---
type: article
status: Published
slug: "savitri"
title: "Savitri and Satyavan"
author: "Vyāsa (attributed)"
tradition: "hindu"
language: "sa"
genre: "epic episode"
period: "c. 4th c. BCE–4th c. CE"
source_url: "https://sa.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-03-%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-293&oldid=51949"
certainty: observed
source: "https://sa.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-03-%E0%A4%86%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-293&oldid=51949"
unknowns: none known
---
# Savitri and Satyavan

## Original

### Chapter 1 (Mahābhārata 3.293)

293.1 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
एवमेतन्महाबाहो रामेणामिततेजसा।
प्राप्तं व्यसनमत्युग्रं वनवासकृतं पुरा ।।

293.2 मा शुचः परुषव्याघ्र क्षत्रियोसि परंतप।
बाहुवीर्याश्रयेमार्गे वर्तसे दीप्तनिर्णये ।।

293.3 न हि ते वृजिनं किंचिद्दृश्यते परमण्वपि।
अस्मिन्मार्गे निपीदेयुः सेन्द्रा अपि सुरासुराः ।।

293.4 संहत्य निहतोवृत्रो मरुद्भिर्वज्रपाणिना।
नमुचिश्चैवदुर्धर्षो दीर्गजिह्वा चराक्षसी ।।

293.5 सहायवति सर्वार्थाः सतिष्ठन्तीह सर्वशः।
किंनु तस्याजितं सङ्ख्ये यस् भ्राता धनंजयः ।।

293.6 अयं च बलिनांश्रेष्ठो भीमो भीमपराक्रमाः।
युवानौ च महेष्वासौ वीरौ माद्रवतीसुतौ ।।

293.7 एभिः सहायैः कस्मात्त्वं विषीदसि परंतप।
य इमे वज्रिणः सेनां जयेयुः समरुद्गणाम् ।।

293.8 त्वमप्येभिर्महेष्वासैः सहायैर्देवरूपिभिः।
विजेष्यसि रणे सर्वानमित्रान्भरतर्षभ ।।

293.9 इतश्च त्वमिमां पश्यसैन्धवेन दुरात्मना।
बलिना वीर्यमत्तेन हृतामेभिर्महात्मभिः ।।

293.10 आनीतां द्रौपदीं कृष्णां कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम्।
जयद्रथं च राजानं विजितं वशमागतम् ।।

293.11 असहायेन रामेण वैदेही पुनराहृता।
हत्वासङ्ख्ये दशग्रीवं राक्षसं भीमविक्रमम् ।।

293.12 यस् शाखामृगामित्राण्यृक्षाः कालमुखास्तथा।
जात्यन्तरगता राजन्नेतद्बुद्ध्याऽनुचिन्तय ।।

293.13 तस्मात्सर्वं कुरुश्रेष्ठ मा शुचो भरतर्षभ।
त्वद्विधा हि महात्मानो न शोचन्ति परंतप ।।

293.14 वैशंपायन उवाच।
एवमाश्वासितो राजामार्कण्डेयेन धीमता।
त्यक्त्वा दुःखमदीनात्मा पुनरप्येनमब्रवीत् ।।

### Chapter 2 (Mahābhārata 3.294)

294.1 युधिष्ठिर उवाच।
नात्मानमनुशोचामि नेमान्भ्रातॄन्महामुने।
हरणं चापि राज्यस् यथेमां द्रुपदात्मजाम् ।।

294.2 द्यूते दुरात्मभिः क्लिष्टाः कृष्णया तारिता वयम्।
जयद्रथेन चपुनर्वनाच्चापि हृता बलात् ।।

294.3 अस्ति सीमन्तिनी काचिद्दृष्टपूर्वाऽपिवा श्रुता।
पतिव्रता महाभागा यथेयं द्रुपदात्मजा ।।

294.4 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
शृणु राजन्कुलस्त्रीणां महाभाग्यं युधिष्ठिर।
सर्वमेतद्यथाप्राप्तं सावित्र्या राजकन्यया ।।

294.5 आसीन्मद्रेषु धर्मात्मा राजा परमधार्मिकः।
ब्रह्मण्यश्चमहात्मा च सत्यसन्धो जितेन्द्रियः ।।

294.6 यज्वा दानपतिर्दक्षः पौरजानपदप्रियः।
पार्थिवोऽश्वपतिर्नाम सर्वभूतहिते रतः ।।

294.7 क्षमावाननपत्यश्च सत्यवाग्विजितेन्द्रियः।
अतिक्रान्तेन वयसा संतापमुपजग्मिवान् ।।

294.8 अपत्योत्पादनार्थं च तीव्रं नियममास्थितः।
काले परिमिताहारो ब्रहमचारी जितेन्द्रियः ।।

294.9 हुत्वा शतसहस्रं स सावित्र्या राजसत्तम।
षष्ठेषष्ठे तदाकाले बभूव मितमोजनः ।।

294.10 एतेन नियमेनासीद्वर्षाण्यष्टादशैव तु।
पूर्णे त्वष्टादशे वर्षे सावित्री तुष्टिमभ्यगात् ।।

294.11 रूपिणी तु तदा राजन्दर्शयामास तं नृपम्।
अग्निहोत्रात्समुत्थाय हर्षेण महताऽन्विता ।।

294.12 उवाच चैनं वरदा वचनं पार्थिवं तदा।
सा तमश्वपतिं राजन्सावित्री नियमे स्थितम् ।।

294.13 ब्रह्मचर्येण शुद्धेन दमेन नियमेन रच।
सर्वात्मना च भक्त्या च तुष्टाऽस्मि तव पार्थिवाः ।।

294.14 वरं वृणीष्वाश्वपते मद्रराज यदीप्सितम्।
न प्रामादश्च धर्मेषु कर्तव्यस्ते कथंचन ।।

294.15 अश्वपतिरुवाच।
अपत्यार्थः समारम्भः कृतो धर्मेप्सया मया।
पुत्रा मे बहवो देवि भवेयुः कुलभावनाः ।।

294.16 तुष्टाऽसि यदि मे देवि वरमेतं वृणोम्यहम्।
संतां परमो धर्म इत्याहुर्मां द्विजातयः ।।

294.17 सावित्र्युवाच।
पूर्वमेव मया राजन्नभिप्रायमिमं तव।
ज्ञात्वा पुत्रार्थमुक्तो वै भगवांस्ते पितामहः ।।

294.18 प्रसादाच्चैव तस्मात्ते स्वयं विहितवत्यहम्।
कन्या तेजस्विनी सौम्य क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति ।।

294.19 उत्तरं च न ते किंचिद्व्याहर्तव्यं कथंचन।
पितामहनियोगेन तुष्टा ह्येतद्ब्रवीमि ते ।।

294.20 स तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय सावित्र्या वचनं नृपः।
प्रसादयामास पुनः क्षिप्रमेतद्भविष्यति ।।

294.21 अन्तर्हितायां सावित्र्यां जगाम स्वपुरं नृपः।
स्वराज्ये चावसद्बीरः प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन् ।।

294.22 कस्मिंश्चित्तु गते काले स राजा नियतब्रतः।
ज्येष्ठायां धर्मचारिण्यां महिष्यां कगर्भमादधे ।।

294.23 राजपुत्र्यास्तु गर्भः स मानव्या भरतर्षभ।
व्यर्धतं तदा शुक्ले तारापतिरिवाम्बरे ।।

294.24 प्राप्ते काले तु सुषुवे कन्यां राजीवलोचनाम्।
क्रियाश्च तस्या मुदितश्चक्रे च नृपसत्तमः ।।

294.25 सावित्र्या प्रीतया दत्ता साव्त्र्या द्दुतया ह्यपि।
सावित्रीत्येव नामास्याश्चक्रुर्विप्रास्तथा पिता ।।

294.26 सा विग्रहवतीव श्रीव्यवर्धत नृपात्मजा।
कालेन चापि सा कन्या यौवनस्ता बभूव ह ।।

294.27 तां सुमध्यां पृथुश्रोणीं प्रतिमां काञ्चनीमिव।
प्राप्तेयं रदेवकन्येति दृष्ट्वा संमेनिरे जनाः ।।

294.28 तां तु पद्मपलाशाक्षीं ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा।
न कश्चिद्वरयामास तेजसा प्रतिवारितः ।।

294.29 अथोपोष्य शिरःस्नाता देवतामभिगम्य सा।
हुत्वाग्निं विधिवद्विप्रान्वाचयामास पर्वणि ।।

294.30 ततः सुमनसः शेषाः प्रतिगृह्य महात्मनः।
पितुः समीपमगमद्देवी श्रीरिव रूपिणी ।।

294.31 साऽभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ शेषाः पूर्वं निवेद्य च।
कृताञ्जलिर्वरारोहा नृपतेः पार्श्वमास्थिता ।।

294.32 यौवनस्थां तु तां दृष्ट्वा स्वां सुतां देवरूपिणीम्।
अयाच्यमानां च वरैर्नृपतिर्दुःखितोऽभवत् ।।

294.33 राजोवाच।
पुत्रि प्रदानकालस्ते न च कश्चिद्वृणोति माम्।
स्वयमन्विच्छ भर्तारं गुणैः सदृशमात्मनः ।।

294.34 प्रार्थितः पुरुषो यश्च स निवेद्यस्त्वया मम।
विमृश्याहं प्रदास्यामि वरय त्वं यथेप्सितम् ।।

294.35 श्रुतं हि धर्मशास्त्रेषु पठ्यमानं द्विजातिभिः।
तथा त्वमपिकल्याणि गदतो मे वचः शृणु ।।

294.36 अप्रदाता पिता वाच्यो वाच्यश्चानुपयन्पतिः।
मृते पितरि पुत्रश्च वाच्यो मातुररक्षिता ।।

294.37 इदं मे वचनं क्षुत्वा भर्तुरन्वेषणे न्वर।
देवतानां यथा याच्यो न भवेयं तथा कुरु ।।

294.38 एवमुक्त्वा दुहितरं तथा वृद्धांश्च मन्त्रिणः।
व्यादिदेशानुयात्रं च गम्यतां चेत्यचोदयत् ।।

294.39 साऽभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ व्रीडितेव मनस्विनी।
पितुर्वचनमाज्ञाय निर्जगामाविचारितम् ।।

294.40 सा हैमं रथमास्थाय स्थविरैः सचिवैर्वृता।
तपोवनानिरम्याणि राजर्षीणां जगाम ह ।।

294.41 मान्यानां तत्र वृद्धानां कृत्वा पादाभिवादनम्।
वनानि क्रमशस्तात सर्वाण्येवाभ्यगच्छत ।।

294.42 एवं तीर्थेषु सर्वेषु धनोत्सर्गं नृपात्मजा।
कुर्वी द्विजमुख्यानां तंतं देशं जगाम ह ।।

### Chapter 3 (Mahābhārata 3.295)

295.1 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
अथ मद्राधिपो राजा नारदेन समागतः।
उपविष्टः सभामध्ये कथायोगेन भारत ।।

295.2 ततोऽभिगम्य तीर्थानि सर्वाण्येवाश्रमांस्तथा।
आजगाम पितुर्वेश्म सावित्री सह मन्त्रिभिः ।।

295.3 नारदेन सहासीनं सा दृष्ट्वा पितरं शुभा।
उभयोरेव शिरसा चक्रे पादाभिवादनम् ।।

295.4 नारद उवाच।
क्व गताऽभूत्सुतेयं ते कुतश्चैवागता नृप।
किमर्थं युवतीं भद्र न चैनां संप्रयच्छसि ।।

295.5 अश्वपतिरुवाच।
कार्येण खल्वनेनैव प्रेषिताद्यैव चागता।
एतस्याः शृणु देवर्षे भर्तारं योऽनया वृतः ।।

295.6 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
सा ब्रूहि विस्तरेणेति पित्रा संयोदिता शुभा।
तदैव तस्य वचनं प्रतिगृह्येदमब्रवीत् ।।

295.7 आसीत्साल्वेषु धर्मात्मा क्षत्रियः पृथिवीपतिः।
द्युमत्सेन इति ख्यातः पश्चाच्चान्धो बभूव ह ।।

295.8 विनष्टचक्षुषस्तस्य बालपुत्रस्य धीमतः।
सामीप्येन हृतं राज्यं छिद्रेऽस्मिन्पूर्ववैरिणा ।।

295.9 स बालवत्सया सार्धं भार्यया प्रस्थितो वनम्।
महारण्यं गतश्चापि पस्तेषे महाव्रतः ।।

295.10 तस्य पुत्रः पुरे जातः संवृद्धश्च तपोवने।
सत्यवाननुरूपो मे भर्तेति मनसा वृतः ।।

295.11 नारद उवाच।
अहो वत महत्पापं सावित्र्या नृपते कृतम्।
अजानन्त्या यदनया गुणवान्सत्यवान्वृतः ।।

295.12 सत्यं वदत्यस्य पिता सत्यं माता प्रभाषते।
तथाऽस् ब्राह्मणाश्चक्रुर्नामैतत्सत्यवानिति ।।

295.13 बालस्याश्वाः प्रियाश्चास्य करोत्यश्वांश्च मृन्मयान्।
चित्रेऽपि विलिखत्यश्वांश्चित्राश्व इति चोच्यते ।।

295.14 राजोवाच।
अपीदानीं स तेजस्वी बुद्धिमान्वा नृपात्मजः।
क्षमावानपि वा शृरः सत्यवान्पितृवत्सलः ।।

295.15 नारद उवाच।
विवस्वानिव तेजस्वी वृहस्पतिसमो मतौ।
महेन्द्र इवन वीरश्च वसुधेव क्षमान्वितः ।।

295.16 अश्वपतिरुवाच।
अपि राजात्मजो दाता ब्रह्मण्यश्चापि सत्यवान्।
रूपवानप्युदारो वाऽप्यथवा प्रियदर्शनः ।।

295.17 नारद उवाच।
सांकृते रन्तिदेवस् स्वशक्त्या दानतः समः।
ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यवादी च शिबिरौशीनरो यथा ।।

295.18 ययातिरिव चोदारः सोमवत्प्रियदर्शनः।
रूपेणान्यतमोऽश्विभ्यां द्युमत्सेनसुतो बली ।।

295.19 `स वदान्यः स तेजस्वीधीमांश्चैव क्षमान्वितः'।
स दान्तः स मृदुः शूरः स सत्यः संयतेन्द्रियः।
सन्मैत्रः सोनसूयश्च स ह्रीमान्द्युतिमांश्च सः ।।

295.20 नित्यशश्चार्जवं तस्मिन्धृतिस्तत्रैव च ध्रुवा।
संक्षेपतस्तपोवृद्धैः शीलवृद्धैश्च कथ्यते ।।

295.21 अश्वपतिरुवाच।
गुणैरुपेतं सर्वैस्तं भगवन्प्रब्रवीषि मे।
दोषानप्यस्य मे ब्रूहि यदि सन्तीह केचन ।।

295.22 नारद उवाच।
एक एवास्य दोषो हि गुणानाक्रम्य तिष्ठति।
स च दोषः प्रयत्नेन न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम् ।।

295.23 एको दोषोऽस्ति नान्योऽस्य सोद्यप्रभृति सत्यवान्।
संवत्सरेण क्षीणायुर्देहन्यासं करिष्यति ।।

295.24 राजोवाच।
एहि सावित्रि गच्छस्व अन्यं वरय शोभने।
तस्य दोषो महानेको गुणानाक्रम्य च स्थितः ।।

295.25 यथा मे भगवानाह नारदो देवसत्कृतः।
संवत्सरेण सोऽल्पायुर्देहन्यासं करिष्यति ।।

295.26 सावित्र्युवाच।
सकृदंशो निपतति सकृत्कन्या प्रदीयते।
स कृदाह ददानीति त्रीण्येतानि सकृत्सकृते ।।

295.27 दीर्घायुरथवाऽल्पायुः सगुणो निर्गुणोऽपि वा।
सकृद्वृतो मया भर्ता न द्वितीयं वृणोम्यहम् ।।

295.28 मनसा निश्चयं कृत्वाततो वाचाऽभिधीयते।
क्रियते कर्मणा पश्चात्प्रमाणं मे मनस्ततः ।।

295.29 नारद उवाच।
स्थिरा बुद्धिर्नरश्रेष्ठ सावित्र्या दुहितुस्तव।
नैषा वारयितुं शक्या धर्मादस्मात्कथंचन ।।

295.30 नान्यस्मिन्पुरुषे सन्ति ये सत्यवति वै गुणाः।
प्रदानमेव तस्मान्मे रोचते दुहितुस्तव ।।

295.31 राजोवाच।
अविचाल्यमेतदुक्तं तथ्यं च भवता वचः।
करिष्याम्येतदेवं च गुरुर्हि भगवान्मम ।।

295.32 नारद उवाच।
अविघ्नमस्तु सावित्र्याः प्रदाने दुहितुस्तव।
साधयिष्याम्यहं तावत्सर्वेषां भद्रमस्तु वः ।।

295.33 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
एवमुक्त्वा स्वमुत्पत्य नारदस्त्रिदिवं गतः।
राजाऽपि दुहितुः सज्जं वैवाहिकमकारयत् ।।

### Chapter 4 (Mahābhārata 3.296)

296.1 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
अथ कन्याप्रदाने स तमेवार्थं विचिन्तयन्।
समानित्ये च तत्सर्वंभाण्डं वैवाहिकं नृपः ।।

296.2 ततो वृद्धान्द्विजान्सर्वानृत्विक्सभ्यपुरोहितान्।
समाहूय दिने पुण्ये प्रययौ सह कन्यया ।।

