HOW DEATH WAS CONQUERED

HOW DEATH WAS CONQUERED

Long, long ago there lived in the land of Madra a good and kind king called Ashvapati, Lord of Horses, who was very near to his people. He had a daughter named Savitri.

She quickly grew into a beautiful girl. One day her father said to her : "You are now old enough to marry. Go. and choose the husband you would like."

So Savitri visited the holy places in a golden chariot. One day, as she was passing through a forest, she saw a tall, handsome young man cutting wood. As soon as she saw him, her heart was filled with live here was her future husband ; she made up her mind to marry him and no one else.  

She sent her servants to ask who he was. Soon they returned and told her that his name was Satyavan and that he lived with his old parents in the forest His father who was blind was king  but his enemy had driven him from his throne.

Satyanvean looked liked a poor wood-cutter, but his did not matter to Savitrit She felt that he was the man of her heart. she at once went home  to tell her father about her future husband. When she arrived at the royal palace, she found her father talking to a holy man named Narada. 

She told her father that she had chosen for her future husband a young man named Satyavan. 

He was the son of a blind king whom an enemy had driven out into the forest. 

The king was very sorry to learn that his daughter had chosen a poor wood-cutter for her husband. He said to Savitri : "A king's daughter should not marry a wood-cutter." 

But Savitri said :  "I have chosen him for my husband. I must marry him and no one else."

Then Narada said : "Alas ! "Savitri has made a mistake in choosing this young man."

The king said : "I should like to know whether this young man is wise, patient and brave."

Narada replied : "He is as wise as Brihasparti; as brave as Indra; and as patient as the Earth."

The king asked : "I he generous and good, and does he speak the truth ? Is he handsome and noble ?"

Narda then compared Satyavan with many heroes, and said that he was as noble and brave as they were.

King Ashavpati then said : "You say the young prince has all the virtues. Now tell me what his faults are."

Narada then said : "There is only one defect. There is a curse upon Satyavan. He must die in a year's time."

Then the king said : "O Savitri, go and choose another husband, since Satyavan has this great defect."

But Savitri replied  : "Whether he lives or dies, whather he is rich or poor, Imust marry him. I have chosen Satyavan, and I will choose no other. Let me become a widow : I am not going to change my mind."

When the king saw that Savitri had decided to marry Satyavan, he agreed to the marriage. So Savitri was married to Satyavan and went to live with her husband in the forest.

In the forest, Savitri forgot all the comforts of her royal home, and found great joy in serving her husband and his aged parents. 

But she could not forget what Narada had said Every day Satyavan went into the forest with his axe, while Savitri stayed at home, and did the house work. Every evening the fire burnt outside their hut to give a warm welcome to Satyavan on his return he had no thought of the fate that was coming nearer and nearer, but Savitri's heart grew heavier and heavier.

At last the day came when her husband was to die.

Satyavan was ready to go into the forest to cut firewood. Savitri said that she would go with him, as she could not bear to be alone.

Satyavan replied : "You have never been into the forest, dearest, and the way is difficult. You are weak and tender. How can you come with me ?"

But Savitri said that she was not weak are strong enough to come, I will gladly take you with me."

When they reached the forest, Satyavan as usual began to cut firewood. But soon he returned, and said that he felt a great  pain in his head. Savitri felt very said because she knew that the hour of death had come.

She took Satyavan's head in her lap and tried to fan him. But soon his heart stopped beating, and the colour left his lips. He was dead.
The messengers of Yama, the God of Death, came to take away the soul of Satyavan. But Savitri would not leave her husband's body and so great was her virtue that they would not come near the dead body. So they went away, and told Yama all about Savitri.
Soon Yama came himself. He took Satyavan's soul from his body and went off towards the Kingdom of the Dead.
Savitri followed him. Yama said to her : "Go back, Savitri said : "I must stay with my husband wherever he goes."
Savitri beauty, her sorrow and her great virtue moved Yama. and he said : "I will grant you a favour, but not the life of Satyavan."
Savitri said : " Give my father-in-law his eyesight."
Yama replied  : "So be it virtuous girl. But now go back at once; you are tired already."
But Savitri still followed.
And Yama, not knowing how to get rid of her, again said : "I will grant you another favour, but not the life of Satyavan."
And Savitri said, "Give may father-in-law his kingdom."
Yama granted her wish and said, "Dont't follow me any more ; this is no place ofr you."
But Savitri Still followed.
And Yama, not knowing how to make Savitri go back, said : "Well, I am going to grant you a last favour. Ask it, and then go back."
Savitri quickly said, "Grant me, O lord Yama, that I may be the mother of a hundred sons."
Yama granted her favour, and told her to turn back.
But Savitri seemed to with for something .Then Yama said to her : "Now, why don't you go back now? What are you waiting for ?"
"For my husband," Savitri replied quietly. "You have promised me a hundred sons. For this I need my husband."
Yama stood there, thinking for a moment. He saw that the virtue and wisdom of Savitri had conquered him. So he set the soul of Satyavan free, and blessed Savitri, saying : "Here is your husband, He will be strong and happy for the rest of his life. You will have sons and grandsons and they will make you happy and will be named after you."
When he said this, he went away.
Then Satyavan woke up as if from deep "I have slept so long, Savitri, " he said. "Why didn't you wake me up ? It is already night, and the forest is dark. My parents will be very anxious. Let us go home quickly."
Then Savitri told Satyavan everything. Satyanvan and Savitri then returned home. They were happy to find that the old king could see again and that he had got back his kingdom. Savitri lived be the mother of many brave and noble sons. 
Thus Savirti won her husband back from the God of Death. That's why whenever people praise the virtue of woman, Savitri's  name comes first.