SECTION –CCLXLII
(Pativrata-mahatmya Parva Continued)
"Markandeya continued, 'On one occasion, O
Bharata, when that king, the lord of the Madras, was seated with Narada in the
midst of his court, engaged in conversation, Savitri, accompanied by the king's
counsellors, came to her father's abode after having visited various sacred
regions and asylums. And beholding her father seated with Narada, she
worshipped the feet of both by bending down her head. And Narada then said,
'Whither had this thy daughter gone? And, O king, whence also doth she come?
Why also dost thou not bestow her on a husband, now that she hath arrived at
the age of puberty?' Aswapati answered, saying, 'Surely it was on this very
business that she had been sent, and she returneth now (from her search). Do
thou, O celestial sage, listen, even from her as to the husband she hath chosen
herself!'
"Markandeya continued, 'Then the blessed
maid, commanded by her father with the words,--Relate everything in
detail,--regarded those words of her sire as if they were those of a god, and
spoke unto him thus, 'There was, amongst the Salwas, a virtuous Kshatriya king
known by the name of Dyumatsena. And it came to pass that in course of time he
became blind. And that blind king possessed of wisdom had an only son. And it
so happened that an old enemy dwelling in the vicinity, taking advantage of the
king's mishap, deprived him of his kingdom. And thereupon the monarch,
accompanied by his wife bearing a child on her breast, went into the woods. And
having retired into the forests, he adopted great vows and began to practise
ascetic austerities. And his son, born in the city, began to grow in the
hermitage. That youth, fit to be my husband, I have accepted in my heart for my
lord!' At these words of hers, Narada said, 'Alas, O king, Savitri hath
committed a great wrong, since, not knowing, she hath accepted for her lord
this Satyavan of excellent qualities! His father speaketh the truth and his
mother also is truthful in her speech. And it is for this that the Brahmanas
have named the son Satyavan. In his childhood he took great delight in horses,
and used to make horses of clay. And he used also to draw pictures of horses.
And for this that youth is sometimes called by the name of Chitraswa.' The king
then asked, 'And is prince Satyavan, who is devoted to his father, endued with
energy and intelligence and forgiveness and courage?' Narada replied, saying,
'In energy Satyavan is like unto the sun, and in wisdom like unto Vrihaspati!
And he is brave like unto the lord of the celestials and forgiving like unto
the Earth herself!' Aswapati then said, 'And is the prince Satyavan liberal in
gifts and devoted to the Brahmanas? Is he handsome and magnanimous and lovely
to behold?' Narada said, 'In bestowal of gifts according to his power, the
mighty son of Dyumatsena is like unto Sankriti's son Rantideva. In truthfulness
of speech and devotion unto Brahmanas, he is like Sivi, the son of Usinara. And
he is magnanimous like Yayati, and beautiful like the Moon. And in beauty of
person he is like either of the twin Aswins. And with senses under control, he
is meek, and brave, and truthful! And with passion in subjection he is devoted
to his friends, and free from malice and modest and patient. Indeed, briefly
speaking, they that are possessed of great ascetic merit and are of exalted
character say that he is always correct in his conduct and that honour is
firmly seated on his brow.' Hearing this, Aswapati said, 'O reverend sage, thou
tellest me that he is possessed of every virtue! Do thou now tell me his defects
if, indeed, he hath any!' Narada then said, 'He hath one only defect that hath
overwhelmed all his virtues. That defect is incapable of being conquered by
even the greatest efforts. He hath only one defect, and no other. Within a year
from this day, Satyavan, endued with a short life will cast off his body!'
Hearing these words of the sage, the king said, 'Come, O Savitri, go thou and
choose another for thy lord, O beautiful damsel! That one great defect (in this
youth) existeth, covering all his merits. The illustrious Narada honoured by
even the gods, sayeth, that Satyavan will have to cast off his body within a
year, his days being numbered!' At these words of her father, Savitri said,
'The death can fall but once; a daughter can be given away but one; and once
only can a person say, I give away! These three things can take place only
once. Indeed, with a life short or long, possessed of virtues or bereft of
them, I have, for once, selected my husband. Twice I shall not select. Having
first settled a thing mentally, it is expressed in words, and then it is
carried out into practice. Of this my mind is an example!' Narada then said, 'O
best of men, the heart of thy daughter Savitri wavereth not! It is not possible
by any means to make her swerve from this path of virtue! In no other person
are those virtues that dwell in Satyavan. The bestowal of thy daughter,
therefore, is approved by me!' The king said, 'What thou hast said, O
illustrious one, should never be disobeyed, for thy words are true! And I shall
act as thou hast said, since thou art my preceptor!' Narada said, 'May the
bestowal of thy daughter Savitri be attended with peace! I shall now depart.
Blessed be all of ye!'
"Markandeya continued, 'Having said this,
Narada rose up into the sky and went to heaven. On the other hand, the king
began to make preparations for his daughter's wedding!'"
){kind=link}
0 Comments
If you have any Misunderstanding Please let me know