296.3 मेध्यारण्यं स गत्वा च द्युमत्सेनाश्रमं नृपः।
पद्भ्यामेव द्विजैः सार्धं राजर्षिं तमुपागमत् ।।

296.4 तत्रापश्यन्महाभागं सालवृक्षमुपाश्रितम्।
कौश्यां बृस्यां समासीनं चक्षुर्हीनं नृपं तदा ।।

296.5 स राजा तस्य राजर्षेः कृत्वापूजां यथाऽर्हतः।
वाचा सुनियतो भूत्वा चकारात्मनिवेदनम् ।।

296.6 तस्यार्ध्यमासं चैव गां चावेद्यस धर्मवित्।
किमागमनमित्येवं राजा राजानमब्रवीत् ।।

296.7 तस्य सर्वमभिप्रायमितिकर्तव्यतां च ताम्।
सत्यवन्तं समुद्दिश्य सर्वमेव न्यवेदयत् ।।

296.8 सावित्री नाम राजर्षे कन्येयं मम शोभना।
तां स्वधर्मेण धर्मज्ञ स्नुषार्थे त्वं गृहाण मे ।।

296.9 द्युमत्सेन उवाच।
च्युताः स्म राज्याद्वनवासमाश्रिता-
श्चराम धर्मं नियतास्तपस्विनः।
कथं त्वनर्हा वनवासमाश्रमे
सहिष्यति क्लेशमिमं सुता तव ।।

296.10 अश्वमतिरुवाच।
सुखं च दुःखं च भवाभवात्मकं
यदा विजानाति सुताऽहमेव च।
न मद्विधे युज्यतेवाक्यमीदृशं
विनिश्चयेनाभिगतोस्मि ते नृप ।।

296.11 आशां नार्हसि मे हन्तुं सौहृदात्प्रणतस्य च।
अभितश्चागतं प्रेम्णा प्रत्याख्यातुं न माऽर्हसि ।।

296.12 अनुरूपो हि युक्तश्च त्वं ममाहं तवापि च।
स्नुषां प्रतीच्छ मे कन्यां भार्यां सत्यवतस्ततः ।।

296.13 द्युमत्सेन उवाच।
पूर्वमेवाभिलवितः संबन्धो मे त्वया सह।
भ्रष्टराज्यस्त्वहमिति तत एतद्विचारितम् ।।

296.14 अभिप्रायस्त्वयं यो मे पूर्वमेवाभिकाङ्क्षितः।
स निर्वर्ततु मेऽद्यैव काङ्क्षितो ह्यसि मेऽतिथिः ।।

296.15 ततः सर्वान्समानाय्य द्विजानाश्रमवासिनः।
यथाविधि समुद्वाहं कारयामासतुर्नृपौ ।।

296.16 दत्त्वा सोऽश्वपतिः कन्यां यथार्हं सपरिच्छदम्।
ययौ स्वमेव भवनं युक्तः परमया मुदा ।।

296.17 सत्यवानपि तां भार्यां लब्ध्वा सर्वगुणान्विताम्।
मुमुदे सा रच रतं लब्ध्वा भर्तारं मनसेप्सितम् ।।

296.18 गते पितरि सर्वाणि संन्यस्याभरणानि सा।
जगृहेवल्कलान्येव वस्त्रं काषायमेव च ।।

296.19 परिचारैर्गुणैश्चैव प्रश्रयेण दमेन च।
सर्वकामक्रियाभिश्च सर्वेषां तुष्टिमादधे ।।

296.20 श्वश्रूं शरीरसत्कारैः सर्वैराच्छादनादिभिः।
श्वशुरं देवसत्कारैर्वाचः संयमनेन च ।।

296.21 तथैव प्रियवादेन नैषुणेन शमेन च।
रहश्चैवोपचारेण भर्तारं पर्यतोषयत् ।।

296.22 एवं तत्राश्रमे तेषां तदा निवसतां सताम्।
कालस्तपस्यतां कश्चिदपाक्रामत भारत ।।

296.23 सावित्र्याग्लायमानायास्तिष्ठन्त्यास्तु दिवानिशम।
नारदेन यदुक्तं तद्वाक्यं मनसि वर्तते ।।

### Chapter 5 (Mahābhārata 3.297)

297.1 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
ततः काले बहुतिथे व्यतिक्रान्ते कदाचन।
प्राप्तः स कालो मर्व्यं यत्रसत्यवता नृप ।।

297.2 गणयन्त्याश्च सावित्र्या दिवसदिवसे गते।
यद्वाक्यं नारदेनोक्तं वर्तते हृदि नित्यशः ।।

297.3 चतुर्थेऽहनि मर्तव्यमिति संचिन्त्य भामिनी।
व्रतं त्रिरात्रमुद्दिश्य दिवारात्रं स्थिताऽभवत् ।।

297.4 `त्रयोदश्यां चोपवासं प्रतिपत्सु च पारणम्।
आयुष्यं वर्धते भर्तुर्व्रतेनानि भारत' ।।

297.5 तं श्रुत्वा रकनियमं तस्या भृशं दुःखान्वितो नृपः।
उत्थाय वाक्यं सावित्रीमब्रवीत्परिसान्त्वयन् ।।

297.6 अतितीव्रोऽयमारम्भस्त्वयाऽऽरब्धो नृपात्मजे।
तिसृणां वसतीनां हि स्तानं परमदुश्चरम् ।।

297.7 सावित्र्युवाच।
न कार्यस्तात संतापः पारयिष्याम्यहं व्रतम्।
व्यसंसायकृतं हीदं व्यवसायश्च कारणम् ।।

297.8 द्युमत्सेन उवाच।
व्रतं भिन्धीति वक्तुं त्वां नास्मि शक्तः कथंचन।
पारयस्वेति वचनं युक्तमस्मद्विधो वदेत् ।।

297.9 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
एवमुक्त्वा द्युमत्सेनो विरराम महामनाः।
तिष्ठन्ती चैव सावित्री काण्ठभूतेव लक्ष्यते ।।

297.10 श्वोभूते भर्तृमरणे सावित्र्या भरतर्षभ।
दुःखान्वितायास्तिष्ठन्त्याः सा रात्रिर्व्यत्यवर्तत ।।

297.11 अद्य तद्दिवसं चेति हुत्वा दीप्तं हुताशनम्।
युगमात्रोदिते सूर्येकृत्वा पौर्वाङ्णिकीः क्रियाः ।।

297.12 `व्रतं समाप्यसावित्री स्नात्वा शुद्धा यशस्विनी'।
ततः सर्वान्द्विजान्वृद्धाञ्श्वश्रूं श्वशुरमेव च।
अभिवाद्यानुपूर्व्येण प्राञ्जलिर्नियता स्थिता ।।

297.13 अवैधव्याशिषस्ते तु सावित्र्यर्थं हिताः शुभाः।
ऊचुस्तपस्विनः सर्वे तपोवननिवासिनः ।।

297.14 एवमस्त्विति सावित्री ध्यानयोगपरायणा।
मनसा ता गिरः सर्वाः प्रत्यगृह्णात्तपस्विनी ।।

297.15 तं कालं तं मुहूर्तं च प्रतीक्षन्ती नृपात्मजा।
यथोक्तं नारदवचश्चिन्तयन्ती सुदुःखिता ।।

297.16 ततस्तु श्वश्रूश्वशुरावूचतुस्तां नृपात्मजाम्।
एकान्तमास्थितां वाक्यं प्रीत्या भरतसत्तम ।।

297.17 व्रतं यथोपदिष्टं तु तथा तत्पारितं त्वया।
आहारकालः संप्राप्तः क्रियतां यदनन्तरम् ।।

297.18 सावित्र्युवाच।
अस्तं गते मयाऽऽदित्ये भोक्तव्यं कृतकामया।
एष मे हृदि संकल्पः समयश्च कृतो मया ।।

297.19 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
एवं संभाषमाणायाः सावित्र्या भोजनं प्रति।
स्कन्धे परशुमादाय सत्यवान्प्रस्थितो वनम् ।।

297.20 सावित्री त्वाह भर्तारं नैकस्त्वं गन्तुमर्हसि।
सह त्वया गमिष्यामि न हित्वां हातुमुत्सहे ।।

297.21 सत्यवानुवाच।
वनं न गतपूर्वं ते दुःख पन्थाश्च भामिनि।
व्रतोपवासक्षामा च कथं पद्भ्यां गमिष्यसि ।।

297.22 सावित्र्युवाच।
उपवासान्न मे ग्लानिर्नास्ति चापि परिश्रमः।
गमने च कृतोत्साहां प्रतिषेद्धुं न माऽर्हसि ।।

297.23 सत्यवानुवाच।
यदि ते गमनोत्साहः करिष्यामि तव प्रयम्।
मम त्वामन्त्रय गुरून्न मां दोषः स्पृशेदयम् ।।

297.24 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
साऽभिवाद्याब्रवीच्छ्वश्रूं श्वशुरं च महाव्रता।
अयं गच्छति मे भर्ता फलाहारो महावनम् ।।

297.25 इच्छेयमभ्यनुज्ञाता आर्यया श्वशुरेण ह।
अनेन सह निर्गन्तुं न मेऽद्य विरहः क्षमः ।।

297.26 गुर्वग्निहोत्रार्तकृतेप्रस्थितश्च सुतस्तव।
न निवार्यो निवार्यः स्यादन्यथा प्रस्थितो वनम् ।।

297.27 संवत्सरः किंचिदूनो न निष्क्रान्ताऽहमाश्रमात्।
वनं कुसुमितं द्रष्टुं परं कौतूहलं हि मे ।।

297.28 द्युमत्सेन उवाच।
यदा प्रभृति सावित्री पित्रा दत्ता स्नाषु मम।
नानयाऽभ्यर्थनायुक्तमुक्तपूर्वं स्मराम्यहम् ।।

297.29 तदेषा लभतां कामं यथाभिलषितं वधूः।
अप्रमादश्च कर्तव्यः पुत्रि सत्यवतः पथि ।।

297.30 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
उभाभ्यामभ्यनुज्ञाता सा जगाम यशस्विनी।
सहभर्त्रा हसन्तीव हृदयेन विदूयता ।।

297.31 सा वनानि विचित्राणि रमणीयानि सर्वशः।
मयूरगणजुष्टानि ददर्श विपुलेक्षणा ।।

297.32 नदीः पुण्यवहाश्चैव पुष्पितांश्च नगोत्तमान्।
सत्यवानाह पश्येति सावित्रीं मधूरं वचः ।।

297.33 नीरीक्षमाणा भर्तारं सर्वावस्थमनिन्दिता।
मृतमेव हिं मेने काले मुनिवचः स्मरन् ।।

297.34 अनुव्रजन्ती भर्तारं जगाम मृदुगामिनी।
द्विधेव हृदयं कृत्वा तं च कालमवेक्षती ।।

### Chapter 6 (Mahābhārata 3.298)

298.1 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
अथ भार्यासहायः स फलान्यादाय वीर्यवान्।
कठिनं पूरयामास ततः काष्ठान्यपाटयत् ।।

298.2 तस्य पाटयतः काष्ठं स्वेदो वै समजायत।
व्यायामेन च तेनास्य जज्ञे शिरसि वेदना ।।

298.3 सोऽभिगम्य प्रियां भार्यामुवाच श्रमपीडितः।
व्यायामेन ममानेन जाता शिरसि वेदना ।।

298.4 अङ्गानि चैव सावित्रि हृदयं दूयतीव च।
अस्वस्थमिव चात्मानं लक्षये मितभाषिणि ।।

298.5 शूलैरिव शिरो विद्धमिदं संलक्षयाम्यहम्।
`भ्रमन्तीव दिशः सर्वाश्चक्रारूढं मनो मम'।
तत्स्वप्तुमिच्छे कल्याणि न स्तातुं शक्तिरस्ति मे ।।

298.6 सा समासाद्य सावित्री भर्तारमुपगम्य च।
उत्सङ्गेऽस्य शिर कृत्वा निषसाद महीतले ।।

298.7 ततः सा नारदवचो विमृशन्ती तपस्विनी।
तं मुहूर्तं क्षणं वेलां दिवसं च युयोज ह ।।

298.8 `हन्त प्राप्तः स कालोऽयमिति चिन्तापरा सती'।
मुहूर्तादेव चापश्य्पुरुषं रक्तवाससम्।
वद्धमौलिं वपुष्मन्तमादित्यसमतेजसम् ।।

298.9 श्यामावदातं रक्ताक्षं पाशहस्तं भयावहम्।
स्थितं सत्यवतः पार्श्वे निरीक्षन्तं तमेव च ।।

298.10 तं दृष्ट्वासहसोत्थाय भर्तुन्यस्य शनैः शिरः।
कृताञ्जलिरुवाचार्ता हृदयेन प्रवेपती ।।

298.11 दैवतंत्वाभिजानामि वपुरेतद्ध्यमानुषम्।
कामया ब्रूहि देवेश कस्त्वं किंच चिकीर्षसि ।।

298.12 यम उवाच।
पतिव्रताऽसि सावित्रि तथैव च तपोन्विता।
अस्त्वामभिभाषामि विद्धि मां त्वं शुभे यमम् ।।

298.13 अयं ते रसत्यवान्भर्ता क्षीणायुः पार्थिवात्मजः।
नेष्यामि तमहं बद्ध्वा विद्ध्येतन्मे चीकिर्षितं ।।

298.14 सावित्र्युवाच।
श्रूयते भगवन्दूतास्तवागच्छन्ति मानवान्।
नेतुं किल भवान्कस्मादागतोसि स्वयं प्रभो ।।

298.15 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
इत्युक्तः पितृराजस्तां भगवान्स्वचिकीर्षितम्।
यथावत्सर्वमाख्यातुं तत्प्रियार्थं प्रचक्रमे ।।

298.16 अयं च धर्मसंयुक्तो रूपवान्गुणसागरः।
नार्हो मत्पुरुषैर्नेतुमतोस्मि स्वयमागतः ।।

298.17 ततः सत्यवतः कायात्पाशबद्धं वशंगतम्।
अङ्गुष्ठमात्रं पुरुषं निश्चकर्ष यमो बलात् ।।

298.18 ततः समुद्धृतप्राणं गतश्वासं हतप्रभम्।
निरविचेष्टंशरीरं तद्बभूवाप्रियदर्सनम् ।।

298.19 यमस्तु तं ततो बद्ध्वा प्रयातो दक्षिणामुखः।
सावित्री चैव दुःखार्ता यममेवान्वगच्छत ।।

298.20 `भर्तुः शरीररां च विधाय हि तपस्विनी।
भर्तारमनुगच्छन्ती तथावस्थं सुमध्यमा'।
नियमव्रतसंसिद्धा महाभागा पतिव्रता ।।

298.21 यम उवाच।
निवर्त गच्छ सावित्रि कुरुष्वास्यौर्ध्वदैहिकम्।
कृतंभर्तुस्त्वयाऽऽनृण्यं यावद्गम्यं गतं त्वया ।।

298.22 सावित्र्युवाच।
यत्र मे नीयते भर्ता स्वयं वा यत्र गच्छति।
मया च तत्र गन्तव्यमेष धर्मः सनातनः ।।

298.23 तपसा गुरुभक्त्या च भर्तुः स्नेहाद्व्रतेन च।
तव चैव प्रसादेन न मे प्रतिहता गतिः ।।

298.24 प्राहुः साप्तपदं मैत्रं बुधास्तत्त्वार्थदर्शिनः।
मित्रतां च पुरस्कृत्य किंचिद्वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु ।।

298.25 नानात्मवन्तस्तु वने चरन्ति
धर्मं च वासं च परिश्रमं च।
विज्ञानतो धर्ममुदाहरन्ति
तस्मात्सन्तो धर्ममाहुः प्रधानम् ।।

298.26 एकस्य धर्मेण सतां मतेन
सर्वेस्म तं मार्गमनुप्रपन्नाः।
मा वै द्वितीयं मा तृतीयं च वाञ्छे
तस्मात्सन्तो धर्ममाहुः प्रधानम् ।।

298.27 यम उवाच।
निवर्त तुष्टोस्मि तवानया गिरा
स्वराक्षरव्यञ्जनहेतुयुक्तया।
वरं वृणीष्वेहविनाऽस्य जीवितं
ददानि ते सर्वमनिन्दिते वरम् ।।

298.28 सावित्र्युवाच।
च्युतः स्वराज्याद्वनवासमाश्रितो
विनष्टचक्षुः श्वशुरो ममाश्रमे।
स लब्धचक्षुर्बलवान्भवेन्नृप-
स्तव प्रसादाज्ज्वलनार्कसंनिभः ।।

298.29 यम उवाच।
ददानि तेऽहं तमनिन्दिते वरं
यथा त्वयोक्तं भविता च तत्तथा।
तवाध्वना ग्लानिमिवोपलक्षये
निवर्त गच्छस्व न ते श्रमो भवेत् ।।

298.30 सावित्र्युवाच।
श्रमः कुतो भर्तृसमीपतो हिमे
यतो हि भर्ता मम सा गतिर्ध्रुवा।
यतः पतिं नमेष्यसि तत्र मे गतिः
सुरेश भूयश्च वचो निबोध मे ।।

298.31 सतां सकृत्संगतमीप्सितं परं
ततः परं मित्रमिति प्रचक्षते।
न चाफलं सत्पुरुषेण संगतं
ततः सतां संनिवसेत्समागमे ।।

298.32 यम उवाच।
मनोनुकूलं बुधबुद्धिवर्धनं
त्वया यदुक्तं वचनं हिताश्रयम्।
विना पुनः सत्यवतोस्य जीवितं
वरं द्वितीयं वरयस्व भामिनि ।।

