The Princess and her chastity

           King Aswapathi, the king of Madura, was pious, virtuous, generous and efficient. His kingdom was prosperous and the people led a happy life. But he was sorrow stricken, being old and childless. For eighteen years he undertook many pilgrimages and performed many rites. He gave offerings to the poor and the needy. He chanted mantras in honour of the Goddess ‘Savitha’ She appeared before him and said “Son, you have pleased me by sincere and whole hearted devotion Ask for a Boon”

           The king was overjoyed and begged the Goddess to bless him with a son. The Goddess said “I bless you with a female child” Having blessed the king the Goddess disappeared.

           Returning to his duties as king, he lived as righteously as before. His eldest wife gave birth in due course to a daughter named ‘Savithri’. She grew with beauty, worthy of a Goddess and the child attained the age for marriage. On an auspicious day, she offered prayers to the Goddess and approached to her father. She touched his feet and in reverence, showered the flowers and stood silent by his side.

           Her beauty saddened him, for none asked him for her hand. He told her simply “Seek a husband and choose for your self” then she visited forests and hermitages instead of kingdoms and palaces.

          She came upon a blind old couple who were looked after by their son, ‘Satyavan’. She chooses ‘Satyavan’ as her husband and told her father about this.

          However the royal Astrogeler predicted, ‘One year after his wedding he will die’ Nevertheless Savithri married him and lived with him in the hut and cared for his old parents. She lived a happy life with chastity. The year drew to its end. As usual ‘Satyavan’ got up early and went into the forest with an axe in hand to gather fruits and firewood. Savithri came to him and said, ‘My mind tells me to stay with you. I would like to accompany you to the forest. “Satyavan was surprised to understand Savithri had never before insisted on her going with him. He thought that there must have been some reason for her to do so. Expressing his surprise, he said, “Dear ‘Savithri” you had never insisted to take you with me before. Why is it that you are doing so, today? 

          Savithri pretend that her request was a casual one. She said, “I have completed all my work. I remain unoccupied, so I thought of coming along with you” this reply of hers convinced ‘Satyavan’. He took her to the forest along with him. Satyavan started gathering fruits and flowers and chopping wood. He was over come by fatigue and his head began to give pain. He wearily came to his beloved and complained of a splitting head ache. She made him sit by her side and lay his head on her thigh. She knew the cause well. She was determined to protect him. Before her appeared a dark and majestic man dressed in silk clothes and seated on a Buffalo. She soon realized that it was ‘Yama’ the Lord of Death. The appearance of ‘Yama’was frightening. He was dark Complexioned. he had a crown on his head and rope in his hand.

          Savithri gently placed her husbands head on the ground,rose and worshipped him reverentially. She asked the reason of his presence there.

          Yama spoke, “I am Yama, I have come to take off ‘Satyavan’ to my “yamaloga”. Yama then drew forth from satyavan’s body his life. Which was no bigger than a thumb. Having done his job. Yama walked away, and savithri followed him immediately.

         Yama realized that Savithri was coming behind him. “Go Back”, said Yama, “and perform your husband’s funeral rites. It is of no use follow me.

         “O Lord it is my duty to follow my husband wherever he goes” said ‘Savithri’ Yama appreciated her chastity towards her husband He said “Savithri, you are a truly devoted wife. I am pleased by your respect and devotion to your husband. Ask for any Boon except the life of your husband”

          “May my blind father in law gain his sight she asked. “Granted”said Yama. Yet Savithri marched with Yama.

         “Your devotion is indeed highly appriciatable Ask for another Boon” said Yama.

           “May my father-in-law regain his lost kingdom”. The boon was granted. But she would not leave her husbands soul that is life being carried away by Yama.

          Yama turned to her and said “Why do you still follow me? Your devotion to husband has pleased me. I am prepared to bless you with one more Boon”.

           “May my parents be blessed with a hundred sons” said savithri. This boon was also granted.

           “Savithri” again followed Yama.Yama was pleased with her dutifulness. Yama spoke “Ask for another boon”. Savithri submitted “May a hundred sons be born to me and Satyavan?”. “Yes-Let it be” Yama responded. Savithri said “Revered father, I thank you for blessing me with a hundred sons. You are aware of that, I am a devoted wife. How will it be possible for me to become the mother of a hundred children, when my husband is dead?”.

           Now Yama realized that he had been caught. He released Satyavan’s life, blessed Savithri heartily and disappeared in a flame. Savithri hurriedly returned to the place in the forest where her husband’s lifeless body lay.

           Reaching there, Savithri lifted “Satyavan ‘s” head and placed it on her thigh.  “Satyavan came back to life and looked at her with affection.

            He spoke “It seems to have slept long. You should have awakened me, but where is that dark person who tried to take me away/”. To this Savithri replied that he had gone back and that all was well then. They got up and moved towards the hermitage.

          At the hermitage as per the boon of Yama, Dyumatsen the father of “Satyavan” had regained his eye sight. He was very happy. How ever he was worried and wondered what caused the delay in Satyavan’s return. He decided to go in search of his son and daughter in law.

          Dyumatsen walked a few steps from his house. Just then his former Commander of the Army came towards him and revealed to him that he, along with the Army had defeated the enemy and regained the kingdom. There were no bounds to Dyumatsen’s joy.

         At a distance Satyavan was walking towards the hermitage along with Savithri. Dyumatsen rushed towards his son to inform the happy news. Satyavan could not believe his father was walking towards him. King Dyumatsen told Satyavan that he had regained his kingdom as well as his eye-sight miraculously. “Savithri” stood watching the whole dramas us though she did not know anything about what had happened!

         The other boon rendered by Lord Yama was also fulfilled in due course of time. “Savithri” performed wonders indeed.

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