SECTION –CCLXLIV
(Pativrata-mahatmya Parva Continued)
"Markandeya said, 'At length, O king, after
a long time had passed away, the hour that had been appointed for the death of
Satyavan arrived. And as the words that had been spoken by Narada were ever
present in the mind of Savitri, she had counted the days as they passed. And
having ascertained that her husband would die on the fourth day following, the
damsel fasted day and night, observing the Triratra vow. And hearing of her
vow, the king became exceedingly sorrow and rising up soothed Savitri and said
these words, 'This vow that thou hast begun to observe, O daughter of a king,
is exceedingly hard; for it is extremely difficult to fast for three nights
together!' And hearing these words, Savitri said, 'Thou needst not be sorry, O
father! This vow I shall be able to observe! I have for certain undertaken this
task with perseverance; and perseverance is the cause of the successful
observance of vows.' And having listened to her, Dyumatsena said, 'I can by no
means say unto thee, Do thou break thy vow. One like me should, on the contrary,
say,--Do thou complete thy vow!' And having said this to her, the high-minded
Dyumatsena stopped. And Savitri continuing to fast began to look (lean) like a
wooden doll. And, O bull of the Bharata race, thinking that her husband would
die on the morrow, the woe-stricken Savitri, observing a fast, spent that night
in extreme anguish. And when the Sun had risen about a couple of hand Savitri
thinking within herself--To-day is that day, finished her morning rites, and
offered oblations to the flaming fire. And bowing down unto the aged Brahmanas,
and her father-in-law, and mother-in-law, she stood before them with joined
hands, concentrating her senses. And for the welfare of Savitri, all the
ascetics dwelling in that hermitage, uttered the auspicious benediction that
she should never suffer widowhood. And Savitri immersed in contemplation
accepted those words of the ascetics, mentally saying,--So be it!--And the
king's daughter, reflecting on those words of Narada, remained, expecting the
hour and the moment.
Then, O best of the Bharatas, well-pleased, her
father-in-law and mother-in-law said these words unto the princess seated in a
corner, 'Thou hast completed the vow as prescribed. The time for thy meal hath
now arrived; therefore, do thou what is proper!' Thereat Savitri said, 'Now
that I have completed the purposed vow, I will eat when the Sun goes down. Even
this is my heart's resolve and this my vow!'
"Markandeya continued, 'And when Savitri had
spoken thus about her meal, Satyavan, taking his axe upon his shoulders, set
out for the woods. And at this, Savitri said unto her husband, 'It behoveth
thee not to go alone! I will accompany thee. I cannot bear to be separated from
thee!' Hearing these words of hers, Satyavan said, 'Thou hast never before repaired
to the forest. And, O lady, the forest-paths are hard to pass! Besides thou
hast been reduced by fast on account of thy vow. How wouldst thou, therefore,
be able to walk on foot?' Thus addressed, Savitri said, 'I do not feel langour
because of the fast, nor do I feel exhaustion. And I have made up my mind to go.
It behoveth thee not, therefore, to prevent me!' At this, Satyavan said, 'If
thou desirest to go, I will gratify that desire of thine. Do thou, however,
take the permission of my parents, so that I may be guilty of no fault!'
"Markandeya continued, 'Thus addressed by
her lord, Savitri of high vows saluted her father-in-law and mother-in-law and
addressed them, saying, 'This my husband goeth to the forest for procuring
fruits. Permitted by my revered lady-mother and father-in-law, I will accompany
him. For to-day I cannot bear to be separated from him. Thy son goeth out for
the sake of the sacrificial fire and for his reverend superiors. He ought not,
therefore, to be dissuaded. Indeed, he could be dissuaded if he went into the
forest on any other errand. Do ye not prevent me! I will go into the forest
with him. It is a little less than a year that I have not gone out of the
asylum. Indeed, I am extremely desirous of beholding the blossoming woods!'
Hearing these words Dyumatsena said, 'Since Savitri hath been bestowed by her
father as my daughter-in-law, I do not remember that she hath ever spoken any
words couching a request. Let my daughter-in-law, therefore, have her will in
this matter. Do thou, however, O daughter, act in such a way that Satyavan's
work may not be neglected!'
"Markandeya continued, 'Having received the
permission of both, the illustrious Savitri, departed with her lord, in seeming
smiles although her heart was racked with grief. And that lady of large eyes
went on, beholding picturesque and delightful woods inhabited by swarms of
peacocks. And Satyavan sweetly said unto Savitri, 'Behold these rivers of
sacred currents and these excellent trees decked with flowers!' But the
faultless Savitri continued to watch her lord in all his moods, and
recollecting the words of the celestial sage, she considered her husband as
already dead. And with heart cleft in twain, that damsel, replying to her lord,
softly followed him expecting that hour.'"
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