298.33 सावित्र्युवाच।
हृतंपुरा मे श्वशुरस्य धीमतः
स्वमेव राज्यंलभतां स पार्थिवः।
कजह्यात्स्वधर्मान्न च मे गुरुर्यथा
द्वितीयमेतद्वरयामि ते वरम् ।।

298.34 यम उवाच।
स्वमेवं राज्यं प्रतिपत्स्यतेऽचिरा-
न्न च स्वधर्मात्परिहीयते नृपः।
कृतेन कामेन मया नृपात्मजे
निवर्त गच्छस्व न ते श्रमो भवेत् ।।

298.35 सावित्र्युवाच।
प्रजास्त्वयैता नियमेन संयता
नियम्य चैता नयसे निकामया।
ततो यमत्वं तव देव विश्रुतं
निबोध चेमां गिरमीरितां मया ।।

298.36 अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु कर्मणा मनसा गिरा।
अनुग्रहश्च दानं च सतां धर्मः सनातनः ।।

298.37 एवंप्रायश्च लोकोऽयं मनुष्याः शक्तिपेशलाः।
सन्तस्त्वेवाप्यमित्रेषु दयां प्राप्तेषु कुर्वते ।।

298.38 यम उवाच।
पिपासितस्येव भवेद्यथा पय-
स्तथा त्वया वाक्यमिदं समीरितम्।
विना पुनः सत्यवतोऽस्य जीवितं
वरं वृणीष्वेह शुभे यदिच्छसि ।।

298.39 सावित्र्युवाच।
ममानपत्यः पृथिवीपतिः पिता
भवत्पितुः पुत्रशतं तथौरसम्।
कुलस्य संतानकरं च यद्भवे-
त्तृतीयमेतद्वरयामि ते वरम् ।।

298.40 यम उवाच।
कुलस्य संतानकरं सुवर्चसं
शतं सुतानां पितुरस्तु ते शुभे।
कृतेन कामेन नराधिपात्मजे
निवर्त दूरं हि पथस्त्वमागता ।।

298.41 सावित्र्युवाच।
न दूरमेतन्मम भर्तृसन्निधौ
मनो हि मे दूरतरं प्रधावति।
अथ व्रजन्नेव गिरं समुद्यतां
मयोच्यमानां शृणु भूय एव च ।।

298.42 विवस्वतस्त्वं तनयऋ प्रतापवां-
स्ततो हि वैवस्वत उच्यसे बुधैः।
समेन धर्मेण चरन्ति ताः प्रजा-
स्ततस्तवेहेवर धर्मराजता ।।

298.43 आत्मन्यपि न विश्वासस्तथा भवति सत्सु यः।
तस्मात्सत्सु विशेपेण सर्वः प्रणयमिच्छति ।।

298.44 सौहदात्सर्वभूतानां विश्वासो नाम जायते।
तस्मात्सत्सु विशेपेण विश्वासं कुरुते जनः ।।

298.45 यव उवाच।
उदाहृतंते वचनं यदङ्गने
शुभे न तादृक् त्वदृते श्रुतं मया।
अनेन तुष्टोस्मि विनाऽस्य जीवितं
वरं चतुर्थं वरयस्व गच्छ च ।।

298.46 सावित्र्युवाच।
ममात्मजं सत्यवतस्तथौरसं
भवेदुभाभ्यामिह यत्कुलोद्वहम्।
शतं सुतानां बलवीर्यशालिना-
मिदंचतुर्थं वरयामि ते वरम् ।।

298.47 यम उवाच।
शतं सुतानां बलवीरय्शालिनां
भविष्यति प्रीतिकरं तवाबले।
परिश्रमस्ते न भवेन्नृपात्मजे
निवर्त दूरं हि पथस्त्वमागता ।।

298.48 सावित्र्युवाच।
सतां सदा शाश्वतधर्मवृत्तिः
सन्तो न सीदन्ति न च व्यथन्ति।
सतां सद्भिर्नाफलः संगमोस्ति
सद्भ्यो भयंनानुवर्तन्ति सन्तः ।।

298.49 सन्तो हि सत्येन नयन्ति सूर्यं
सन्तो भूमिं तपसा धारयन्ति।
सन्तो गतिर्भूतभव्यस्य राज-
न्सतां मध्ये नावसीदन्ति सन्तः ।।

298.50 आर्यजुष्टमिदं वृत्तमिति विज्ञाय शाश्वतम्।
सन्तः परार्थं कुर्वाणा नावेक्षन्ति प्रतिक्रियाः ।।

298.51 न च प्रसादः सत्पुरुषेषु मोघो
न चाप्यर्थो नश्यति नापि मानः।
यस्मादेतन्नियतं सत्सु नित्यं
तस्मात्सन्तो रक्षितारो भवन्ति ।।

298.52 यम उवाच।
यथायथा भाषसि धर्मसंहितं
मनोनुकूलं सुपदं महार्थवत्।
तथातथा मे त्वयि भक्तिरुत्तमा
वरं वृणीष्वाप्रतिमं पतिव्रते ।।

298.53 सावित्र्युवाच।
न तेऽपवर्गः सुकृताद्विना कृत-
स्तथा यथाऽन्येषु वरेषु मानद।
वरं वृणे जीवतु सत्यवानयं
यथा मृता ह्येवमहं पतिं विना ।।

298.54 न कामये भर्तविनाकृता सुखं
न कामये भर्तृविनाकृता दिवम्।
नकामये भर्तविनाकृता श्रियं
न भर्तृहीना व्यवसामि जीबितुम् ।।

298.55 वरातिसर्गः शतपुत्रता मम
त्वयैव दत्तो ह्रियते च मे पतिः।
वरं वृणे जीवतु सत्यवानयं
तवैव सत्यं वचनं भविष्यति ।।

298.56 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
तथेत्युक्त्वा तु तं पाशं मुक्त्वा वैवस्वतो यमः।
धर्मराजः प्रहृष्टात्मा सावित्रीमिदमब्रवीत् ।।

298.57 एष भद्रे मया मुक्तो भर्ता ते कुलनन्दिनि।
`तोषितोऽहं त्वया साध्वि वाक्यैर्धर्मार्तसंहितैः' ।।

298.58 अरोगस्व नेयश्च सिद्धार्थः स भविष्यि।
चतुर्वर्षशतायुश्च त्वया सार्धमवाप्स्यति ।।

298.59 इष्ट्वा यज्ञैश्च धर्मेण ख्यातिं लोके गमिष्यति।
त्वयि पुत्रशतं चैव सत्यवाञ्जनयिष्यति ।।

298.60 ते चापि सर्वे राजानः क्षत्रियाः पुत्रपौत्रिणः।
ख्यातास्त्वन्नामधेयाश्चभविष्यन्तीह शाश्वताः ।।

298.61 पितुश्च ते पुत्रशतं भविता तव मातरि।
मालव्यां मालवा नाम शाश्वताः पुत्रपौत्रिणः।
भ्रातरस्ते भविष्यन्ति क्षत्रियास्त्रिदशोपमाः ।।

298.62 एवं तस्यै वरं दत्त्वा धर्मराजः प्रतापवान्।
निवर्तयित्वा सावित्रीं स्वमेव भवनं ययौ ।।

298.63 सावित्र्यपि यमे याते भर्तारं प्रतिलभ्य च।
जगाम तत्र यत्रास्या भर्तुः शावं कलेवरम् ।।

298.64 सा भूमौ प्रेक्ष्यभर्तारमुपसृत्योपगृह्य च।
उत्सङ्गे शिर आरोप्य भूमावुपविवेश ह ।।

298.65 संज्ञां चस पुनर्लब्ध्वा सावित्रीमभ्यभाषत।
प्रोष्यागत इव प्रेम्णा पुनःपुनरुदीक्ष्यवै ।।

298.66 सुचिरं बत सुप्तोस्मि किमर्थं नावबोधितः।
क्व चासौ पुरुषः श्यामो योसौ मां संचकर्षह ।।

298.67 सावित्र्युवाच।
सुचिरं त्वंप्रसुप्तोसि ममाह्के पुरुषर्षभ।
गतः स भगवान्देवः प्रजासंयमनो यमः ।।

298.68 विश्रान्तोसि महाभाग विनिद्रश्च नृपात्मज।
यदि शक्यं समुत्तिष्ठ विगाढां पश्य शर्वरीम् ।।

298.69 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
उपलभ्यततः संज्ञां सुखसुप्त इवोत्थितः।
दिशः सर्वा वनान्तांश्च निरीक्ष्योवाच सत्यवान् ।।

298.70 फलाहारोस्मि निष्क्रान्तस्‌वया सह सुमध्यमे।
ततः पाटयतः काष्ठं शरिसो मे रुजाऽभवत् ।।

298.71 शिरोभितापसंतप्तः स्थातुं चिरमशक्नुवन्।
तवोत्सङ्गे प्रसुप्तोस्मि इति सर्वं स्मरे शुभे ।।

298.72 त्वयोपगूढस्य च मे निद्रयाऽपहृतं मनः।
ततोऽपश्यं तमो घोरं पुरुषं च महौजसम् ।।

298.73 तद्यदि त्वं विजानासि किं तद्ब्रूहि सुमध्यमे।
स्वप्नो मे यदिवा दृष्टो यदि वा सत्यमेव तत् ।।

298.74 तमुवाचाथ सावित्री रजनी व्यवगाहते।
श्वस्ते सर्वंयथावृत्तमाख्यास्यामि नृपात्मज ।।

298.75 उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ भद्रं ते पितरौ पश्य सुव्रत।
विगाढा रजनी चेयं निवृत्तश्च दिवाकरः ।।

298.76 नक्तंचराश्चरन्त्येते हृष्टाः क्रूराभिभाषिणः।
श्रूयन्ते पर्णशब्दाश्च मृगाणां चरतां वने ।।

298.77 एता घोरं शिवा नादान्दिशं दक्षिणपश्चिमाम्।
आस्थाय विरुवन्त्युग्राः कम्पयन्त्यो मनो मम ।।

298.78 सत्यवानुवाच।
वनं प्रतिभयाकारं घनेन तमसा वृतम्।
न विज्ञास्यसि पन्थानं गन्तुं चैव न शक्ष्यसि ।।

298.79 सावित्र्युवाच।
अस्मिन्न वने दग्धे शुष्कवृक्षः स्थितो ज्वलन्।
वायुना धम्यमानोत्र दृश्यतेऽग्निः क्वचित्क्वचित् ।।

298.80 ततोऽग्निमानयित्वेह ज्वालयिप्यामि सर्वतः।
काष्ठानीमानि सन्तीह जहि संतापमात्मनः ।।

298.81 यदि नोत्सहसे गन्तुं सरुजं त्वां हि लक्षये।
न च ज्ञास्यसि पन्थानं तमसा संवृते वने ।।

298.82 श्वः प्रभाते वने दृश्ये यास्यावोऽनुमते तव।
वसावेह क्षपामेकां रुचितं यदि तेऽनघ ।।

298.83 सत्यवानुवाच।
शिरोरुजा निवृत्ता मे स्वस्थान्यङ्गानि लक्षये।
मातापितृभ्यामिच्छामि संयोगं त्वत्प्रसादजम् ।।

298.84 न कदाचिद्विकाले हि गतपूर्वोहमाश्रमात्।
अनागतायां सन्ध्यायां माता मे प्ररुणद्धि माम् ।।

298.85 दिवाऽपिमयि निष्क्रान्ते सन्तप्येते गुरू मम।
विचिनोति हि मां तातः सहैवाश्रमवासिभिः ।।

298.86 मात्रा पित्रा च सुभृशं दुःखिताभ्यामहं पुरा।
उपालब्धश्च बहुशश्चिरेणागच्छसीति हि ।।

298.87 कात्ववस्था तयोरद्य मदर्थमिति चिन्तये।
तयोरदृश्ये मयि च महद्दुःखं भविष्यति ।।

298.88 पुरा मामूचतुश्चैव रात्रावस्रायमाणकौ।
भृशं सुदुःखितौ वृद्धौ बहुशः प्रीतिसंयुतौ ।।

298.89 त्वया हीनौ न जीवाव मुहूर्तमपि पुत्रक।
यावद्धरिष्यसे पुत्र तावन्नौ जीवितं ध्रुवम् ।।

298.90 वृद्धयोरन्धयोर्दृष्टिस्त्वयि वंशः प्रतिष्ठिः।
त्वयि पिण्डश्च कीर्तिश्च सन्तानश्चावयोरिति ।।

298.91 माता वृद्धा पिता वृद्धस्तयोर्यष्टिरहं किल।
तौ रात्रौ मामपश्यन्तौ कामवस्थां गमिष्यतः ।।

298.92 निद्रायाश्चाभ्यसूयामि यस्या हेतोः पिता मम।
माता च संशयं प्राप्ता मत्कृतेऽनपकारिणी ।।

298.93 अहं च संशयं प्राप्तः कृच्छ्रामापदमास्थितः।
मातापितृभ्यां हि विना नाहं जीवितुमुत्सहे ।।

298.94 व्यक्तमाकुलया बुद्ध्या प्रज्ञाचक्षुः पिता मम।
एकैकमस्यां वेलायां पृच्छत्याश्रमवासिनम् ।।

298.95 नात्मानमनुशोचामि यथाऽहंपितरं शुभे।
भर्तारं चाप्यनुगतां मातरं भृशदुःखिताम् ।।

298.96 मत्कृते न हि तावद्य सन्तापं परमेष्यतः।
जीवन्तावनुजीवामि भर्तव्यौ तौ मयेति ह ।।

298.97 तयोः प्रियं मे कर्व्यमिति जीवामि चाप्यहम्।
`परमं दैवतं तौ मे पूजनीयौ सदा मया।
तयोस्तु मे सदाऽस्त्येवं व्रतमेतत्पुरातनम्' ।।

298.98 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
एवमुक्त्वा स धर्मात्मा गुरुभक्तो गुरुप्रियः।
उच्छ्रित्य बाहू दुःखार्तः सुस्वरं प्ररुरोद ह ।।

298.99 ततोऽब्रवीत्तथा दृष्ट्वाभर्तारं शोककर्शितम्।
प्रमृज्याश्रूणि पाणिभ्यां सावित्री धर्मचारिणी ।।

298.100 यदि मेऽस्ति तपस्तप्तं यदि दत्तं हुतं यदि।
श्वश्रूश्वशुरभर्तॄणां मम पुण्याऽस्तु शर्वरी ।।

298.101 न स्मराम्युक्तपूर्वं वै स्वैरेष्वप्यनृतां गिरम्।
तेन सत्येन तावद्य ध्रियेतां श्वशुरौ मम ।।

298.102 सत्यवानुवाच।
कामये दर्शनं पित्रोर्याहि सावित्रि माचिरम्।
`अपिनाम गुरू तौ हि पश्येयं ध्रियमाणकौ' ।।

298.103 पुरा मातुः पितुर्वाऽपियदि पश्यामि विप्रियम्।
न जीविष्ये वरारोहे सत्येनात्मानमालभे ।।

298.104 यदि धर्मे च ते बुद्धिर्मां चेज्जीवन्तमिच्छसि।
मम प्रियं वा कर्तव्यं गच्छावाश्रममन्तिकात् ।।

298.105 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
सावित्री तत उत्थाय केशान्संम्य भामिनी।
पतिमुत्थापयामास बाहुभ्यां परिगृह्य वै ।।

298.106 उत्ताय सत्यवांश्चापि प्रमृज्याङ्गानि पाणिना।
सर्वा दिशः समालोक्य कठिने दृष्टिमादधे ।।

298.107 तमुवाचाथसावित्री श्वः फलानि हरिष्यसि।
योगक्षेमार्थमेतं ते नेष्यामि परशुं त्वहम् ।।

298.108 कृत्त्वा कठिनभारं सा वृक्षशाखावलम्बिनम्।
गृहीत्वा परशुं भर्तुः सकाशे पुनरागमत् ।।

298.109 वामे स्कन्धे तु वामोरूर्भर्तुर्बाहुं निवेश्य च।
दक्षिणएन परिष्वज्य जगाम गजगामिनी ।।

298.110 सत्यवानुवाच |
अभ्यासगमनाद्भीरु पन्थानो विदिता मम।
वृक्षान्तरालोकितया ज्योत्स्नया चापि लक्षये ।।

298.111 आगतौ स्वः पथा येन फलान्यवचितानि च।
यथागतं शुभे गच्छ पन्थानं मा विचारय ।।

298.112 पलाशखण्डे चैतस्मिन्पन्था व्यावर्तते द्विधा।
तस्योत्तरेण यः पन्थास्तेन गच्छ त्वरस्व च ।।

298.113 स्वस्थोस्मि बलवानस्मि दिदृक्षुः पितरावुभौ।
ब्रुवन्नेव त्वरायुक्तः सम्प्रायादाश्रमं प्रति ।।

### Chapter 7 (Mahābhārata 3.299)

299.1 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु द्युमत्सेनो महाबलः।
लब्धचक्षुः प्रसन्नायां दृष्ट्यां सर्वं ददर्श ह ।।

299.2 स सर्वानाश्रमान्गत्वा शैब्यया सह भार्यया।
पुत्रहेतोः परामार्तिं जगाम भरतर्षभ ।।

299.3 तावाश्रमान्नदीश्चैववनानि च सरांसि च।
तस्यां निशि विचिन्वन्तौ दम्पती परिजग्मतुः ।।

299.4 श्रुत्वा शब्दं तु यं कंचिदुन्मुखौ सुतशङ्कया।
सावित्रीसहितोऽभ्येति सत्यवानित्यभाषताम् ।।

299.5 भिन्नैश्च परुषैः पादैः सव्रणैः शोणितोक्षितैः।
कुशकणअटकविद्धाङ्गावुनमत्ताविव धावतः ।।

