Satyavan Dies and Yama Takes His Life

Satyavan gathered fruit with his wife beside him, filling his vessel. Then he began to chop wood. As he worked, sweat broke out on his skin. The exertion brought on a headache — severe, building behind his eyes. Overcome, he went to Savitri. "I have developed an ache in my head because of these exertions," he told her. "My limbs and my heart seem to be afflicted. I feel the signs that I am not well. I feel as if my head is being pierced with spikes. I wish to sleep. I do not have the strength to stand." Savitri came up to her husband and embraced him. She sat down on the ground and placed his head on her lap. And then — remembering the words of the sage Narada, who had warned her that this day would come — she began to calculate the muhurta (the auspicious moment), the kshana (the instant), the hour, the day. She knew what was coming. In a short while, she saw a man. He was attired in a yellow garment. He was crowned and handsome, with an energy like that of the sun. His complexion was smooth and dark, his eyes red. In his hand he carried a noose. He looked terrible. He stood next to Satyavan and began to look at him. Savitri gently placed her husband's head on the ground and arose. With a trembling heart, she spoke. "From your superhuman appearance, I know that you are a god. If it pleases you, tell me who you are and what you desire here." The being replied: "O Savitri, you are devoted to your husband and have the power of austerities. It is for that reason that I will reply to you. Know me to be Yama. The life of Satyavan, your husband and the son of a king, has run out. I will bind him and take him. That is my intention." He added, almost gently: "This handsome one is an ocean of qualities and is united with dharma. That is the reason I have come myself and have not sent one of my servants to take him." Then Yama forcibly took out from Satyavan's body a being that was as long as a thumb. Binding it with his noose, he controlled him. With the life taken out, the body faded and lost its breath. The body became motionless and was unpleasant to behold. Binding him thus, Yama proceeded in a southern direction.