Savitri Observes a Three-Day Vow Before Satyavan's Death
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.
The year had passed. Savitri had known it would come — Narada himself had told her, on the day of her wedding, that Satyavan would die exactly one year later. She had counted every day since. Now the time was upon her.
She determined that his death would occur on the fourth day. For three nights, the beautiful one observed a vow of fasting and remained standing, day and night.
Hearing about this difficult vow, the king Dyumatsena was unhappy. He arose and consoled Savitri with these words: "O daughter of a king! The vow that you have adopted is extremely severe. It is extremely difficult to remain standing for three nights."
Savitri replied: "O father! Do not grieve over this act. I will complete the vow, which has been adopted with resolution. Resolution is the cause."
Dyumatsena said: "Under no circumstances can I ask you to give up your vow. Those like us should speak to you so that you complete it."
Having said this, the great-souled Dyumatsena refrained. Savitri remained standing, as if she had been made of wood.
Thinking that her husband would die the next day, she remained standing and the day passed in misery. "Today is the day," she thought. She offered oblations into the blazing fire. She performed her morning rites when the sun had arisen four measures. She bowed down before all the aged brahmanas and her mother-in-law and father-in-law, in due order, and restrained, stood before them with hands joined in salutation.
For the sake of Savitri's welfare, all the residents of the hermitage and all the holy ascetics pronounced the benediction that she might never become a widow. Savitri, who was immersed in the yoga of meditation, wished in her mind that it might be this way and silently accepted the words of the ascetics.
The king's daughter waited for the hour and the moment, thinking grievously about the words that Narada had spoken.
Her mother-in-law and father-in-law affectionately told her: "You have perfectly completed the vow, as has been prescribed. It is now time to eat. After that, do whatever else remains to be done."
Savitri replied: "I will eat when the sun has set and I have accomplished my desire. This is the resolution I have made in my mind about the time."
When Savitri was conversing in this way about food, Satyavan grasped an axe. He placed it over his shoulder and proceeded to leave for the forest. Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 577