299.6 ततोऽभिसृत्य तैर्विप्रैः सर्वैराश्रमवासिभिः।
परिवार्य समाश्वास्य तावानीतौ स्वमाश्रमम् ।।

299.7 तत्रभार्यासहायः स वृतो वृद्धैस्तपोधनैः।
आश्वासितोपि चित्रार्थैः पूर्वराजकथाश्रयैः ।।

299.8 ततस्तौ पुनराश्वस्तौ वृद्धौ पुत्रदिदृक्षया।
बाल्यवृत्तानि पुत्रस्य सावित्र्या दर्शनानि च।
शोकं जग्मतुरन्योन्यं स्मरन्तौ भृशदुःखितौ ।।

299.9 हापुत्र हासाध्वि वधु क्वासिक्वासीत्यरोदताम्।
ब्राह्मणः सत्यवाक्येषामुवाचेदं तयोर्वचः ।।

299.10 सुवर्चा उवाच।
यथास्य भार्या सावित्री तपसा च दमेन च।
आचारेण च संयुक्ता तथा जीवति सत्यवान् ।।

299.11 गौतम उवाच।
वेदाः साङ्गा मयाऽधीतास्तपो मे संचितं महत्।
कौमारब्रह्मचर्यं च गुरवोऽग्निश्च तोषिताः ।।

299.12 समाहितेन चीर्णानि सर्वाण्येव व्रतानि मे।
वायुभक्षोपवासश्च कृतोमे विधिवत्सदा ।।

299.13 अनेन तपसा वेद्मि सर्वं परचीकीर्षितम्।
सत्यमेतन्निबोधध्वं ध्रियते सत्यवानिति ।।

299.14 शिष्य उवाच।
उपाध्यायस्य मे वक्राद्यथा वाक्यं विनिःसृतम्।
नैव जातु भवेन्मिथ्या तथा जीवति सत्यवान् ।।

299.15 ऋषय ऊचुः।
यथाऽस्य भार्या सावित्री सर्वैरेव सुलक्षणैः।
अवैधव्यकरैर्युक्ता तथा जीवति सत्यवान् ।।

299.16 भारद्वाज उवाच।
यथाऽस्य भार्या सावित्री तपसा च दमेन च।
आचारेण च संयुक्ता तथा जीवति सत्यवान् ।।

299.17 दाल्भ्या रउवाच।
यथा दृष्टिः प्रवृत्ता ते सावित्र्याश्च यथा व्रतम्।
गताऽऽहारमकृत्वैव तथा जीवति सत्यवान् ।।

299.18 आपस्तम्ब उवाच।
यथा वदन्ति शान्तायां दिशि वै मृगपक्षिणः।
पार्थिवीं चैववृद्धिं ते तथा जीवति सत्यवान् ।।

299.19 धौम्य उवाच।
सर्वैर्गुणैरुपेतस्ते यथा पुत्रो जनप्रियः।
दीर्घायुर्लक्षणोपेतस्तथा जीवति स्यवान् ।।

299.20 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
एवमाश्वासितस्तैस्तु सत्यवाग्भिस्तपस्विभिः।
तांस्तान्विगणयन्सर्वांस्ततः स्थिर इवाभवत् ।।

299.21 ततो मुहूर्तात्सावित्री भर्त्रा सत्वता सह।
आजगामाश्रमं रात्रौ प्रहृष्टा प्रविवेश ह ।।

299.22 `दृष्ट्वा चोत्पतिताः सर्वेहर्षं जग्मुश्च ते द्विजाः।
कण्ठं माता पिता चास्य समालिङ्ग्याभ्यरोदतां' ।।

299.23 ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः।
पुत्रेण संगतं त्वां तु चक्षुष्मन्तं निरीक्ष्य च।
सर्वे वयं वै पृच्छामो वृद्धिं वै पृथिवीपते ।।

299.24 समागमेन पुत्रस्य सावित्र्या दर्शनेन च।
चक्षुषश्चात्मनो लाभात्रिभिर्दिष्ठ्या विवर्धसे ।।

299.25 सर्वैरस्माभिरुक्तं यत्तथा तन्नात्रसंशयः।
भूयोभूयः समृद्धिस्ते क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति ।।

299.26 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
ततोऽग्निं तत्र संज्वाल्य द्विजास्ते सर्व एव हि।
उपासांचक्रिरे पार्थ द्युमत्सेनं महीपतिम् ।।

299.27 शैव्या च सत्यवांश्चैव सावित्री चैकतः स्थिताः।
सर्वैस्तैरभ्यनुज्ञाता विशोका समुपाविशन् ।।

299.28 ततो राज्ञा सहासीनाः सर्वे ते वनवासिनः।
जातकौतूहलाः पार्थ पप्रच्छुर्नृपतेः सुतम् ।।

299.29 प्रागेव नागतं कस्मात्सभार्येण त्वया विभो।
विरात्रे चागतं कस्मात्कोनु बन्धस्तवाभवत् ।।

299.30 संतापितः पिता माता वयं चैव नृपात्मज।
कस्मादिति न जानीमस्तत्सर्वं वक्तुमर्हिसि ।।

299.31 सत्यवानुवाच।
पित्राऽहमभ्यनुज्ञातः सावित्रीसहितो गतः।
अथ मेऽभूच्छिरोदुःखं वने काष्ठानि भिन्दतः ।।

299.32 सुप्तश्चाहं वेदनया चिरमित्युपलक्षये।
तावत्कालं न च मया सुप्तपूर्वं कदाचन ।।

299.33 सर्वेषामेव भवतां संतापो मा भवेदिति।
अतो विरात्रागमनं नान्यदस्तीह कारणम् ।।

299.34 गौतम उवाच।
अकस्माच्चक्षुः प्राप्तिर्द्युमत्सेनस्य ते पितुः।
नास्य त्वं कारणं वेत्सि सावित्री वक्तुमर्हति ।।

299.35 श्रोतुमिच्छामि सावित्रि त्वं हि वेत्थ परावरम्।
त्वां हि जानामि सावित्रि सावित्रीमिव तेजसा ।।

299.36 त्वमत्र हेतुं जानीषे तस्मात्सत्यं निरुच्यताम्।
रहस्यं यदि ते नास्ति किंचिदत्र वदस्व नः ।।

299.37 सावित्र्युवाच।
एवमेतद्यथा वेत्थ संकल्पो नान्यथा हि वः।
न हि किंचिद्रहस्यं मे श्रूयतां तथ्यमेव यत् ।।

299.38 मृत्युर्मे पत्युराख्यातो नारदेन महात्मना।
स चाद्य दिवसः प्राप्तस्ततो नैनं जहाम्यहम् ।।

299.39 सुप्तं चैनं साक्षादुपागच्छत्सकिंकरः।
स एनमनयद्बद्ध्वा दिशं पितृनिषेविताम् ।।

299.40 अस्तौषं तमहं देवं सत्येन वचसा विभुम्।
पञ्च वै तेन मे दत्ता वराः शृणुत तान्मम ।।

299.41 चक्षुषी च स्वराज्यंच द्वौ वरौ श्वशुरस्य मे।
लब्धं पितुः पुत्रशतं पुत्राणां चात्मनः शतम् ।।

299.42 चतुर्वर्षशतायुर्मे भर्ता लब्धश्च सत्यवान्।
भर्तुर्हि जीवितार्थं तु मया चीर्णं त्विदं व्रतम्।

299.43 एतत्सर्वं मयाऽऽख्यातं कारणं विस्तरण वः।
यथावृत्तं सुखोदर्कमिदं दुःखं महन्मम ।।

299.44 ऋषय ऊचुः।
निमज्ज्मानं व्यसनैरभिद्रुतं
कुलं नरन्द्रस्य तमोमये ह्रदे।
त्वया सुशीलव्रतपुण्यया कुलं
रसमुद्धृतं साध्वि पुनः कुलीनया ।।

299.45 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
तथा प्रशस्य ह्यभिपूज्य चैव
वरस्त्रियं तामृषयः समागताः।
नरेन्द्रमामन्त्र्य सपुत्रभञ्जसा
शिवेन रजग्मुर्मुदिताः स्वमालयम् ।।

### Chapter 8 (Mahābhārata 3.300)

300.1 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
तस्यां रात्र्यां व्यतीतायामुदिते सूर्यमण्डले।
कृतपौर्वाह्णिकाः सर्वे समेयुस्ते तपोधनाः ।।

300.2 तदेव सर्वं सावित्र्या महाभाग्यं महर्षयः।
द्युम्सेनाय नातृप्यन्कथयन्तः पुनः पुनः ।।

300.3 ततः प्रकृतयः सर्वाः साल्वेभ्योऽभ्यागा नृपम्।
आचख्युर्निहतं चैव स्वेनामात्येन तं द्विषम् ।।

300.4 तं मन्त्रिणा हतं प्रोच्य ससहायं सबान्धवम्।
न्यवेदयन्यथावृत्तं विद्रुतं च द्विषद्बलम् ।।

300.5 ऐकमत्यं च सर्वस्य जनस्य स्वं नृपं प्रति।
सचक्षुर्वाऽप्यचक्षुर्वा स नो राजा भवत्विति ।।

300.6 अनेन निश्चयेनेह वयं प्रस्थापिता नृप।
प्राप्तानीमानि यानानि चतुरङ्गं च ते बलम् ।।

300.7 प्रयाहि राजन्भद्रं ते घुष्टस्ते नगरे जयः।
अध्यास्स्व चिररात्राय पितृपैतामहं पदम् ।।

300.8 मार्कण्डेय उवाच।
चक्षुष्मन्तं च तं दृष्ट्वा राजानं वपुषाऽन्वितम्।
मूर्ध्ना निपतिताः सर्वेविस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः ।।

300.9 तोऽभिवाद्य तान्वृद्धान्द्विजानाश्रमवासिनः।
तैश्चाभिपूजितः सर्वैः प्रययौ नगरं प्रति ।।

300.10 शैव्या च सह सावित्र्या स्वास्तीर्णेन सुवर्चसा।
नरयुक्तेन यानेन प्रययौ सेनया वृता ।।

300.11 ततोऽभिषिषिचुः प्रीत्या द्युमत्सेनं पुरोहिताः।
पुत्रं चास्य महात्मानं यौवराज्येऽभ्यषेचयन् ।।

300.12 ततः कालेन महता सावित्र्याः कीर्तिवर्धनम्।
तद्वै पुत्रशतं जज्ञे शूराणामनिवर्तिनाम् ।।

300.13 भ्रातृणां सोदराणां च तथैवास्याभवच्छतम्।
मद्राधिपस्याश्वपतेर्मालव्यां सुमहाबलम् ।।

300.14 एवमात्मा पिता माता श्वश्रूः श्वशुर एव च।
भर्तुः कुलं च सावित्र्या सर्वं कृच्छ्रात्समुद्धृतं ।।

300.15 तथैवैषा हि कल्याणी द्रौपदी शीलसंमता।
तारयिष्यति वः सर्वान्सावित्रीव कुलाङ्गना ।।

300.16 वैशंपायन उवाच।
एवं स पाण्डवस्तेन अनुनीतो महात्मना।
विशोको विज्वरो राजन्काम्यके न्यवसत्तदा ।।

300.17 यश्चेदं शृणुयाद्भक्त्या सावित्र्याख्यानमुत्तमम्।
स सुखी सर्वसिद्धार्थो न दुःखं प्राप्नुयान्नरः ।।

## Translation — Mouseia

> Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the Sanskrit, passage for passage, covering the whole Savitri episode of the Mahabharata (Book 3, chapters 293–300 of the vulgate), 321 verses.

### Chapter 1 (Mahābhārata 3.293)

293.1 Markandeya said:
“So it was, mighty-armed one: Rama of boundless splendor
once suffered a terrible calamity born of exile in the forest.

293.2 Do not grieve, tiger among men. You are a warrior, scourge of foes;
you tread the path of reliance on your arms' strength, your purpose blazing bright.

293.3 I see no fault in you, not even the smallest atom.
On this path even gods and demons, with Indra, would falter.

293.4 With the Maruts' help the wielder of the thunderbolt struck down Vritra;
he struck down the formidable Namuchi and the demoness Long-Tongue as well.

293.5 With allies, every enterprise finds its footing in this world.
What could remain unconquered in battle by one whose brother is Dhananjaya?

293.6 Here too is Bhima, greatest of the strong, terrible in valor,
and the two young heroes, sons of Madri, mighty archers.

293.7 Why despair with such companions, scourge of foes?
They could defeat even the thunder-wielder's army, with all the hosts of Maruts.

293.8 With these godlike mighty archers beside you,
you too will defeat all your enemies in battle, bull of the Bharatas.

293.9 And look at this woman, whom the wicked lord of Sindhu,
strong and drunk on prowess, carried away, then these great souls—

293.10 performed an exceedingly difficult feat and brought Draupadi, Krishna, back;
they defeated King Jayadratha and brought him under their power.

293.11 Rama, with no such companions, won back the daughter of Videha
after killing ten-headed Ravana, a demon of terrible might, in battle.

293.12 His friends were branch-roaming monkeys, bears, and the dark-faced too—
creatures of another kind, king. Consider this with discernment.

293.13 Therefore, best of the Kurus, do not grieve, bull of the Bharatas;
great souls like you do not give themselves to grief, scourge of foes.”

293.14 Vaishampayana said:
Thus consoled by wise Markandeya, the king
put aside his sorrow and spoke to him again, his spirit undiminished.

### Chapter 2 (Mahābhārata 3.294)

294.1 Yudhishthira said:
“I grieve neither for myself nor for these brothers, great sage,
nor for the loss of my kingdom, as I grieve for this daughter of Drupada.

294.2 Tormented by wicked men at dice, we were rescued by Krishna;
then Jayadratha carried her off by force from the forest.

294.3 Has any noble woman ever been seen or heard of
so faithful to her husband as this daughter of Drupada?”

294.4 Markandeya said:
“Hear, Yudhishthira, the great fortune of a woman of noble birth,
all that befell the princess Savitri, king.

294.5 In Madra lived a righteous king, devoted above all to dharma,
reverent toward brahmins, great-souled, true to his word and master of his senses.

294.6 A sacrificer, generous and capable, beloved of town and countryside,
King Ashvapati sought the good of every living being.

294.7 Patient and childless, truthful, master of his senses,
as he passed beyond his prime he fell into distress.

294.8 To beget offspring he undertook a severe observance:
eating measured meals at appointed times, celibate, his senses subdued.

294.9 He offered a hundred thousand oblations to Savitri, noblest of kings,
and ate only a little on every sixth day.

294.10 He kept this observance for eighteen years;
at the close of the eighteenth, Savitri was pleased.

294.11 Then, king, she appeared in bodily form before the ruler,
rising from the sacrificial fire, filled with great joy.

294.12 The giver of blessings then addressed the king;
to Ashvapati, steadfast in his vow, Savitri spoke:

294.13 “By pure celibacy, self-restraint and observance,
and wholehearted devotion, you have pleased me, king.

294.14 Choose the blessing you desire, Ashvapati, king of Madra;
but never, under any circumstance, neglect your duties of dharma.”

294.15 Ashvapati said:
“In desire for dharma I began this undertaking to have children;
may I have many sons, goddess, to carry on my line.

294.16 If you are pleased with me, goddess, this is the blessing I choose.
The twice-born tell me that offspring are the highest dharma.”

294.17 Savitri said:
“I knew your intention already, king, and for sons
I spoke to your divine forefather, Brahma.

294.18 By his favor I myself have ordained this for you:
you shall soon have a radiant daughter, gentle king.

294.19 You must raise no objection of any kind.
At the forefather's bidding I tell you this, well pleased.”

294.20 The king assented to Savitri's words
and begged once more that this might come to pass soon.

294.21 When Savitri vanished the king returned to his city;
the hero lived in his kingdom, governing his people by dharma.

294.22 After some time the king, faithful to his vow,
begot a child in his chief queen, who followed dharma.

294.23 Within that princess from the Manava line, bull of the Bharatas,
the child grew like the lord of stars waxing in the bright sky.

294.24 When her time came she bore a lotus-eyed daughter;
the delighted king performed the rites for her.

294.25 Because pleased Savitri had granted her, through the Savitri offering,
both the priests and her father named her Savitri.

294.26 The king's daughter grew as though Fortune herself had taken shape;
in time the girl came into the bloom of youth.

294.27 Slender-waisted, broad-hipped, like a golden image,
people saw her and thought, “A daughter of the gods has come.”

294.28 But no one asked for her hand, lotus-petal-eyed
and seemingly aflame with splendor: her brilliance held them back.

294.29 One festival day she fasted, bathed her head, approached the deity,
made the prescribed fire offering and had the brahmins recite blessings.

294.30 Then the great-souled lady took the remaining flowers
and went to her father, like Fortune embodied.

294.31 She bowed at her father's feet and presented the remnants first;
then the graceful woman stood beside the king with folded hands.

294.32 Seeing his own godlike daughter grown to womanhood,
yet sought by no suitor, the king was grieved.

294.33 The king said:
“Daughter, the time has come to give you in marriage, but no one asks me.
Seek out for yourself a husband whose virtues match your own.

294.34 Tell me whom you have chosen;
after considering him, I shall give you to him. Choose as you wish.

294.35 I have heard the brahmins recite the texts of dharma;
listen, dear child, to what I tell you from them.

294.36 A father who fails to give his daughter in marriage is blamed, as is a husband who fails to come to her;
and a son who fails to protect his mother when her husband dies is blamed.

