{"id":3728,"date":"2018-11-13T11:36:25","date_gmt":"2018-11-13T11:36:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/?p=3728"},"modified":"2018-11-15T16:41:34","modified_gmt":"2018-11-15T16:41:34","slug":"sto-702-savitri-devotion-to-the-spouse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/further-information-and-teaching-resources-secondary\/dharma\/sto-702-savitri-devotion-to-the-spouse\/","title":{"rendered":"STO-702 \u2013 Savitri (devotion to the spouse)"},"content":{"rendered":"

STO-702-sec<\/a><\/p>\n

The beautiful princess Savitri was now of marriageable age, but no one had come forward to ask for hand. Her father became anxious and arranged for her to travel throughout the local kingdoms to choose a husband for herself.<\/p>\n

She visited cities with wonderful palaces and also simple villages. But throughout her whole journey, she saw only one person who attracted her heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cFather\u201d, she explained on her return, \u201cas we passed by a hermitage in the forest I met a handsome young man name Satyavan. I feel that I have already accepted him as my husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

The king was pleased that Savitri had someone in mind, and he turned to the sage Narada who was his quest at the time. \u201cHave you heard of this Satyavan?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes indeed,\u201d Narada replied. \u201cHe is the son of the deposed King Dyumatsena. The poor king was blind and his enemy took advantage of his disability to capture his country. Since he lost his kingdom, he has been living in exile in the forest with his family.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d the king said.<\/p>\n

Narada continued, \u201cIn some ways, there is no finer match for Savitri than Satyavan. He is intelligent, valiant, patient, wise, liberal and truthful. There is only one thing\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me,\u201d the king requested, \u201cwhat have you to say against him?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Narada replied. \u201cAbsolutely nothing. His only fault is that his life is markedly short. It has been prophesied that from this date he has only one year left to live.\u201d<\/p>\n

The king sat back in his throne, shocked and disappointed. He shook his head and then told to his daughter, \u201cI am afraid this will not make you happy, my dear. Perhaps there was someone else you saw on your journey?\u201d<\/p>\n

Savitri bravely responded, \u201cFather, his life may be short or long; nothing can make me waver in my decision. It is impossible for me to think of another choice for I have already given my heart to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The king was dejected, but nevertheless consented to the marriage arrangements. After the wedding, Savitri went to her husband\u2019s home in the forest, and she too lived as an ascetic. She spent her days in the happy company of both her beloved husband and his parents. But she never forgot Narada\u2019s prediction, and found herself counting each day as it passed.<\/p>\n

One morning, when there were only four days left in the year, Savitri announced to the rest of the family, \u201cI shall be observing a fast for the next three days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, please don\u2019t,\u201d Dyumatsena begged. \u201cIt is not a time of religious observances and there is no need for additional austerities. It is already so difficult for a princess accustomed to life at court to stay in the forest. Please do not make it even more arduous for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Savitri would not be dissuaded. As she fasted, she prayed to the Lord that her husband\u2019s life might be spared. She stayed awake the entire night of the third day as a vigil over her husband. In the morning she still refused to eat anything.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut why not?\u201d King Dyumatsena asked. \u201cYou said that your fast was to last only three days\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI shall eat after the sun sets,\u201d Savitri answered enigmatically.<\/p>\n

At noon Satyavan took his axe and prepared to go into the forest. He was halfway down the path when he realised Savitri was following him. \u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d he asked. \u201cYou have never accompanied me to the forest before.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to come with you today\u201d Savitri said.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut you have been fasting\u201d Satyavan commented. \u201cSurely you must be weak?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNot in the least,\u201d Savitri insisted. \u201cDon\u2019t prevent me from coming with you.\u201d Then she implored Dyumatsena, \u201cPlease tell your son to let me accompany him.\u201d<\/p>\n

The blind king said, \u201cMy son, this is a fair request from your wife. Why not accede to her wishes?\u201d
\nTogether they went deep into the forest. After spending some time gathering fruits and roots, Satyavan begun to cut firewood. Savitri sat nearby and watched him closely.<\/p>\n

The work was exerting and Satyavan was perspiring. Then his axe strokes faltered and he exclaimed, \u2018My vision is blurring and I feel a tremendous headache.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome and take some rest,\u201d Savitri requested. \u201cYou are working too hard.\u201d<\/p>\n

But it was too late, for the axe fell from Satyavan\u2019s hand. His legs gave way. Savitri rushed to catch him and she laid his head in her lap. Looking to the heavens, Savitri called out to the Lord, \u201cPlease do not let my husband be taken from me. He is a righteous man and I love him dearly. Please let his life be saved.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Savitri sat there in the dense forest stroking Satyavan\u2019s feverish brow, a large, dark figure ominously approached. He was dressed in blood-red garments and carried a rope and a club in his hands. His gaze was fixed on Satyavan, and he totally ignored Savitri.<\/p>\n

