime he noticed that Savitri was still following him. "You gave me your word that you would return to the land of living", he said. "You give me no choice". You said I would be the mother of Satyavan's children. How can a dead body make me a mother? I must therefore follow Satyavan's jiva- atma into the land of the dead. Yama realised that he had been outwitted.
As custodian of the laws of Karma, his boons had to be realised. The only way for Savitri to bear Satyavan'children was to make Satyavan alive again. And that was done. [Mahabharata]
The oldest known version of the story Savitri and Satyavan is found in Vana Parva (The Book of the Forest) of the Mahabharata. This story occurs as multiple embedded narratives in the Mahabharata. When Yudishtara asks Markandeya whether there has ever been a woman whose devotion matched Draupadi's, Markandeya replies by relating this story.
Savitri, a princess was the only child for her father. She fell in love with Satyavan, a prince whose father had been driven out of his kingdom by his enemies, and so lived in abject poverty in the forest. Her father opposed this marriage not only because Satyavan was poor but also because Satyavan was destined to die within a year of marriage. Savitri followed her heart nevertheless.
At the appointed hour, Yama hurled his nose and took Satyavan's life out of his body. Savitri followed him, "Go back and cremate his body", he advised her. She refused to do so and kept following him to the land of the dead. Exasperated, He offered her three booons so that she would go away,"Anything except the life of your husband." Savitri first asked that her father get a son to the heir. Then she asked that her father-in-law regains his kingship. And finally she asked she be the mother of Satyavan's sons."So be it.", said Yama and continued on his journey to the land of the dead.
After sometime he noticed that Savitri was still following him. "You gave me your word that you would return to the land of living", he said. "You give me no choice". You said I would be the mother of Satyavan's children. How can a dead body make me a mother? I must therefore follow Satyavan's jiva- atma into the land of the dead. Yama realised that he had been outwitted.
As custodian of the laws of Karma, his boons had to be realised. The only way for Savitri to bear Satyavan'children was to make Satyavan alive again. And that was done. [Mahabharata]
Beautifully portrayed the love of Savitri for her husband. Good work.
ReplyDeleteYeah I admit I agree with that
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful story to show the extent of how one would go for their loved ones and how smartly she changed the situation to her advantage.
ReplyDelete