294.37 Having heard my words, set out in search of a husband;
act so that I need not answer for this before the gods.”

294.38 So he spoke to his daughter, then ordered his aged counselors
to accompany her and bade them go.

294.39 The spirited girl bowed at her father's feet, almost shyly,
and, obeying his words, set out without hesitation.

294.40 She mounted a golden chariot, attended by elderly ministers,
and traveled to the lovely ascetic groves of royal sages.

294.41 There she bowed at the feet of venerable elders,
and, dear king, went through all the forests in turn.

294.42 Giving wealth to eminent brahmins at every sacred ford,
the princess traveled from place to place.

### Chapter 3 (Mahābhārata 3.295)

295.1 Markandeya said:
Then the king of Madra met Narada,
and they sat conversing in the midst of the court, descendant of Bharata.

295.2 Having visited all the sacred fords and hermitages,
Savitri came home to her father with the ministers.

295.3 Seeing her father seated with Narada, the gracious girl
bowed her head to the feet of both.

295.4 Narada said:
“Where has your daughter been, king, and where has she returned from?
Why, good man, have you not given this young woman in marriage?”

295.5 Ashvapati said:
“I sent her on that very errand, and she has just returned.
Hear from her, divine sage, whom she has chosen for a husband.”

295.6 Markandeya said:
At her father's instruction to tell the story fully,
she accepted his command at once and spoke:

295.7 “Among the Shalvas there was a righteous warrior king
named Dyumatsena, who afterward became blind.

295.8 When this wise man lost his sight and his son was still a child,
an old enemy from a neighboring land seized the opening and took his kingdom.

295.9 With his wife, who carried their child, he left for the forest;
he went into the great wilderness and practiced austerities under a mighty vow.

295.10 His son was born in the city and grew up in the ascetic grove.
I have chosen Satyavan in my heart as a husband worthy of me.”

295.11 Narada said:
“Alas, king, Savitri has committed a grave mistake
without knowing it, choosing the virtuous Satyavan.

295.12 His father speaks the truth, his mother too speaks the truth;
so the brahmins gave him the name Satyavan, ‘truthful one.’

295.13 As a child he loved horses, fashioned horses out of clay
and drew them in pictures; he was called ‘horse-painter.’”

295.14 The king said:
“Is the prince radiant and wise?
Is Satyavan patient, brave and devoted to his father?”

295.15 Narada said:
“He shines like the sun, thinks like Brihaspati,
is brave as great Indra, and patient as the earth.”

295.16 Ashvapati said:
“Is Prince Satyavan generous and devoted to brahmins?
Is he handsome, noble and pleasing to behold?”

295.17 Narada said:
“In giving according to his means he equals Rantideva, son of Sankriti;
he honors brahmins and speaks truth like Shibi, son of Ushinara.

295.18 He is noble as Yayati and lovely to see as the moon;
Dyumatsena's strong son is as handsome as either Ashvin.

295.19 He is generous, brilliant, wise and patient;
self-controlled, gentle, brave, truthful, his senses disciplined;
loyal in friendship, free of envy, modest and radiant.

295.20 He is always honest and unfailingly steadfast;
that is how elders rich in austerity and conduct describe him, in brief.”

295.21 Ashvapati said:
“You tell me, revered sage, that he has every virtue.
Tell me too of any faults he has.”

295.22 Narada said:
“One fault alone overshadows all his virtues,
and no effort can avert it.

295.23 He has this one fault and no other: one year from today
Satyavan's allotted life will end, and he will lay down his body.”

295.24 The king said:
“Come, Savitri, go and choose another, beautiful child.
That one great fault eclipses all his virtues.

295.25 As divine Narada, honored by the gods, tells me,
in one year his short life will end and he will lay down his body.”

295.26 Savitri said:
“An inheritance falls once, a daughter is given once,
and once a man says, ‘I give’: these three things happen only once.

295.27 Whether long-lived or short-lived, virtuous or without virtue,
I have chosen a husband once; I shall not choose a second.

295.28 First a decision is made in the mind, then spoken in words,
then carried out in action; so my mind is my authority.”

295.29 Narada said:
“Your daughter Savitri is firm in her resolve, best of men;
she cannot be turned away from this dharma by any means.

295.30 No other man possesses the virtues Satyavan has;
therefore I favor giving him your daughter.”

295.31 The king said:
“What you have said is unshakable and true.
I shall do just that, for you, revered sage, are my teacher.”

295.32 Narada said:
“May nothing impede the marriage of your daughter Savitri.
I shall take my leave now. May good fortune be yours, all of you.”

295.33 Markandeya said:
So saying, Narada rose into the sky and went to heaven;
the king made ready all that was needed for his daughter's wedding.

### Chapter 4 (Mahābhārata 3.296)

296.1 Markandeya said:
With his daughter's marriage in mind, the king
assembled all the goods needed for the wedding.

296.2 Summoning the venerable brahmins, officiants, councilors and priests,
he set out with his daughter on an auspicious day.

296.3 Reaching the sacred forest and Dyumatsena's hermitage,
the king approached that royal sage on foot with the brahmins.

296.4 There he found the noble, sightless king
seated on a mat of kusha grass beneath a shala tree.

296.5 That king honored the royal sage as he deserved,
then spoke with measured words and introduced himself.

296.6 The king who knew dharma offered him welcome-water, a seat and a cow;
“What brings you here?” one king asked the other.

296.7 He disclosed all his intention, and what he wished to do,
explaining everything concerning Satyavan.

296.8 “Royal sage, my beautiful daughter is named Savitri.
Accept her, knower of dharma, as your daughter-in-law in keeping with our dharma.”

296.9 Dyumatsena said:
“Driven from our kingdom, we have taken refuge in forest life;
self-restrained ascetics, we live according to dharma.
How will your daughter, unaccustomed to life in a forest hermitage,
bear such hardship here?”

296.10 Ashvapati said:
“My daughter and I both know that joy and pain
are born of fortune and its loss.
Words such as these are not fitting for a man like me;
I have come to you resolved, king.

296.11 You should not extinguish the hopes of one who bows to you in friendship;
do not turn away one who has come to you with love.

296.12 You are a fitting match for me and I for you;
accept my daughter as your daughter-in-law, as Satyavan's wife.”

296.13 Dyumatsena said:
“I had long wished to join our families,
but hesitated because I had lost my kingdom.

296.14 May the wish I have cherished from the beginning
be fulfilled today. You are a guest I have longed to welcome.”

296.15 Then they gathered all the brahmins living in the hermitage,
and the two kings had the marriage performed according to the rites.

296.16 Ashvapati gave his daughter with the proper gifts and possessions,
then went home filled with supreme joy.

296.17 Satyavan rejoiced to have a wife endowed with every virtue;
she rejoiced to have the husband her heart desired.

296.18 When her father departed she laid aside all her ornaments
and took up bark garments and the ocher robe.

296.19 By service, virtue, deference and self-control,
and by meeting every need, she pleased them all.

296.20 She cared for her mother-in-law's body with clothing and every comfort;
she honored her father-in-law like a god and guarded her speech.

296.21 With loving words, skill and composure,
and private attentions, she delighted her husband.

296.22 As those good people lived and practiced austerity in the hermitage,
some time passed, descendant of Bharata.

296.23 But Savitri wasted away, standing watch by day and night:
the words Narada had spoken remained in her mind.

### Chapter 5 (Mahābhārata 3.297)

297.1 Markandeya said:
After a long time had passed, at last the hour arrived
when Satyavan was to die, king.

297.2 As Savitri counted off each passing day,
Narada's words remained always in her heart.

297.3 “He must die on the fourth day,” the radiant woman thought;
she undertook a three-night vow and stood fasting day and night.

297.4 “Fast on the thirteenth, break the fast on the first;
by this vow a husband's life is lengthened, descendant of Bharata.”

297.5 Hearing of her severe observance, the king was deeply distressed;
he rose and spoke to Savitri to comfort her.

297.6 “This undertaking of yours is far too severe, princess;
to stand through three nights is exceedingly hard.”

297.7 Savitri said:
“Do not be distressed, father. I shall complete the vow;
I made it with resolve, and resolve is its foundation.”

297.8 Dyumatsena said:
“I cannot possibly tell you to break your vow;
a man like me can only say, ‘May you complete it.’”

297.9 Markandeya said:
Having said this, noble Dyumatsena fell silent;
Savitri stood there looking like a wooden post.

297.10 On the eve of her husband's death, bull of the Bharatas,
the night passed over Savitri as she stood in anguish.

297.11 “This is the day,” she thought, and offered into the blazing fire;
when the sun had risen a yoke's height, she performed the morning rites.

297.12 “Having completed her vow, illustrious Savitri bathed and purified herself.”
Then, bowing in turn to all the elder brahmins, her mother-in-law and father-in-law,
she stood with folded hands, composed.

297.13 All the ascetics who dwelt in the grove
spoke auspicious blessings for Savitri that she might never be widowed.

297.14 “May it be so,” said Savitri within her heart,
the ascetic woman absorbed in meditation, accepting every word.

297.15 The princess waited for that hour, that moment,
in deep anguish, pondering Narada's prophecy.

297.16 Then her mother-in-law and father-in-law spoke lovingly
to the princess as she stood apart, best of the Bharatas.

297.17 “You have completed the vow as it was prescribed;
the time for food has come. Do what follows.”

297.18 Savitri said:
“When the sun has set I shall eat, once my wish has been fulfilled;
this is the resolve in my heart, the pledge I have made.”

297.19 Markandeya said:
As Savitri was speaking of her meal,
Satyavan put an ax on his shoulder and set out for the forest.

297.20 Savitri said to her husband, “You must not go alone;
I shall go with you. I cannot bear to leave you.”

297.21 Satyavan said:
“You have never been in the forest, beautiful one, and the path is hard;
weakened by fasting, how will you make the journey on foot?”

297.22 Savitri said:
“The fast has not weakened me, nor am I weary.
My heart is set on going; do not forbid me.”

297.23 Satyavan said:
“If you wish to go, I shall do as you wish;
but ask my parents' leave, so that I incur no fault.”

297.24 Markandeya said:
The woman of mighty vows bowed to her elders and told them:
“My husband is going to the great forest to gather fruit.

297.25 I wish, with your leave, noble mother and father,
to go out with him. Today I cannot bear to be apart.

297.26 Your son is going to fulfill his duty toward his elders and the sacred fire;
he must not be stopped. Stop him if he goes into the forest for some other reason.

297.27 For almost a year I have not gone beyond the hermitage;
I long to see the forest in bloom.”

297.28 Dyumatsena said:
“Since Savitri's father gave her to me as a daughter-in-law,
I cannot recall her ever making a request.

297.29 So let her have what she desires;
but be careful on Satyavan's path, daughter.”

297.30 Markandeya said:
With leave from them both, the illustrious woman went with her husband,
smiling, it seemed, while her heart was torn with pain.

297.31 The wide-eyed woman saw the forests,
richly varied and lovely everywhere, alive with peacocks.

297.32 Satyavan said gently to Savitri, “Look at the rivers bearing sacred waters,
and the great trees in blossom.”

297.33 But the blameless woman watched her husband at every step,
and, remembering the sage's words, thought of him as already dead.

297.34 The soft-stepping woman followed her husband,
her heart divided between him and the approaching hour.

### Chapter 6 (Mahābhārata 3.298)

298.1 Markandeya said:
With his wife helping him, the strong man gathered fruit,
filled his basket, then began splitting wood.

298.2 As he split the wood, sweat broke out on him;
the exertion brought on a pain in his head.

298.3 Weary and afflicted, he went to his beloved wife and said,
“This exertion has given me a headache.

298.4 My limbs, Savitri, and my heart seem to ache;
I do not feel well, gentle speaker.

298.5 My head feels pierced with spikes;
all directions seem to spin, and my mind whirls like a wheel.
I want to sleep, dear one; I have no strength to stand.”

298.6 Savitri went to her husband,
placed his head in her lap and sat on the ground.

298.7 Pondering Narada's words, the ascetic woman
reckoned the hour, the moment, the instant and the day.

298.8 “Now the appointed hour has come,” she thought in anguish.
In a moment she saw a man in red garments,
crowned, magnificent, brilliant as the sun.

298.9 Dark yet luminous, red-eyed, bearing a noose, terrifying,
he stood beside Satyavan and gazed straight at him.

298.10 Seeing him, she gently lowered her husband's head and rose at once;
with hands folded, grieving and trembling at heart, she spoke:

298.11 “I know you are a god; your form is not human.
Tell me, lord of gods, who are you and what do you intend?”

298.12 Yama said:
“You are faithful to your husband, Savitri, and endowed with austerity;
therefore I speak to you. Know me, gracious woman, as Yama.

298.13 Your husband Satyavan, son of a king, has exhausted his life;
I shall bind him and take him. That is why I have come.”

298.14 Savitri said:
“Lord, I have heard your messengers come to take human beings;
why have you come yourself, master?”

298.15 Markandeya said:
Thus addressed, the divine king of the ancestors began,
for her sake, to explain his purpose in full:

298.16 “He is devoted to dharma, handsome and an ocean of virtues;
my attendants are unworthy to take him, so I came myself.”

298.17 Then from Satyavan's body Yama drew forth by force
a man the size of a thumb, bound in the noose and subject to his power.

298.18 With life drawn out, breath gone and radiance extinguished,
the body lay motionless, dreadful to behold.

298.19 Having bound him, Yama set off toward the south;
in her grief Savitri followed Yama.

298.20 “Having laid out her husband's body, the ascetic woman,
slender-waisted, followed her husband in that state,”
the noble wife, faithful and perfected through her vows.

298.21 Yama said:
“Turn back, Savitri, and perform his funeral rites;
you have discharged your debt to your husband and gone as far as you should.”

298.22 Savitri said:
“Where my husband is taken, or where he goes himself,
there I too must go. This is the eternal dharma.

298.23 Through austerity, reverence for my elders, love for my husband, my vow,
and your own favor, my way is not barred.

298.24 The wise, who see truth, say seven steps together make a friendship;
in the name of that friendship I have something to say. Hear me.

298.25 Those without self-mastery roam the forest in vain,
enduring its dharma, dwelling and toil;
the wise expound dharma from understanding,
and so the good call dharma supreme.

298.26 Through the dharma of one good person, approved by the good,
we have all entered upon that path.
I seek no second or third path;
therefore the good call dharma supreme.”

298.27 Yama said:
“Turn back. Your speech delights me: its tones and words
are clear, its reasoning apt.
Choose a blessing here, blameless woman, except his life;
I shall grant you any such blessing.”

298.28 Savitri said:
“My father-in-law, driven from his kingdom, lives in the forest,
blind, in a hermitage.
By your grace may he regain his sight and strength,
a king radiant as fire and sun.”

298.29 Yama said:
“I grant you that blessing, blameless woman;
it shall be exactly as you have spoken.
I see that the journey is tiring you;
turn back now, lest you suffer.”

298.30 Savitri said:
“How could I tire when I am near my husband?
Where my husband goes is surely my path.
Where you carry him, there I must go;
lord of gods, hear me speak again.

298.31 Even one meeting with the good is supremely desired;
what follows is called friendship.
A meeting with a good person is never fruitless;
therefore let us remain in the company of the good.”

298.32 Yama said:
“Your helpful words delight the mind and increase wisdom;
I am pleased with what you have said.
Choose a second blessing, radiant woman,
but not Satyavan's life.”

298.33 Savitri said:
“May my wise father-in-law recover the kingdom
that was stolen from him in the past;
may he never abandon his own dharma—
this is the second blessing I ask of you.”

298.34 Yama said:
“He shall soon recover his own kingdom,
and the king shall not fall away from his dharma.
Your wish is fulfilled by me, princess;
turn back now, lest you weary.”

298.35 Savitri said:
“By your law you hold these creatures in check,
and having governed them, lead them away at your will.
Thus, god, your name Yama is known;
hear now what I shall say.

298.36 To harm no living thing in deed or thought or word,
to show compassion and to give: this is the eternal dharma of the good.

298.37 Most people in this world are frail in their strength;
but the good show mercy even to enemies who come to them.”

298.38 Yama said:
“Your words are to me like water to a thirsty man.
Choose whatever blessing you wish, gracious woman,
except Satyavan's life.”

298.39 Savitri said:
“My father the king has no children.
May a hundred sons of his own body carry on his line;
that is the third blessing I ask of you.”

298.40 Yama said:
“May your father have a hundred radiant sons
to carry on his line, gracious woman.
Your wish is fulfilled, princess;
turn back, for you have come a long way.”

298.41 Savitri said:
“I am not far away while near my husband;
my mind runs much farther than my feet.
As you go on, listen once more
to the words I offer you.

298.42 “You are the mighty son of Vivasvat,
and so the wise call you Vaivasvata.
You rule creatures by equal dharma;
that is why you are called Dharmaraja in this world.

298.43 A man does not trust even himself as he trusts the good;
therefore everyone longs especially for their affection.

298.44 From goodwill toward all living things springs trust;
therefore people place their trust especially in the good.”

298.45 Yama said:
“Gracious woman, none but you has ever spoken to me
with words such as these.
I am pleased; choose a fourth blessing, but not his life,
and go.”

298.46 Savitri said:
“May I bear Satyavan a hundred sons of our own bodies,
who will carry on both our lines,
strong sons, full of valor:
this is the fourth blessing I ask of you.”

298.47 Yama said:
“You shall have a hundred strong and valiant sons
to bring you joy, gentle woman.
You must not tire, princess;
turn back, for you have come far.”

298.48 Savitri said:
“The good forever walk the path of eternal dharma;
they do not sink or tremble.
The meeting of good people with the good is never fruitless;
the good need fear nothing from the good.

298.49 By truth the good lead the sun on its course;
by austerity the good uphold the earth.
They are the refuge of past and future, king;
among the good, the good never fall.

