Savitri

With Skanda instated as general of the gods, Rudra departs for Bhadravata in a chariot yoked to a thousand lions, followed by a vast celestial procession — gods, yakshas, rishis, weapons, rivers, and the very branches of knowledge — establishing the new cosmic order.

Savitri returns from her pilgrimage to her father Ashvapati's court, where the sage Narada is visiting. When asked why she has not been given in marriage, Savitri declares she has already chosen her husband: Satyavan, a prince living in exile in the forest. Narada reveals that Satyavan has only one blemish — he will die within a year. Despite this, Savitri refuses to choose another.

King Ashvapati, having chosen Satyavan as his daughter's husband despite knowing the prophecy of his early death, travels to the forest hermitage of the blind king Dyumatsena to propose the alliance. Dyumatsena hesitates — his daughter does not deserve the hardship of forest life — but Ashvapati will not be refused, and the wedding is performed with all rites.

Narada had told Savitri that Satyavan would die exactly one year from their wedding — on the fourth day from now. She begins a three-night vow of fasting and standing, remaining upright like wood, counting every hour until the appointed moment arrives.

Satyavan prepares to go into the forest alone to gather fruit for the agnihotra. But Savitri, who has not left the hermitage in a year, declares she cannot bear to be separated from him — and insists on following him, even though she knows what awaits.

Satyavan regains consciousness in Savitri's arms, confused about the dark being who was dragging him away. Despite the deep night and the dangers of the forest, he insists on returning immediately to his aged blind parents, who he knows will be frantic with worry.

Satyavan collapses from exhaustion while chopping wood, his head aching, and lies down with his head on Savitri's lap. As she holds him, she sees a terrible crowned figure approach — Yama himself, who extracts a thumb-sized being from Satyavan's body, binds it with his noose, and departs southward, leaving the body lifeless.

Savitri follows Yama as he carries away Satyavan's life, refusing to turn back. Through a sustained dialogue on dharma and virtue, she wins four boons from the god of death — her father-in-law's sight and kingdom, a hundred brothers for her father, a hundred sons through Satyavan — and finally, Satyavan's life itself.

When Satyavan and Savitri return late at night, the rishis press Savitri for the truth behind Dyumatsena's sudden restoration of sight. She reveals everything: Narada's prophecy, Yama's arrival, her confrontation with the god of death, and the five boons she won — including her husband's life.

Having heard Savitri's account and witnessed the family's reunion, the assembled rishis honour her as the best of women. They take their leave of King Dyumatsena and his son, then return to their own abodes through auspicious routes.

Dyumatsena, his eyesight miraculously restored, finds his hermitage empty — Satyavan and Savitri have not returned. He and his wife Shaibya run through the forest, wounded and bleeding, crying out their children's names, until the forest sages bring them back and offer reasons why Satyavan must still be alive.

Markandeya continues his narration to the Pandavas, describing the morning after Savitri's trials. The subjects of Shalva arrive to recall Dyumatsena — their enemy has been slain by his own minister, and they want him back as king. Dyumatsena, now with sight restored, departs for the city with his family, and Savitri later bears a hundred sons and has a hundred brothers.