Savitri and the Lord of Death

Savitri was a princess, wise and strong-willed, and when it came time to choose a husband, she chose for herself. She chose Satyavan, a gentle, good young man who lived in the forest, caring for his old blind father, a king who had lost his kingdom.

But a wise sage gave Savitri a terrible warning. “Satyavan is a fine man,” he said, “but he is fated to die exactly one year from today.” Savitri only lifted her chin. “I have chosen him once,” she said. “I will not choose again.” And she married him, and loved him, and quietly counted the days.

When the fated day came, Savitri insisted on going with Satyavan into the forest. And there, as he chopped wood, he grew suddenly weak and dizzy, and lay down with his head in her lap, and his breath slipped away.

Then a great figure came walking through the trees: Yama himself, the Lord of Death, come to carry away Satyavan’s soul. He took it gently and turned to go. But Savitri rose, and followed him.

“Turn back, child,” said Yama. “The living cannot follow the dead.” But Savitri kept walking behind him, and as she walked, she spoke, such wise and gracious and gentle words about love and duty and goodness that Yama, the Lord of Death himself, was moved. “You speak beautifully,” he said. “I will grant you any wish, except your husband’s life.”

So Savitri thought, and chose cleverly. First she asked that her husband’s blind father have his sight and his kingdom restored. Granted. Then she asked that her own father, who had no sons, be blessed with a hundred children. Granted. Then she asked, softly, “And grant that I too may have a hundred children of my own.” And Yama, pleased, said, “Granted.”

Then Savitri smiled. “But my lord,” she said, “how can I have a single child, let alone a hundred, if my husband is dead and I will never marry another?”

Yama stopped. He had given his word. And to keep it, there was only one thing he could do. He smiled, for he had been outwitted by love and cleverness together, and he gave Satyavan back his life. Savitri returned through the forest, and Satyavan woke as if from a long sleep, and every blessing came true.