Savitri deduced that this must be Yama, the personification of death, but she boldly challenged him, \u201cWho are you? What is your business here?\u201d<\/p>\n

This startled Yama; he was not accustomed to being questioned. He replied, \u201cI am Yama, and I have come to take away your husband because his span of life on earth has ended.\u201d Yama cast his rope around Satyavan\u2019s soul and bound it in the noose. He then began to drag it behind as he walked away towards the south.<\/p>\n

Savitri stared for a moment at the lifeless body of her husband lying in her lap, then she stood up and followed Yama.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d Yama said. \u201cYou cannot follow me. Go back and conduct your husband\u2019s funeral.\u201d<\/p>\n

Savitri, however, had no intention of leaving Satyavan. \u201cI have lived the life of virtuous wife,\u201d she said, \u201cTherefore, I have certain rights. I deserve to be in the company of my husband.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yama stopped and said, \u201cI am afraid that is no longer possible. But because your devotion to Satyavan, I cannot send you back empty-handed. You may ask me for a boon \u2013anything, except your husband\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Savitri thought for a moment and said, \u201cLet King Dyumatsena regain his eyesight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo be it,\u201d said Yama. \u201cNow please return home.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yet Savitri would not turn back. She insisted on following Yama.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t you understand?\u201d Yama said, \u201cI am taking your husband\u2019s soul to my court where I will decide his next birth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, I know that,\u201d Savitri said. \u201cIt is my duty to follow my husband wherever he goes. If his soul s to go with you, then allow my soul also to go there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll things must take their course at the proper time,\u201d Yama said. \u201cYou must remain behind.\u201d
\n\u201cBut it is the duty of the great to protect all those who seek assistance,\u201d Savitri said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat you are asking is impossible,\u201d Yama sighed. Never before had he witnessed such commitment. \u201cI cannot allow you to come with me any farther, but I will offer you another boon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Savitri again reflected before requested, \u201cAllow my father-in-law to regain his lost kingdom.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes,\u201d Yama said. \u201cThat shall also happen. Now please go back.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yama walked on, but Savitri continued to follow behind her husband.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes Yama looked back over his shoulder and saw the indomitable Savitri still behind. \u201cListen,\u201d he said in exasperation, \u201cyou positively cannot come any step further. I am taking Satyavan to a dark and terrible place. You don\u2019t belong in that realm of death.\u201d<\/p>\n

Savitri smiled. \u201cA wife\u2019s rightful place is by her husband\u2019s side. I will be happy to go with Satyavan. You have no right to prevent me from performing my duty as a loyal wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

The personification of death then said, \u201cOh noble and virtuous lady, your chastity astounds me. Because you are willing to follow your husband even in his death, I shall offer you one final boon. But do not even think of asking for Satyavan\u2019s life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Savitri then thought for a while and eventually said, \u201cIf, by your previous boons my father-in-law has regained his sight and kingdom, then all I now ask is that he may see my son raised as the future king.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thinking only of how to pacify her, Yama readily agreed to such a simple request. \u201cNow, please you must return home,\u201d he pleaded. \u201cI have done all I can for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Savitri sweetly said to him, \u201cThank you for all your benedictions. But how am I to have a son? You are surely not suggesting that I find another partner when I am still in the company of my beloved husband Satyavan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yama dropped the rope, realising the consequence of his promise. \u201cMy dear lady,\u201d he said, \u201cyou have defeated me. Indeed, I must return the life of your husband to fulfill this boon. Moreover, I am extremely pleased with the love and devotion you have displayed for your husband. All of us must face the consequences of our individual actions and accept the destiny we create for ourselves. But, by the goodness of a pure soul, the Lord may intervene and adjust the circumstances. I can now see that God wishes to bestow a long and happy life for you both.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yama then disappeared.<\/p>\n

Savitri returned to Satyavan\u2019s body in the forest and laid his head on her lap. She fanned him with her sari, reciting prayers of thanksgiving until Satyavan regained consciousness<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

STO-702-sec The beautiful princess Savitri was now of marriageable age, but no one had come forward to ask for hand. Her father became anxious and arranged for her to travel throughout the local kingdoms to choose a husband for herself. She visited cities with wonderful palaces and also simple villages. But throughout her whole journey, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[291],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-dharma"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3728","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3728"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3728\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4172,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3728\/revisions\/4172"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3728"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3728"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iskconeducationalservices.org\/HoH\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3728"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}