298.50 Knowing this to be the ancient way honored by the noble,
the good work for others without looking for reward.

298.51 The favor of good people is never wasted;
wealth and honor do not perish in their keeping.
Because this is ever the law among the good,
the good become protectors.”

298.52 Yama said:
“The more you speak of dharma in words so welcome,
so well formed and rich with meaning,
the more my affection for you grows;
choose an unequaled blessing, faithful wife.”

298.53 Savitri said:
“Unlike the other blessings, generous lord, you made
no exception this time for good deeds: this is what I choose—
let Satyavan live,
for without my husband I am as one dead.

298.54 Without my husband I desire no happiness;
without my husband I desire no heaven;
without my husband I desire no prosperity;
without my husband I have no wish to live.

298.55 You yourself granted that I should have a hundred sons,
yet you are taking my husband away.
I ask this blessing: let Satyavan live,
and your own word will prove true.”

298.56 Markandeya said:
“So be it,” said Yama, Vaivasvata, and loosened the noose;
Dharmaraja, filled with joy, said to Savitri:

298.57 “Here, dear woman, I release your husband, delight of your family;
virtuous wife, your words of dharma and purpose have pleased me.

298.58 He shall be healthy, successful and attain his goal;
together with you he shall live four hundred years.

298.59 Offering sacrifices in keeping with dharma, he shall gain renown in the world;
Satyavan shall father a hundred sons with you.

298.60 They shall all be warrior kings, with sons and grandsons,
forever famed and bearing your name.

298.61 Your father too shall have a hundred sons by your mother,
Malavi; called the Malavas, with sons and grandsons,
your brothers shall be warriors like the gods.”

298.62 Having granted her these blessings, mighty Dharmaraja
sent Savitri back and went to his own abode.

298.63 When Yama was gone and Savitri had won back her husband,
she returned to the place where his lifeless body lay.

298.64 Seeing her husband on the ground, she drew near and embraced him;
she sat down and raised his head into her lap.

298.65 Regaining consciousness, he spoke to Savitri,
looking at her again and again with love, as one returned from afar.

298.66 “How long I have slept! Why did you not wake me?
And where is that dark man who dragged me away?”

298.67 Savitri said:
“You slept a long time in my lap, greatest of men.
The divine Yama, who governs living beings, has gone.

298.68 You have rested, noble prince, and are awake;
if you can, rise, and see how deep the night has grown.”

298.69 Markandeya said:
His senses returned; he rose as from a restful sleep,
looked at the forest on all sides, and said:

298.70 “I came out with you to gather fruit, slender-waisted one;
then pain struck my body while I was splitting wood.

298.71 My head burned so fiercely that I could not stand;
I fell asleep in your lap. I remember it all, dear one.

298.72 As you held me, sleep swept away my mind;
then I saw a dreadful darkness and a man of great power.

298.73 If you know what it was, tell me, slender-waisted one:
was what I saw a dream, or was it real?”

298.74 Savitri said to him, “Night is growing deep;
tomorrow, prince, I shall tell you all that happened.

298.75 Rise, rise, and may you be well; see your parents, man of good vows.
The night is deep, and the sun has set.

298.76 Creatures of night prowl, exultant, calling harshly;
we hear leaves stir as beasts move through the forest.

298.77 Those fierce jackals howl from the southwest,
their terrible cries shaking my heart.”

298.78 Satyavan said:
“The forest is frightening, shrouded in thick darkness;
you cannot find the path, nor can you walk it.”

298.79 Savitri said:
“A dry tree in this burned part of the forest is aflame;
the wind fans it, and fire glimmers here and there.

298.80 I can bring fire here and kindle it all around;
there is wood nearby. Put aside your distress.

298.81 If you cannot bear to walk, for you still seem to be in pain,
we cannot find the path in a forest wrapped in darkness.

298.82 When the forest is visible at dawn we can go, if you agree;
let us spend one night here, if that is your wish, blameless one.”

298.83 Satyavan said:
“The pain in my head has gone; my limbs feel sound.
With your help I want to be reunited with my parents.

298.84 Never before have I returned late to the hermitage;
my mother holds me back even before dusk arrives.

298.85 Even when I leave by day, my parents worry over me;
my father searches for me with the hermitage dwellers.

298.86 My mother and father have been sorely distressed before,
and often scolded me for returning late.

298.87 What condition must they be in now because of me?
If they cannot see me, their grief will be great.

298.88 In the past my aged parents often said to me at night,
weeping, overwhelmed by sorrow and love:

298.89 ‘Without you, son, we cannot live even for a moment;
as long as you live, son, our lives are assured.

298.90 You are the sight of us, old and blind, the foundation of our line;
in you are our offerings to the dead, our fame and our posterity.’

298.91 My mother is old, my father is old, and I am their staff;
what will become of them tonight when they do not see me?

298.92 I resent the sleep because of which my father
and my blameless mother have been thrown into fear for me.

298.93 I too am in danger, caught in grievous trouble;
without my mother and father I cannot bear to live.

298.94 My father, whose wisdom is his sight, must surely be distressed,
questioning each hermitage dweller in turn at this hour.

298.95 I do not grieve for myself as I grieve for my father, dear woman,
and for my mother, who followed her husband and suffers deeply.

298.96 Because of me they must be suffering terrible anguish now;
as long as they live, I live to serve and support them.

298.97 I live to do what pleases them;
‘They are my highest divinities, ever worthy of my worship;
such has always been my ancient vow.’”

298.98 Markandeya said:
So the righteous man, devoted and dear to his parents,
lifted his arms and wept aloud in anguish.

298.99 Seeing her husband wasted with grief,
Savitri, devoted to dharma, wiped her tears with her hands and said:

298.100 “If I have practiced austerity, if I have given or offered sacrifice,
may this night bring good to my husband and his parents.

298.101 I cannot remember speaking a false word even in jest;
by that truth may my husband's parents live tonight.”

298.102 Satyavan said:
“I long to see my parents. Come, Savitri, do not delay;
I pray that I may find my beloved elders alive.

298.103 If I see any harm has come to my mother or father,
graceful woman, I shall not live; by truth I swear it.

298.104 If your mind is set on dharma, if you want me to live,
if you wish to do what pleases me, let us go straight to the hermitage.”

298.105 Markandeya said:
Then the radiant Savitri rose and bound up her hair;
she clasped her husband in her arms and helped him stand.

298.106 Satyavan stood, rubbed his limbs with his hands,
looked in every direction, and fixed his eyes on the basket.

298.107 Savitri said to him, “Tomorrow you can fetch the fruit;
I shall carry your ax so we have what we need.”

298.108 She hung the heavy fruit-basket from the branch of a tree,
took up his ax and returned to her husband's side.

298.109 The graceful woman placed her husband's arm across her left shoulder,
held him with her right arm, and moved off with an elephant's stately step.

298.110 Satyavan said:
“Because I have traveled here often, timid one, I know the paths;
I can make them out by the moonlight glimpsed between the trees.

298.111 We came by the path where we gathered the fruit;
go back the way we came, dear one, without searching for another.

298.112 At this grove of palasha trees the path forks in two;
take the northern track, and hurry.

298.113 I am well, I am strong; I long to see both my parents.”
Even as he spoke, he pressed rapidly toward the hermitage.

### Chapter 7 (Mahābhārata 3.299)

299.1 Markandeya said:
At that very moment mighty Dyumatsena regained his sight;
his eyes cleared, and he saw everything.

299.2 With his wife Shaivya he visited all the hermitages,
beside himself with anguish for his son, bull of the Bharatas.

299.3 Through that night the couple wandered,
searching hermitages, rivers, woods and lakes.

299.4 At every sound they raised their heads, hoping it was their son:
“Satyavan is coming with Savitri,” they said.

299.5 With feet split and rough, wounded and stained with blood,
limbs pierced by blades of kusha and thorns, they ran like mad people.

299.6 Then all the brahmins living in the hermitage hurried to them,
surrounded and consoled them, and brought them home.

299.7 There the king and his wife were surrounded by aged ascetics,
who consoled them with tales of former kings, rich in strange turns.

299.8 Even as they grew calmer, the old couple longed to see their son;
remembering his childhood ways and their meetings with Savitri,
they fell together into grief again, overcome with sorrow.

299.9 “Ah, son! Ah, noble daughter-in-law! Where are you?” they wept.
Then a brahmin whose words were true addressed them:

299.10 Suvarcas said:
“Because Savitri, his wife, is endowed with austerity, self-restraint
and right conduct, Satyavan lives.”

299.11 Gautama said:
“I have studied the Vedas with all their branches and amassed great austerity;
I have kept celibacy since youth, and pleased my teachers and the sacred fire.

299.12 With an attentive mind I have observed all my vows,
and always fasted according to rule, living only on air.

299.13 Through this austerity I know all that others intend;
know this as truth: Satyavan is alive.”

299.14 A student said:
“The words spoken by my teacher
can never be false; therefore Satyavan is alive.”

299.15 The sages said:
“Because Savitri his wife bears every auspicious sign
that wards off widowhood, Satyavan is alive.”

299.16 Bharadvaja said:
“Because Savitri his wife is endowed with austerity, self-restraint
and right conduct, Satyavan is alive.”

299.17 Dalbhya said:
“Because your sight has returned, because Savitri kept her vow
and went without breaking her fast, Satyavan is alive.”

299.18 Apastamba said:
“Because the beasts and birds call in the peaceful quarter,
and your earthly fortune grows, Satyavan is alive.”

299.19 Dhaumya said:
“Because your son has every virtue, is beloved by the people,
and bears the signs of long life, Satyavan is alive.”

299.20 Markandeya said:
Consoled by these truthful ascetics,
he pondered all they had said and at last grew steady.

299.21 A little while later Savitri came with her husband Satyavan,
and entered the hermitage rejoicing in the night.

299.22 “At the sight of them all the brahmins sprang up in joy;
his mother and father embraced him around the neck and wept.”

299.23 The brahmins said:
“Seeing you reunited with your son, and seeing that you have sight,
we all ask after your prosperity, lord of the earth.

299.24 Blessed are you three times over: for meeting your son,
for seeing Savitri and for recovering your sight.

299.25 All we foretold has come to pass, without doubt;
your good fortune will soon increase again and again.”

299.26 Markandeya said:
Then all those brahmins kindled the fire, son of Pritha,
and sat beside King Dyumatsena.

299.27 Shaivya, Satyavan and Savitri sat together,
free of sorrow, with the leave of all those present.

299.28 Sitting with the king, the forest dwellers grew curious,
son of Pritha, and questioned the prince.

299.29 “Why did you not return sooner with your wife, lord?
Why have you come so late at night? What held you back?

299.30 Your father and mother were in anguish, and we too, prince;
we do not know why. You must tell us all.”

299.31 Satyavan said:
“With my father's leave I went out with Savitri;
then, while splitting wood in the forest, my head began to ache.

299.32 I fell asleep from the pain, for a long time, it seems;
I have never slept for so long before.

299.33 I came late only to spare you all distress;
there was no other reason.”

299.34 Gautama said:
“Your father Dyumatsena suddenly regained his sight;
you do not know the cause, but Savitri should tell us.

299.35 I wish to hear you, Savitri, for you know what is near and far;
I know your brilliance to be like the goddess Savitri's.

299.36 You know the cause, so speak the truth;
if it is no secret, tell us something of it.”

299.37 Savitri said:
“It is as you understand; your thought is not mistaken.
I have no secret. Hear what truly happened.

299.38 Great-souled Narada foretold my husband's death;
this was the appointed day, so I would not leave him.

299.39 While he slept, Yama himself came with his attendant;
he bound my husband and led him toward the realm of the ancestors.

299.40 I praised that powerful god with truthful words;
he granted me five blessings. Hear what they were.

299.41 Two blessings, sight and his kingdom, were for my father-in-law;
my father received a hundred sons, and I a hundred sons of my own.

299.42 I regained my husband Satyavan, with four hundred years of life;
it was to save his life that I kept this vow.

299.43 I have now told you in full the cause of all this:
my great sorrow, which ended in joy.”

299.44 The sages said:
“Your noble conduct and holy vow, good woman,
have drawn the king's family out of a dark lake
where it sank, beset by troubles;
you, noble-born, have raised that family up again.”

299.45 Markandeya said:
Thus the assembled sages praised and honored
that most excellent woman;
then, taking leave of the king and his son,
they went gladly home in peace.

### Chapter 8 (Mahābhārata 3.300)

300.1 Markandeya said:
When that night had passed and the sun's disk had risen,
the ascetics, their morning rites complete, all gathered together.

300.2 The great seers could not have enough of telling Dyumatsena,
again and again, the whole of Savitri's great good fortune.

300.3 Then all the king's subjects came from the Shalvas
and told him that his enemy had been slain by his own minister.

300.4 They reported how the minister had killed him with his allies and his kin,
and told all that had happened, and how the enemy's army had fled.

300.5 They told of the whole people's single will toward their own king:
“Sighted or blind, let him be our king.”

300.6 “With this resolve we have been sent here, king.
These chariots have come for you, and your fourfold army.

300.7 Set out, king, and good fortune go with you: your victory is proclaimed in the city.
Take your seat for long years to come in the place of your fathers and forefathers.”

300.8 Markandeya said:
And when they saw the king with his sight restored and his body whole,
they all bowed their heads to the ground, their eyes wide with wonder.

300.9 He greeted the aged brahmins who dwelt in the hermitage,
and, honored by them all, set out for his city.

300.10 Shaibya too, with Savitri, set out, surrounded by the army,
in a splendid, well-cushioned litter borne by men.

300.11 Then the family priests joyfully consecrated Dyumatsena as king,
and consecrated his great-souled son as heir apparent.

300.12 Then, in the fullness of time, a hundred sons were born to Savitri,
heroes who never turned from battle, spreading her fame;

300.13 and a hundred mighty brothers of her own blood were born as well
to Ashvapati, lord of the Madras, by Malavi.

300.14 So Savitri raised them all out of hardship:
herself, her father and her mother, her husband's mother and father, and her husband's line.

300.15 Even so this blessed Draupadi, esteemed for her virtue,
a woman of noble house like Savitri, will carry you all across.

300.16 Vaishampayana said:
So the Pandava, consoled by that great-souled sage,
lived on in the Kamyaka forest then, free of grief and fever, king.

300.17 Whoever listens with devotion to this supreme tale of Savitri
will be happy, with every purpose achieved, and will never come to sorrow.

## Translation — Mouseia

> Mouseia’s complete Plain English edition, made independently and directly from the Sanskrit, covering the whole Savitri episode of the Mahabharata (Book 3, chapters 293–300 of the vulgate), 321 verses.

### Chapter 1 (Mahābhārata 3.293)

293.1 Markandeya said:
“Yes, long ago Rama, whose power was immense, suffered
terrible hardship because he had to live in the forest.

293.2 Don't grieve, best of men. You are a warrior who defeats enemies.
You follow the path of relying on the strength of your arms, firm in your decision.

293.3 I cannot see even the smallest wrong in you.
On this path even the gods, including Indra, and the demons would be brought low.

293.4 Indra, holding the thunderbolt, killed Vritra with the help of the Maruts.
He also killed the hard-to-defeat Namuchi and the demoness Dirghajihva.

293.5 With helpers, people succeed in every undertaking.
How could anyone defeat a man whose brother is Dhananjaya?

293.6 Here is Bhima, strongest of the strong and formidable in action,
and the two young, brave, great archers born to Madri.

293.7 With these helpers, why are you discouraged, conqueror of enemies?
They could defeat Indra's army together with all the Maruts.

293.8 With these great archers, who look like gods, helping you,
you too will defeat all your enemies in battle, best of the Bharatas.

293.9 Look also at Draupadi: that evil king of Sindhu,
strong and drunk on his own power, carried her away.

293.10 Yet these great men accomplished a very difficult feat and brought her back.
They defeated King Jayadratha and brought him under their control.

293.11 Rama brought Sita back without human helpers,
after killing the fearsome ten-headed demon in battle.

293.12 His friends were tree-dwelling monkeys, bears, and dark-faced creatures,
beings of a different kind from him, king. Think this over carefully.

293.13 So do everything you must, best of the Kurus, and don't grieve, best of the Bharatas.
Great people like you do not grieve, conqueror of enemies.”

293.14 Vaishampayana said:
After wise Markandeya encouraged him in this way, the king
put aside his sorrow and spoke to him again without losing heart.

### Chapter 2 (Mahābhārata 3.294)

294.1 Yudhishthira said:
“Great sage, I do not grieve for myself or my brothers,
or even for the loss of our kingdom, as much as for this daughter of Drupada.

294.2 When evil men tormented us at dice, Draupadi saved us.
Then Jayadratha forcibly carried her off from the forest.

294.3 Has anyone ever seen or heard of a married woman
as devoted to her husband and as admirable as Drupada's daughter?”

294.4 Markandeya said:
“Listen, Yudhishthira, to the story of a remarkable woman of a good family:
what happened to the princess Savitri, from beginning to end.

294.5 In Madra there was a king who lived by what was right and was deeply devoted to it.
He respected the priests, was generous, kept his word, and controlled his senses.

294.6 He performed sacrifices, gave freely, and was capable and loved by his people.
This king was named Ashvapati, and he cared for the welfare of every living being.

294.7 He was patient, spoke truthfully, controlled his senses, but had no children.
As he grew older, this caused him distress.

294.8 To have a child, he undertook a strict discipline.
He ate a limited amount at set times, lived without sex, and controlled his senses.

294.9 Best of kings, he made a hundred thousand offerings to the goddess Savitri.
At that time he ate sparingly, once every sixth day.

