Storytelling for Week 12: Savitri saves Satyavan

Savitri went into the forest in search of a man to become her husband because the one's she was being presented were unworthy. As she was wondering in the forest she came across Satyavan. He was the son of a blind man in exile.

As Savitri was approaching Satyavan, Yama, the Death god, came to her and told her that Satyavan only had one more year to live. He questioned if she still wanted to go through with this, but Savitri didn't care. Savitri was love struck. It was love at first sight!

Savitri walked up to Satyavan and said, "Hi I am Savitri. I was sent here to become your wife. Do you accept."

Taken off guard, Satyavan told her that he would have to contemplate the idea first as he had just met her. See, Satyavan wasn't sure if she was an illusion sent by demons or a real woman.

Finally, Satyavan was able to see Savitri's real colors, and the two married.

After one year, Satyavan's time was up, and Yama came to take him away. Savitri was completely devastated about losing her soul mate and decided to follow Yama.

As no one was ever brave enough to follow the Death god to where ever it is he goes with everyone's souls, Yama decided to grant Savitri wishes except she was not allowed to ask for Satyavan back. So, Savitri asked for several things for her beloved blind father in law until, finally, Yama told Savitri to ask for something for herself. However, all she wanted was kids from her husband to that Satyavan's legacy could live on forever. To the surprise of Savitri, Yama said he would grant her Satyavan if she would share her days with him. Therefore, without hesitation Savitri gave them to Satyavan and the couple returned home.

At last, Satvayan woke up after Yama returned his soul to his body, and he felt like the whole thing was a dream. He ran to Savitri and began telling her what happened.

Satyavan said that he was visited by Yama, and he knew immediately it was his time to go. Then, all he saw was the brightest white light and a grand staircase. So, he traveled up the stairs and saw all of his deceased friends and relatives. They all sat around a grand table and drank wine while reminiscing. Satyavan then realized how much he had missed these people, but on earth he had found the sweetest wife, Savitri. He wished he was back with her. That is when he awoke from the sleep and was relieved to see Savitri in the distance. He had no idea what had really happened. 

(Image Source: Savitri and Satyavan by Raja Ravi Varma and A.K. Joshi & co.Bombay) 

Author's Note: I wrote this story about Savitri sacrificing her time on earth for her husband because I found it to be very admirable. Savitri struggled her whole life to find a husband, and when she finally did the man didn't have much longer to live. However, she valued his remaining time and married him anyways. I think this shows the precious act of true love. However, I imagined Satyavan's experience to be much different as Yama had already taken his soul away. Satyavan was already in heaven. He was seeing people that already deceased without being aware of the sacrifice his wife was making on his behalf.  I also found it very peculiar that Yama was so generous with Savitri. Savitri must have been a very courageous woman. She didn't even accept all of the men that wanted to make her their wife in her town. She went out into the forest in hopes of finding exactly what she was looking for. What a brave woman! This picture is a perfect depiction of Savitri protecting her husband from the Death god. This shows the value of a good woman. She provides protection and purpose to Satyavan's life, and he knows it as seen in my creation of his dream.

Bibliography:

• Buck, William (1973). Mahabharata.