Savitri Follows Yama and Wins Four Boons

Distressed, Savitri followed Yama. The immensely fortunate one was restrained in her vows and faithful to her husband. Yama said, "Go back. Perform the last rites for your husband. Your debt to your husband has been discharged. You have come as far as you possibly can." Savitri replied, "I must go wherever my husband is going, of his own volition, or if he is being taken. That is the eternal dharma. Because of austerities, devotion to elders, love towards my husband, vows and your favours, nothing will be able to obstruct my path." She spoke of friendship established by walking seven steps together, of dharma as the most important thing. "Those who are not in control of their souls do not observe dharma, even when they live in the forest. By following the single dharma identified by the learned, we attain all the different paths." Yama was delighted. "Go back. I am delighted with the words you have spoken. Ask for a boon, other than his life. I will grant you any boon that you desire." Savitri asked: "My father-in-law has been dislodged from his kingdom and dwells in the forest. His eyes have been destroyed. Through your favours, let the king regain his sight and become strong, resplendent like the sun and the fire." Yama granted it. "I notice that you are tired from the journey. Refrain and go back." But Savitri would not stop. "How can there be exhaustion when I am with my husband? I must certainly follow the path that my husband takes. It is said that a meeting with the virtuous is desirable. Friendship with them is even better. Communion with the virtuous is never fruitless." Yama offered a second boon. Savitri asked that her father-in-law regain his kingdom and never stray from his own dharma. Yama granted it. "Refrain and go back. Otherwise, you will become exhausted." Savitri replied, "You control all beings through your rules. You follow the rules, and not your own caprices. Therefore, you are famous as the god Yama. The eternal dharma of the righteous is non-violence towards all beings in deeds, thoughts and words, and kindness and benevolence." Yama offered a third boon. Savitri asked: "My father, the king, is without any sons. Let my father have a hundred sons as my brothers. Let them extend his lineage." Yama granted it. "Return. You have come too far along the road." Savitri replied, "Since I am with my husband, it has not seemed like a long distance to me. You are Vivasvat's powerful son. The wise call you Vaivasvata. You please and control all beings through dharma. That is the reason you are the king of dharma." Yama said, "I have never heard words like the ones you have spoken. I am extremely pleased. Other than his life, ask for a fourth boon. And then, go." Savitri replied, "Let me have one hundred strong, brave and righteous sons through Satyavan's loins, so that they please us and extend the lineage." Yama granted it. "Return. You have come too far along the path." But Savitri did not turn. She spoke again of the virtuous — how they are always devoted to dharma, how they do not tremble, how they make the sun move through their truth, how through their austerities they bear up the earth. Yama said, "The more you speak, the more your words are full of dharma, pleasant to the mind, well articulated and full of deep meaning. Ask for an unmatched boon." Savitri replied, "You have not made an exception to your favours, as you did with the other boons. Therefore, I ask for the boon that Satyavan should live. Without my husband, I am like one who is dead. Without my husband, I do not desire any happiness. Without my husband, I do not desire heaven. Without my husband, I do not desire prosperity. Without my husband, I do not desire life. You have granted me the boon that I will have one hundred sons. Despite that, you are taking my husband away. I ask for the boon that Satyavan should live. It is then that your words will come true." Then Vaivasvata Dharmaraja Yama agreed. He freed the noose. "Look. I have freed your husband. Take him with you. He is free from disease and will be successful in his objectives. Together with you, he will live for four hundred years. Through his rites, sacrifices and dharma, he will attain fame in the world. Satyavan will beget one hundred sons on you. All of those kshatriyas will be kings, together with their sons and grandsons. Your names will be eternally famous on earth." Having bestowed those boons on her, the powerful Dharmaraja made Savitri return and left for his own abode.