Savitri Returns and Announces Her Choice of Satyavan

The sage Markandeya told the Pandavas a story. On one occasion, Narada visited the court of Ashvapati, the king of Madra. As they sat conversing in the midst of the assembly hall, Savitri returned from her journey. She had visited all the tirthas (sacred waters) and all the hermitages, accompanied by the king's ministers. Now she entered her father's presence, saw him seated with the great sage, and lowered her head at their feet. Narada looked at her and asked the king: "Where did your daughter go, and where has she returned from? Why do you not give this maiden away to a husband?" Ashvapati replied: "I sent her out on that very task, and she has returned now. O devarshi (divine sage)! Now hear from her whom she has chosen as a husband." The king instructed his daughter to recount everything in detail. Savitri obeyed, and driven by destiny, spoke these words. "There is a kshatriya king in the land of Shalva, and he has dharma in his soul. He is famous by the name of Dyumatsena. Later, he became blind. The intelligent one lost his eyesight, and his son was still young. Because of old enmity, a neighbour spotted the weakness and seized the kingdom. With his young son and wife, he left for the forest. Having left for the great forest, great in his vows, he performed austerities there. His son was born in the city, but grew up in the hermitage. His name is Satyavan, and in my mind, I have accepted him as my husband." Narada replied: "O king! In her ignorance, Savitri has committed a grave error, by choosing the virtuous Satyavan. His father speaks the truth. His mother speaks the truth. Therefore, brahmanas gave him the name of Satyavan — one who is true. When he was young, he loved horses and fashioned them out of clay, painting them. He was therefore known as Chitrashva." The king asked: "Is the king's son energetic and intelligent? Is he forgiving and brave? Is he truthful and devoted to his father?" Narada replied: "He is as energetic as the sun-god and as intelligent as Brihaspati, the preceptor of the gods. He is as brave as the great Indra and as forgiving as the earth." Ashvapati asked: "Is the king's son, Satyavan, generous towards brahmanas? Is he handsome and large-hearted? Is his appearance pleasant?" Narada replied: "According to his own ability, in generosity, he is the equal of Rantideva, the son of Samkriti. In devotion to brahmanas and truthfulness, he is like Shibi, the son of Ushinara. He is like Yayati in his generosity. He is as pleasant to behold as the moon. Dyumatsena's powerful son is as handsome as one of the Ashvins, the twin gods of dawn. He is self-controlled, mild, brave, truthful and in control of his senses. He is friendly, without malice, modest and forbearing. To state it briefly, those who have grown old in austerities and conduct always say that he is established in uprightness and righteousness." Ashvapati asked: "O illustrious one! You have spoken to me about all his qualities. Now tell me about his faults, if he has any." Narada replied: "He has only one blemish. His life is short. One year from now, Satyavan will give up his body." The king turned to his daughter. "O Savitri! O beautiful one! Go and choose another one as your husband. This is a great blemish that overshadows all his qualities. The illustrious Narada is worshipped by the gods, and he has told me that his life is short. He will give up his body within a year." Savitri said: "The die is cast only once. The daughter is given away only once. 'I give her away,' is pronounced only once. All these three occur only once. Whether his life is long or short, whether he possesses qualities or is without qualities, I have chosen him as my husband once and will not choose a second one. Having made up my mind, I have voiced it in words. The act occurs thereafter. My mind has been made up." Narada said: "O best of men! Your daughter Savitri's mind is firmly made up. It is impossible to dislodge her from the way of dharma. The qualities that Satyavan possesses do not exist in any other man. Therefore, it seems to me that your daughter should be given to him." The king said: "O illustrious one! The words that you have spoken are true and should not be disregarded. O illustrious one! Since you are my preceptor, I will do as you say." Narada said: "May your daughter Savitri be given away without any impediments. I will have to go away now. May all of you be fortunate." Having said this, Narada soared up into the sky and went to the region of the thirty gods. The king began to make arrangements for his daughter's marriage.