294.10 He kept this practice for eighteen years.
When the eighteenth year ended, Savitri was pleased.

294.11 King, she appeared in visible form to the king,
rising out of the sacrificial fire, filled with great joy.

294.12 The goddess Savitri, who could grant a wish, then spoke
to King Ashvapati, who was keeping his religious discipline:

294.13 ‘I am pleased with your chastity, your self-control and observances,
and your devotion with your whole being, king.

294.14 Choose whatever gift you want, Ashvapati, king of Madra.
But you must never neglect what is right.’

294.15 Ashvapati said:
‘To have children, I undertook this practice out of a wish to do what is right.
Goddess, may I have many sons to continue my family.

294.16 If you are pleased with me, goddess, that is the gift I choose.
The twice-born priests tell me that having children is a person's highest duty.’

294.17 Savitri said:
‘King, I knew already that this was your wish,
and I spoke to the revered Brahma, the grandfather of all, about your desire for sons.

294.18 With his favor, I myself have arranged this for you.
Good man, you will soon have a daughter who shines with strength.

294.19 You must not say anything more in reply.
I am pleased, and I tell you this at Brahma's command.’

294.20 The king accepted Savitri's words, saying, ‘So be it.’
He again asked for her favor, that this might happen soon.

294.21 When Savitri vanished, the king went back to his city.
The brave man lived in his kingdom and ruled his people justly.

294.22 Some time later the king, faithful to his vows,
gave his eldest queen, who also lived rightly, a child to carry.

294.23 The child grew in the princess's womb, best of the Bharatas,
like the lord of the stars, the moon, growing bright in the sky.

294.24 In due time she gave birth to a lotus-eyed daughter.
The excellent king joyfully performed the rites for her.

294.25 Because the pleased goddess Savitri had given the child, and because she was obtained through the Savitri offering,
the priests and her father named her Savitri.

294.26 The princess grew as if she were prosperity in human form.
In time the girl reached young adulthood.

294.27 When people saw her narrow waist and broad hips, like a golden statue,
they thought a daughter of the gods had arrived.

294.28 Though her eyes were like lotus petals and she seemed to shine with energy,
no one asked to marry her: her brilliance held them back.

294.29 One festival day, after fasting and washing her hair, she approached the deity,
made the prescribed offering in the fire, and had the priests recite blessings.

294.30 Then, carrying the flowers left from the offerings,
the noble young woman went to her father, looking like prosperity in person.

294.31 She bowed at her father's feet and first offered him the remaining flowers.
Then the beautiful woman stood beside the king with her hands joined.

294.32 The king saw that his own daughter, as lovely as a goddess, had grown up
but no suitor had asked for her. He was distressed.

294.33 The king said:
‘Daughter, it is time to give you in marriage, but no one asks me for your hand.
Find a husband yourself who matches your good qualities.

294.34 Tell me which man you would like to marry.
I will consider him and give you to him. Choose whomever you wish.

294.35 I have heard the priests recite this teaching about what is right.
Dear daughter, listen now to what I say.

294.36 A father who does not give his daughter in marriage deserves blame, as does a husband who does not have relations with his wife.
When her father dies, a son who fails to protect his mother also deserves blame.

294.37 Having heard me, go and look for a husband.
Act so that I will not be blamed before the gods.’

294.38 After speaking to his daughter, he instructed the elderly ministers too.
He ordered an escort and urged them to leave.

294.39 She bowed at her father's feet, feeling shy despite her firm mind.
Obeying his words, she left without further thought.

294.40 She rode in a golden chariot with the older ministers
and visited the pleasant forest retreats of royal sages.

294.41 There she bowed at the feet of the elders worthy of respect.
Dear king, she visited all those forests, one after another.

294.42 At every sacred place the princess gave wealth
to the leading priests, visiting one region after another.

### Chapter 3 (Mahābhārata 3.295)

295.1 Markandeya said:
“The king of Madra was seated in his court talking
with Narada when this happened, descendant of Bharata.

295.2 After visiting all the sacred places and forest retreats,
Savitri came back to her father's home with the ministers.

295.3 She saw her father sitting with Narada
and respectfully bowed her head at both their feet.

295.4 Narada said:
‘Where has your daughter been, king, and where has she returned from?
Why have you not yet given this young woman in marriage, good man?’

295.5 Ashvapati said:
‘I sent her away for just that purpose, and she has returned today.
Divine sage, hear which husband she has chosen.’

295.6 Markandeya said:
“Her father told her, ‘Tell us everything.’
She agreed at once and said this:

295.7 ‘Among the Shalvas there was a king of the warrior class who lived rightly.
His name was Dyumatsena, and later he went blind.

295.8 While his son was still a child, an old enemy in the neighboring lands
used his loss of sight as an opportunity to seize his kingdom.

295.9 He set off for the forest with his wife, who had a young son.
They reached the great forest, where he followed a strict life of religious discipline.

295.10 His son was born in the city but grew up in the forest retreat.
I have chosen Satyavan as the husband who suits me.’

295.11 Narada said:
‘King, what a terrible mistake Savitri has made without knowing it,
in choosing the capable Satyavan!

295.12 His father speaks the truth, and so does his mother.
That is why the priests named him Satyavan, which means truthful.

295.13 As a boy he loved horses and made clay horses.
He also drew pictures of them, and people called him Chitrashva, the horse-painter.

295.14 The king said:
‘Is this prince Satyavan strong and wise?
Is he patient and brave, and does he love his father?’

295.15 Narada said:
‘He shines like the sun and is as wise as Brihaspati.
He is brave like great Indra and patient like the earth.’

295.16 Ashvapati said:
‘Is the prince Satyavan generous and respectful of priests?
Is he good-looking, noble, and pleasant to look at?’

295.17 Narada said:
‘He gives as generously as Rantideva of the Sankriti family, to the extent of his means.
Like Shibi, son of Ushinara, he respects priests and tells the truth.

295.18 He is noble like Yayati and as pleasant to look at as the moon.
Dyumatsena's strong son is as handsome as either of the Ashvin twins.

295.19 He is generous, strong, intelligent, and patient.
He is self-controlled, gentle, brave, truthful, and controls his senses.
He keeps good friendships, envies no one, is modest, and shines with strength.

295.20 He is always straightforward and steady.
That is how the elders, experienced in discipline and good conduct, describe him in brief.’

295.21 Ashvapati said:
‘You tell me, sir, that he has every good quality.
Tell me about his faults too, if he has any.’

295.22 Narada said:
‘He has just one fault, but it outweighs his good qualities.
No amount of effort can overcome it.

295.23 He has one fault and no other: one year from today,
Satyavan's life will end, and he will die.’

295.24 The king said:
‘Come, Savitri, go choose someone else, my dear.
His one great fault outweighs his good qualities.

295.25 As the revered Narada, honored by the gods, tells me,
his short life will end in a year, and he will die.’

295.26 Savitri said:
‘An inheritance is divided once, a daughter is given in marriage once,
and a person says “I give” once. Each of these happens just once.

295.27 Whether his life is long or short, whether he has good qualities or lacks them,
I have chosen my husband once, and I will not choose another.

295.28 First a person decides in the mind, then says it aloud,
and then acts. My mind is the authority for me.’

295.29 Narada said:
‘Your daughter Savitri's mind is set, best of men.
She cannot be turned away from this course, which is right.

295.30 No other man has Satyavan's good qualities.
I therefore approve of giving your daughter to him.’

295.31 The king said:
‘What you have said is true and cannot be changed.
I will do so, for you are my teacher, sir.’

295.32 Narada said:
‘May there be no obstacle to your daughter Savitri's marriage.
I will leave now. May all of you be well.’

295.33 Markandeya said:
“After saying this, Narada flew up to heaven.
The king prepared everything needed for his daughter's wedding.”

### Chapter 4 (Mahābhārata 3.296)

296.1 Markandeya said:
“When the time came to give his daughter in marriage, the king thought about this matter
and gathered everything needed for the wedding.

296.2 He called all the elderly priests, officiants, court members, and family priests,
and on an auspicious day he set out with his daughter.

296.3 The king went to the sacred forest and reached Dyumatsena's retreat.
He approached the royal sage on foot, with the priests.

296.4 There he saw the respected, blind king
sitting on a grass mat beside a shala tree.

296.5 The king offered the royal sage the honor he deserved.
Speaking carefully, he introduced himself.

296.6 The king who knew what was right offered him water for a guest, a seat, and a cow,
and asked the other king why he had come.

296.7 Ashvapati explained everything he intended and what he wanted to do
concerning Satyavan, leaving nothing out.

296.8 ‘Royal sage, this beautiful daughter of mine is named Savitri.
Take her as your daughter-in-law in the proper way, you who know what is right.’

296.9 Dyumatsena said:
‘We have lost our kingdom and live in the forest,
following our duties with the strict discipline of forest dwellers.
How can your daughter, who is not used to life in a forest retreat,
endure these hardships?’

296.10 Ashvapati said:
‘My daughter and I both understand that life brings
happiness and unhappiness, prosperity and loss.
You should not say this to someone like me.
I came to you after making a firm decision, king.

296.11 You must not disappoint my hopes when I have approached you as a friend and bowed before you.
I have come to you with affection; don't turn me away.

296.12 We suit each other well, you and I.
Accept my daughter as your daughter-in-law and as Satyavan's wife.’

296.13 Dyumatsena said:
‘I had wanted our families to be joined before.
But I held back because I had lost my kingdom.

296.14 Let what I wanted from the start happen today.
You are a welcome guest to me.’

296.15 The two kings called together all the priests who lived in the retreat
and had them perform the marriage according to custom.

296.16 Ashvapati gave his daughter away with suitable possessions
and went home filled with great joy.

296.17 Satyavan was delighted to gain a wife with every good quality.
She was just as happy to gain the husband she had wanted.

296.18 After her father left, she put away all her jewelry
and took up clothing made of bark and dyed cloth.

296.19 By serving them, behaving well, showing respect and self-control,
and doing everything they needed, she pleased them all.

296.20 She cared for her mother-in-law's bodily needs, including clothing,
and honored her father-in-law like a god, taking care with what she said.

296.21 She also pleased her husband with kind words and skill, calmness,
and her care for him when they were alone.

296.22 As these good people lived in the retreat
and followed their disciplined lives, some time passed, descendant of Bharata.

296.23 But Savitri grew weak. Day and night, as time went on,
Narada's words stayed in her mind.”

### Chapter 5 (Mahābhārata 3.297)

297.1 Markandeya said:
“After much time had passed, king,
the day on which Satyavan would die arrived.

297.2 Savitri had been counting each passing day.
What Narada had said always stayed in her heart.

297.3 Thinking that he would die on the fourth day,
she began a three-night vow, standing without rest day and night.

297.4 ‘Fasting on the thirteenth day and breaking the fast on the first day,
one increases one's husband's life by this vow, descendant of Bharata.’

297.5 When the king heard of her difficult observance, he was deeply upset.
He stood up and spoke to Savitri, trying to comfort her.

297.6 ‘Princess, what you have begun is far too hard.
To keep standing through three nights is extremely difficult.’

297.7 Savitri said:
‘Father, don't worry. I will complete my vow.
I made a firm decision, and determination is what makes it possible.’

297.8 Dyumatsena said:
‘I could never tell you to break your vow.
Someone like me should say, “Finish it.”’

297.9 Markandeya said:
“After saying this, generous Dyumatsena fell silent.
Savitri remained standing, looking like a wooden post.

297.10 With her husband's death due the next day, best of the Bharatas,
the distressed Savitri spent the night standing.

297.11 ‘Today is the day,’ she thought. She made an offering in the blazing fire
when the sun had risen the height of a yoke, and completed her morning rites.

297.12 ‘Famous Savitri completed her vow and bathed to become clean.’
Then she bowed to all the elderly priests and to her husband's mother and father,
in order, and stood respectfully before them with joined hands.

297.13 All the disciplined people who lived in the forest retreat
kindly blessed Savitri, wishing that she would never lose her husband.

297.14 Savitri, intent on meditation and disciplined practice,
accepted all these blessings silently in her mind, thinking, ‘May it be so.’

297.15 The princess waited for the appointed moment,
full of sorrow as she remembered Narada's words.

297.16 Then her father-in-law and mother-in-law spoke affectionately
to the princess, who was standing apart, best of the Bharatas.

297.17 ‘You have completed your vow as prescribed.
The time to eat has come. Do what follows.’

297.18 Savitri said:
‘I will eat when the sun sets and my wish has been fulfilled.
That is my settled intention and the promise I have made.’

297.19 Markandeya said:
“While Savitri was talking about eating,
Satyavan took his ax on his shoulder and set out for the forest.

297.20 Savitri said to her husband, ‘You must not go alone.
I will go with you; I cannot bear to be apart from you.’

297.21 Satyavan said:
‘You have never been in the forest, dear one, and the path is hard.
You are weak from fasting. How will you walk there?’

297.22 Savitri said:
‘The fast has not made me weak, and I am not tired.
I am determined to go. Please don't stop me.’

297.23 Satyavan said:
‘If you are eager to go, I will do as you wish.
But ask my parents for permission so I won't be at fault.’

297.24 Markandeya said:
“She bowed and spoke to her husband's mother and father:
‘My husband is going into the great forest to gather food and fruit.

297.25 I would like you both to allow me
to go out with him. I cannot bear to be apart from him today.

297.26 Your son is leaving to meet his parents' needs and tend the sacrificial fire;
he cannot be stopped. You could stop him if he were going for some other reason.

297.27 I have not left this retreat for almost a year.
I very much want to see the forest in flower.’

297.28 Dyumatsena said:
‘Ever since her father gave Savitri to me as a daughter-in-law,
I cannot remember her asking for anything.

297.29 Let her have what she wants.
Daughter, be careful on the path with Satyavan.’

297.30 Markandeya said:
“With their permission, the respected Savitri went with her husband,
smiling outwardly while her heart was breaking.

297.31 The wide-eyed woman saw forests of many kinds,
beautiful everywhere and filled with peacocks.

297.32 Satyavan kindly said to Savitri, ‘Look at the streams of pure water
and the fine trees in flower.’

297.33 But she watched her husband at every step.
Remembering the sage's words, she already thought of him as dead.

297.34 Walking gently, she followed her husband,
her mind divided between watching him and watching for the appointed time.”

### Chapter 6 (Mahābhārata 3.298)

298.1 Markandeya said:
“With his wife's help, Satyavan gathered fruit
and filled his basket, then chopped wood.

298.2 As he chopped the wood, he began to sweat.
The exertion caused a pain in his head.

298.3 Worn out, he went to his beloved wife and said,
‘This work has given me a headache.

298.4 Savitri, my limbs and my heart ache too.
Gentle woman, I feel unwell.

298.5 It feels as though sharp points are piercing my head.
The whole world seems to spin, and so does my mind.
Dear one, I want to sleep. I cannot keep standing.’

298.6 Savitri came to her husband,
put his head on her lap, and sat down on the ground.

298.7 Remembering Narada's words, the disciplined woman
calculated the hour, the instant, the time, and the day.

298.8 ‘The time has come,’ she thought in distress.
A moment later she saw a man in red clothes,
wearing a crown, handsome and as bright as the sun.

298.9 He was dark yet radiant, with red eyes and a rope in his hand, a frightening sight.
He stood beside Satyavan and looked directly at him.

298.10 She gently set her husband's head down and stood up suddenly at the sight.
With trembling heart and joined hands, she spoke in distress:

298.11 ‘I know you are a god; this form is not human.
Lord, please tell me who you are and what you intend to do.’

298.12 Yama said:
‘Savitri, you are devoted to your husband and practice religious discipline.
That is why I speak to you. Good woman, know that I am Yama.’

298.13 ‘Your husband Satyavan, the prince, has reached the end of his life.
I will bind him and take him away. That is why I have come.’

298.14 Savitri said:
‘Lord, I have heard that your messengers come to take human beings away.
Why have you come in person, my lord?’

298.15 Markandeya said:
“Asked this, the lord who rules the dead began to explain fully
what he intended to do, out of kindness to her.

298.16 ‘He lives by what is right, is handsome, and has many good qualities.
My servants do not deserve to take him, so I have come myself.’

298.17 Then Yama forcibly pulled from Satyavan's body a person
no bigger than a thumb, bound in his rope and under his control.

298.18 Once his life and breath were taken, the body lost its radiance.
It lay motionless and was painful to look at.

298.19 Yama bound the little person and set out southward.
Distressed Savitri followed Yama.

298.20 The disciplined, slender woman laid out her husband's body,
and followed after her husband in his present state.
She was accomplished in her vows, honored, and devoted to him.

298.21 Yama said:
‘Turn back, Savitri. Go and perform his funeral rites.
You have fulfilled your duty to your husband; you have gone as far as you may.’

298.22 Savitri said:
‘Wherever my husband is taken, or wherever he goes himself,
I must go too. This is an enduring rule of what is right.

298.23 Because of my discipline, my respect for my elders, my love for my husband, and my vow,
and with your favor, nothing can stop my passage.

298.24 The wise, who understand the truth, say that walking seven steps together makes people friends.
Now I speak to you as a friend; hear what I have to say.

298.25 Those who lack self-control live in the forest
and undertake duties, live there, and labor there without understanding.
People who know the truth explain what is right through knowledge.
That is why good people say that right conduct matters most.

298.26 All of us follow the path of what is right,
as good people understand it.
I do not seek a second or a third path.
That is why good people say that right conduct matters most.’

298.27 Yama said:
‘Turn back. I am pleased by your words,
whose sounds, syllables, and reasoning are well formed.
Choose a gift, anything except this man's life;
I will grant it to you, blameless woman.’

298.28 Savitri said:
‘My father-in-law lost his kingdom and took refuge in the forest.
He is blind and lives in the retreat.
By your favor, let the king see again and be strong,
bright like the sun and fire.’

