पतिव्रता-माहात्म्य पर्व — सावित्री की कथा

Yudhishthira said : O great sage, I do not grieve so much for myself or for these my brothers or for the loss of my kingdom as (I do) for this daughter of Drupada.

When the wicked-souled (sons of Dhritarashtra) gave us pain at the game of dice we were delivered by Krishna. (But) Jayadratha forcibly carried her off even from the forest.

Have you ever seen or heard of a lady as highly fortunate and as devoted to her husband as the daughter of Dripada?

Markandeya said : Hear, O king Yudhishthira, how the princess Savitri attained to all the high virtues of chaste ladies.

Among the Madra there was a pious, exceedingly virtuous and a high-souled king devoted to the ministrations of the Brahmanas, firm in promise and of subdued passions.

This king, who was called Ashvapati was ever engaged in sacrifices, the foremost of the benevolent able loved by the people of the cities and provinces and was devoted to the welfare of all creatures.

But that truthful and self-controlled monarch having no offspring, was much pained when he was far advanced in years.

And in order to be blessed with children, he observed rigid vows, partook of moderate food at the proper time, led the Brahmacharya (mode of) life and subdued his passions.

That most exalted of kings (daily) offered ten thousand oblations to Savitri and partook of a moderate food at the sixth portion of the day.

He observed (all) these vows for eighteen years and when the eighteenth year was complete, Savitri was pleased with him.

And O monarch, rising from the sacrificial fire with great delight, she appeared before the king and desirous of conferring boons addressed the monarch thus,

Savitri said: "O king, I have been pleased with your Brahmacharya life, purity, self-control, observance of vows and all your endeavours and devotion.

O Ashvapati, O king of Madra, ask for whatever boon you desire. You should, however by no means disrespect virtue.

Ashvapati said : Desirous of attaining virtue, I have observed all these vows so that I may have children. O goddess, many numerous sons, woryour of my race, be born to me.

O goddess, if you are pleased with me, then I pray for this boon. The Brahmanas have told me that one attains to the crowning merit by having children.

Savitri said : Aware of your intentions before hand, I spoke about your sons to the divine Grandsire (Brahma).

O virtuous one, you will, through the grace of that self-existent lord, have soon a highlyenergetic daughter on earth.

I gladly tell you all this at the command of the Grandsire; you need not, therefore, make any reply.

Markandeya said : The king then bowing assent to the words of Savitri and saying "be it so," pleased her again and said "may this soon happen."

When Savitri had disappeared the king entered his own city. And that hero began to dwell in his kingdom and govern his subjects righteously.

Some time having elapsed that king observant of vows, begot offspring in the womb of his eldest queen devoted to religion.

O best of the Bharata, the embryo in the womb of the princess Malavi began to increase like the lord of the stars in heaven, during the lighted fortnight.

And at the proper time she gave birth to a daughter with eyes resembling lotus. And that best of kings gladly performed her natal rites.

And as Savitri gladly gave (him) that daughter on account of the king (daily) offering her oblations, both her father and the Brahmanas named her Savitri.

The king's daughter (gradually) grew up like the very embodiment of Sri (Lakshmi). And that damsel, in time stepped into youth.

Seeing that slender-waisted damsel of robust hips and looking like a golden image, people thought "we have got a goddess."

And oppressed by her, energy none could marry that girl of lotus-like eyes who seemed as if blazing in splendour.

Then on a Parva day, Savitri, observing fasts, bathing her head and approaching the family deity caused the Brahmanas to offer oblations to the sacrificial fire in accordance with due rites.

Then taking the flowers and garlands with which she worshipped the deity, Savitri looking like the very embodiment of Sri, repaired to her high-souled sire.

And bowing down to the feet of her father and offering him those flowers and garlands, that highly beautiful damsel with joined-hands stood beside the king.

Seeing that his daughter (beautiful), as a goddess, attained her puberty and was not courted by suitors, the king became sorry.

The king said: Daughter, the time for giving you away is arrived. (But) none asks me (for your hand). Do you, (therefore) seek for a husband as qualified as you.

Speak of that person, to me, whom you desire (for your husband). Choose, whom you like, for your husband. I will (afterwards) on (due) deliberation give you away (to him).

Hear, O auspicious girl, as I tell you the words, which I have heard the twice-born ones to recite from the sacred books.

That father who does not give away his daughter in marriage, is blamed. That husband who does not enjoy his wife during her courses is also blamed. And that son, who does not maintain his mother in her widowhood, meets with disgrace.

Hearing these my words do you speedily go in search of a husband. Act in such a way that we may not be blamed by the gods.

Markandeya said : Addressing thus his daughter and his old ministers, (the king) gave orders to make preparations (for their departure) and said "go".

(Thereupon), she, (gentle and meek) as a fernale ascetic, bashfully bowing down to the feet of her father, set out without hesitation, in obedience to the commands of her sire.

Seated on a car of gold and surrounded by the ministers, she visited the delightful hermitage of the royal sages.

O son, there bowing down to the feet of the elders and the revered, she visited all the forests one after the other.

Thus giving away riches in all the Tirthas, the king's daughter travelled over all those places inhabited by the foremost of the twiceborn ones.