298.29 Yama said:
‘I grant the gift you asked for, blameless woman.
It will happen just as you said.
You seem tired from the journey.
Turn back, so you will not exhaust yourself.’

298.30 Savitri said:
‘How could I be tired while I am near my husband?
Where my husband goes, that is surely where I go.
I will go wherever you take him.
Lord of gods, listen to me again.

298.31 Even one meeting with good people is valued highly;
beyond that, people speak of friendship.
A meeting with a good person is never fruitless.
That is why one should keep company with good people.’

298.32 Yama said:
‘Your helpful words please my mind
and strengthen the understanding of the wise.
Choose a second gift, good woman,
anything except Satyavan's life.’

298.33 Savitri said:
‘Let my wise father-in-law recover his own kingdom,
which was taken from him long ago.
And let this respected elder never abandon what is right.
This is the second gift I ask of you.’

298.34 Yama said:
‘The king will soon regain his kingdom
and will not fall away from his duty.
I have fulfilled your wish, princess.
Turn back so you will not exhaust yourself.’

298.35 Savitri said:
‘You hold these living beings under your laws,
and govern and guide them according to your will.
That is why you are known as Yama, the one who governs.
Now listen to my words.

298.36 Never harming any living being in action, thought, or speech,
and giving help and gifts: this is the lasting practice of good people.

298.37 Many people are weak and can only do so much.
But good people show kindness even to enemies who come to them for help.’

298.38 Yama said:
‘Your words are like water
for a thirsty person.
Choose whatever gift you wish, good woman,
except Satyavan's life.’

298.39 Savitri said:
‘My father the king has no children of his own.
May he have a hundred sons born to him,
so that his family line continues.
This is the third gift I ask you for.’

298.40 Yama said:
‘Good woman, your father shall have a hundred sons
who will carry on his line and shine with strength.
Your wish is granted, princess.
Turn back; you have come a long way.’

298.41 Savitri said:
‘When I am near my husband, this does not seem far to me;
my mind runs much farther still.
As you continue on your way,
listen to me speak again.

298.42 You are the mighty son of Vivasvat, the sun;
that is why wise people call you Vaivasvata.
You govern living beings by a law that treats everyone equally;
that is why you are also the King of Dharma, lord of what is right.

298.43 People do not trust themselves as much as they trust good people.
That is why everyone especially wants affection from good people.

298.44 Trust among living beings grows out of friendship.
That is why people put particular trust in good people.’

298.45 Yama said:
‘Good woman, I have never heard anyone but you
speak the way you just did.
You have pleased me. Choose a fourth gift,
anything except his life, and go.’

298.46 Savitri said:
‘May Satyavan and I together have a hundred sons,
children of our own who will continue our families.
Let them be strong and brave.
That is the fourth gift I ask of you.’

298.47 Yama said:
‘You will have a hundred strong, brave sons
who will bring you joy, gentle woman.
Do not wear yourself out, princess.
Turn back; you have come a long way.’

298.48 Savitri said:
‘Good people always follow lasting rules of right conduct.
They do not give up or give way to fear.
Meeting other good people is never fruitless for them.
Good people do not fear other good people.

298.49 Good people guide the sun by speaking truth.
Through their discipline they support the earth.
They are a refuge for past and future, king;
good people do not fail when surrounded by good people.

298.50 They know that this is the lasting way honorable people act.
When good people help others, they do not expect anything in return.

298.51 The kindness of good people is never wasted;
nor do their resources or their honor disappear.
These qualities remain constant among them.
That is why good people protect others.’

298.52 Yama said:
‘The more you speak these pleasing,
well-chosen words full of meaning about what is right,
the greater my regard for you becomes.
Choose an incomparable gift, devoted wife.’

298.53 Savitri said:
‘Honored lord, you have not made this last gift conditional,
as you made the others.
I choose this gift: let Satyavan live;
without my husband, I am as good as dead.

298.54 Without my husband, I want no happiness.
Without him, I want no heaven.
Without him, I want no wealth.
I do not intend to live without my husband.

298.55 You yourself granted me a hundred sons,
but now you are taking my husband away.
I choose this gift: let Satyavan live,
and your own words will come true.’

298.56 Markandeya said:
“Yama, son of Vivasvat and King of Dharma, said, ‘So be it.’
Gladly releasing his rope, he spoke to Savitri:

298.57 ‘Good woman, I have released your husband, the joy of his family.
Your words about what is right have pleased me, faithful wife.

298.58 He will be healthy and fulfill his purposes.
He will live with you for four hundred years.

298.59 He will perform sacrifices according to what is right and become famous in the world.
Satyavan will father a hundred sons with you.

298.60 All of them will be kings of the warrior class, with children and grandchildren.
They will bear your name and be renowned for generations.

298.61 Your father will have a hundred sons by your mother, Malavi.
They will be called the Malavas and will have children and grandchildren.
Your brothers will be warriors like the gods.

298.62 After granting her these gifts, mighty Yama
sent Savitri back and went to his own home.

298.63 Once Yama had gone and she had recovered her husband,
Savitri went to the place where his lifeless body lay.

298.64 Seeing her husband on the ground, she approached and held him.
She sat on the ground and raised his head onto her lap.

298.65 He regained consciousness and spoke to Savitri,
looking at her again and again with love, as if returning from a long journey.

298.66 ‘I have slept for a long time. Why didn't you wake me?
Where is that dark man who dragged me away?’

298.67 Savitri said:
‘You slept for a long time on my lap, best of men.
The divine Yama, who rules living beings, has gone.

298.68 You have rested and are awake now, prince.
Get up if you can; see how dark the night has grown.’

298.69 Markandeya said:
“Regaining consciousness, Satyavan rose as if from a good sleep.
He looked around at every part of the forest and said:

298.70 ‘I went out with you to gather fruit, dear wife.
Then, while chopping wood, I felt pain in my head.

298.71 My head hurt so badly I could not keep standing.
I slept on your lap; I remember all of that, dear one.

298.72 While you held me, sleep took my awareness away.
Then I saw terrible darkness and a very powerful man.

298.73 If you know what happened, tell me, dear wife.
Did I see a dream, or did it really happen?’

298.74 Savitri said to him, ‘Night is growing deep.
Prince, I will tell you all that happened tomorrow.

298.75 Get up, get up. May you be well, and go see your parents, faithful man.
It is deep night and the sun has set.

298.76 Nocturnal creatures are out, calling harshly in excitement.
We can hear leaves rustling as animals move through the forest.

298.77 Those frightening jackals are howling terribly
in the southwest; their calls make my heart tremble.’

298.78 Satyavan said:
‘The forest looks dangerous, wrapped in thick darkness.
You will not find the path and will not be able to walk.’

298.79 Savitri said:
‘A dry tree in this forest is burning from an earlier fire.
The wind feeds it, and flames can be seen here and there.

298.80 I will bring some fire from it and make a fire here.
There is wood here. Don't worry.

298.81 If you cannot walk—I can see you are in pain—
and cannot find the path in the dark forest,

298.82 we can go tomorrow morning, when we can see through the forest, if you agree.
Let us spend this one night here, if you wish.’

298.83 Satyavan said:
‘My headache is gone, and my limbs feel normal.
With your help I want to see my parents.

298.84 I have never stayed away from the retreat so late.
If I am not home by dusk, my mother stops me from going out again.

298.85 Even if I leave in the daytime, my parents worry.
My father looks for me together with the others at the retreat.

298.86 My mother and father have often been very upset with me
and scolded me for coming back late.

298.87 I keep thinking about how they must feel now because of me.
Not seeing me will bring them great sorrow.

298.88 In the past, my elderly parents, weeping at night,
have often said to me in their deep distress and love:

298.89 “Son, we could not live even a moment without you.
As long as you live, son, we can be sure of living too.

298.90 You are your old, blind parents' sight and the support of our line.
You make our funeral offerings, our reputation, and our descendants possible.”

298.91 My mother and father are old, and I am their walking stick.
What will happen to them tonight when they cannot find me?

298.92 I am angry at the sleep that has put my father
and my innocent mother in danger because of me.

298.93 I am in danger myself, facing a painful crisis.
I do not want to live without my parents.

298.94 My father sees with his mind; surely his thoughts are troubled.
At this very moment he must be asking each person at the retreat about me.

298.95 Dear woman, I do not grieve for myself as much as for my father
and my deeply distressed mother, who followed her husband into exile.

298.96 May they not suffer terrible distress because of me tonight.
I live to support them while they live; I must care for them.

298.97 I live so that I may do what pleases them.
They are the highest objects of my respect; I must always honor them.
I have always kept this vow toward them.’

298.98 Markandeya said:
“After saying this, the good man who loved and respected his parents
raised his arms and cried aloud in distress.

298.99 Seeing her husband worn down by sorrow,
Savitri, who lived rightly, wiped away his tears with her hands and said:

298.100 ‘If I have practiced discipline, given gifts, or made offerings,
may this night bring good to my husband's parents and to my husband.

298.101 I cannot remember ever lying, even when I was joking.
By the power of this truth, may my husband's parents live tonight.’

298.102 Satyavan said:
‘I want to see my parents. Savitri, let's go without delay.
If only I may see both my parents alive!’

298.103 ‘If I find that anything bad has happened to my mother or father,
I will not live, dear woman. I swear this is true.’

298.104 ‘If you care about doing what is right, about keeping me alive,
or about pleasing me, let us go to the nearby retreat.’

298.105 Markandeya said:
“Savitri stood up and arranged her hair.
She held her husband by both arms and helped him stand.

298.106 Satyavan stood up and rubbed his limbs with his hands.
He looked in every direction and then toward the fruit basket.

298.107 Savitri said to him, ‘You can collect the fruit tomorrow.
I will carry your ax, which we need for our livelihood.’

298.108 She hung the heavy basket on a tree branch,
took the ax, and came back to her husband.

298.109 The graceful woman put her husband's arm across her left shoulder,
held him with her right arm, and walked with a steady gait.

298.110 Satyavan said:
‘I know these paths from walking them often, dear one.
I can see the way by moonlight between the trees.

298.111 Go back along the path we took here to gather fruit.
Follow the way we came, dear one; don't worry about the path.

298.112 The path divides here among the palasha trees.
Take the northern path and hurry.

298.113 I feel well and strong, and I want to see both my parents.’
Still speaking, he hurried toward the retreat.

### Chapter 7 (Mahābhārata 3.299)

299.1 Markandeya said:
“At that very time, the powerful Dyumatsena regained his sight.
His vision cleared and he could see everything.

299.2 With his wife Shaibya he went to every retreat.
He was in great distress over his son, best of the Bharatas.

299.3 That night the couple searched the retreats, the streams,
the woods, and the lakes, looking for him.

299.4 At every sound they lifted their heads, thinking it was their son.
‘Satyavan is coming with Savitri,’ they said.

299.5 Their feet were cut and scraped, wounded and bloody.
Grass and thorns pierced their bodies as they ran about like people out of their minds.

299.6 All the priests living in the retreat ran to them,
surrounded and comforted them, and brought them back to their own retreat.

299.7 There, with his wife and the older people devoted to disciplined practice around him,
the king received comfort through many stories about kings of the past.

299.8 The two old people calmed down, but then longed to see their son.
They remembered his childhood ways and their meetings with Savitri.
Thinking of these things together, they grew deeply sad again.

299.9 ‘Our son! Our good daughter-in-law! Where are you?’ they cried.
One of the priests, whose words were true, spoke to them.

299.10 Suvarcha said:
‘Because his wife Savitri is disciplined, self-controlled,
and well behaved, Satyavan is alive.’

299.11 Gautama said:
‘I have studied the Vedas and their branches, and practiced great discipline.
I kept my chastity from childhood and pleased my teachers and the sacred fire.

299.12 With a focused mind I have kept all my vows.
I have always fasted as prescribed, taking nothing but air.

299.13 This discipline lets me know everything others plan to do.
Believe this truth: Satyavan is alive.’

299.14 A student said:
‘My teacher's words have never proved false.
He has spoken, so Satyavan is alive.’

299.15 The sages said:
‘His wife Savitri has every good quality
that keeps a woman from becoming a widow. Satyavan is alive.’

299.16 Bharadvaja said:
‘His wife Savitri practices discipline and self-control
and behaves well. Satyavan is alive.’

299.17 Dalbhya said:
‘You have regained your sight, and Savitri has kept her vow.
She left without eating; Satyavan is alive.’

299.18 Apastamba said:
‘Animals and birds are calling calmly in a peaceful quarter,
and your royal fortunes are increasing. Satyavan is alive.’

299.19 Dhaumya said:
‘Your son has every good quality, is loved by the people,
and shows the signs of a long life. Satyavan is alive.’

299.20 Markandeya said:
“These disciplined men, who spoke truthfully, comforted him.
He went over each of their words and grew calmer.

299.21 Soon afterward Savitri arrived at the retreat at night
with her husband Satyavan, and they entered gladly.

299.22 At the sight, all the priests sprang up in joy.
His mother and father embraced him around the neck and cried.

299.23 The priests said:
‘Seeing you reunited with your son and able to see again,
we all ask about your good fortune, king.

299.24 You have three reasons to celebrate: being reunited with your son,
seeing Savitri, and regaining your sight.

299.25 Everything we said has proved true; there is no doubt.
You will soon enjoy still more good fortune.’

299.26 Markandeya said:
“All the priests lit a fire there, descendant of Pritha,
and sat with King Dyumatsena.

299.27 Shaibya, Satyavan, and Savitri stayed together to one side.
With the permission of everyone there, they sat down, free of sorrow.

299.28 Then all the forest dwellers sitting with the king
became curious and questioned the prince, descendant of Pritha.

299.29 ‘Why didn't you come back earlier with your wife, sir?
Why have you come so late at night? What held you back?

299.30 Your mother and father were worried, and so were we, prince.
We do not know why this happened. You must tell us everything.’

299.31 Satyavan said:
‘My father gave me permission to go with Savitri.
Then, as I was chopping wood in the forest, my head began to hurt.

299.32 I think the pain made me sleep for a long time.
I had never slept for so long before.

299.33 I returned late so that none of you would worry about me.
There is no other reason.’

299.34 Gautama said:
‘Your father Dyumatsena has suddenly regained his sight.
You do not know how it happened. Savitri should tell us.’

299.35 ‘I want to hear you, Savitri, because you know what is near and far.
Savitri, I know you shine with power like the goddess Savitri.

299.36 You know what caused this, so tell us the truth.
If it is not a secret, tell us something about it.’

299.37 Savitri said:
‘You have understood correctly; your thought is not mistaken.
I have no secret. Hear the truth of what happened.

299.38 The great Narada told me when my husband would die.
That day came today, so I did not leave his side.

299.39 As he slept, Yama himself came with his servants.
He bound him and took him south, to the region of the dead.

299.40 I spoke truthful words in praise of that mighty god.
He gave me five gifts. Listen to what they were.

299.41 Two gifts were for my father-in-law: his sight and his kingdom.
My father was granted a hundred sons, and I too was granted a hundred sons.

299.42 I also got Satyavan back as my husband, with a life of four hundred years.
I kept this vow for the sake of my husband's life.

299.43 Now I have told you the whole reason for what happened:
my great distress, which has ended in happiness.’

299.44 The sages said:
‘Your king's family was sinking under its troubles
into a dark lake.
But your good conduct and your faithful practice, good woman,
have lifted his family back out of it.’

299.45 Markandeya said:
“The gathered sages praised and honored that excellent woman.
Then they said goodbye to the king and his son
and happily returned to their own homes in peace.”

### Chapter 8 (Mahābhārata 3.300)

300.1 Markandeya said:
When the night was over and the sun had come up,
the holy men finished their morning rituals and all met together.

300.2 They kept telling Dyumatsena, over and over,
about Savitri's great good luck, and they never tired of it.

300.3 Then all the king's people came to him from the Shalva country.
They told him that his enemy had been killed by his own minister.

300.4 They said the minister had killed the enemy along with his allies and relatives.
They told him everything that had happened, and that the enemy's army had run away.

300.5 They said that all the people agreed about their own king:
"Whether he can see or not, he should be our king."

300.6 "We were sent here because of this decision, Your Majesty.
These chariots are here for you, and so is your whole army.

300.7 Come with us, Your Majesty, and may all go well for you. Your victory has been announced in the city.
Take back the throne of your father and grandfather, and rule for many years."

300.8 Markandeya said:
When they saw that the king could see again and was strong in body,
they all bowed with their foreheads to the ground, their eyes wide with amazement.

300.9 The king said goodbye respectfully to the old brahmins who lived in the hermitage.
They all honored him, and then he set out for his city.

300.10 Shaibya went too, together with Savitri, with the army all around them.
They rode in a fine carriage with soft coverings, carried by men.

300.11 Then the priests happily crowned Dyumatsena king again,
and they made his noble son the crown prince.

300.12 Much later, Savitri had a hundred sons.
They were brave men who never ran from a fight, and they made her even more famous.

300.13 Her father Ashvapati, king of the Madras, also had a hundred very strong sons with his wife Malavi.
They were Savitri's own brothers.

300.14 In this way Savitri rescued everyone from their troubles:
herself, her father and mother, her husband's mother and father, and her husband's whole family.

300.15 In the same way, this good Draupadi, who is respected for her character,
comes from a good family like Savitri, and she will save all of you.

300.16 Vaishampayana said:
So the great sage comforted the Pandava king in this way.
Then Yudhishthira stayed on in the Kamyaka forest, no longer sad or troubled, Your Majesty.

300.17 Anyone who listens with devotion to this wonderful story of Savitri
will be happy, will get everything he hopes for, and will never suffer.