The legend of Savitri is one of the supplementary stories found in the Mahabharata which help to clarify philosophical points or emphasize pivotal moments in the poem.

The Mahabharata

The Mahabharata ("Great Story"), one of the most important works of Sanskrit literature, is a tome in eighteen volumes comprising approximately 200,000 lines of verse intermingled with prose passages. The main storyline follows the conflict between two noble families, the Pandavas and their cousins the Kauravas, for the possession of a certain kingdom. The story of Savitri is found in the "Book of the Forest" from the third volume.

Savitri

Savitri is the daughter of the King of Madras and, having attained marrying age, finds that no-one has asked for her hand. She is told by her father that she must now look for a husband on her own. She goes on a pilgrimage and comes upon Satyavan, himself the son of a king, who lives in exile in the forest as a wood-cutter. Savitri chooses him to be her husband but learns from a seer that Satyavan is doomed to die exactly one year from that day, a curse of which he is unaware. Undeterred, she becomes his wife and goes to live with him in the forest.

Death

The dreaded day arrives and Satyavan finds his wife in torment. She cannot tell him what is about to happen, but he consoles Savitri, telling her that fear is only Maya ("Illusion"). Yama, the god of Death, appears in the forest, coming to take Satyavan's life and soul. Satyavan dies in Savitri's arms; however, her reaction to Death is quite unxpected.

The Boons

Instead of tears, she reacts with poise and dignity, welcoming Death into her home. She speaks to him respectfully of obedience to the law and of Yama as the righteous king of the Law.

Death is so moved by her demeanour and speeches that he grants Savitri several boons. She may ask anything of him except the life of her husband. After various wishes for the well-being of her family Death grants her one last boon which he will not refuse. She asks for Life in all its fullness.

Victory of Love over Death

Death is surprised: is she not alive already? She challenges him by asking if he is true to his word or not. His admiration for her is such that he grants her the boon unequivocally. Then, she turns the tables: life "in all its fullness" for her is impossible without Satyavan.

Yama concedes; he sees the power of her emotion and the strength of her argument. Satyavan comes back to life, saying that he has had a dream: he was visited by Death, but he knows that it was Maya, it was all an illusion. Death returns alone to his kingdom realizing that he himself is only an illusion.

Final Points

The story has much more complexity and philosophical depth than presented here; it is advisable to go to the source and delve deeper. What is real in life and what is illusion, and the character of a woman who acknowledges the authority of her own mind above others (even a male deity) are just two of the important philosophical points of this moving fable.

Sources

Bram, L.; Dickey, N.; Phillips, R., eds. "Mahabharata" in Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia, vol 15, p 391.

Bram, L.; Dickey, N.; Phillips R., eds. "Sanskrit Literature" in Funk and Wagnall's New Encyclopedia, vol 21, p 100.

Carriere, J.C. The Mahabharata: a Play Based upon the Indian Classic Epic. London: Methuen, 1988.

Narayan, R.K. The Mahabharata. London: William Heinemann, Ltd., 1978. (This is a shortened modern prose version.)

Stutley, M. and J. A Dictionary of Hinduism. London: Routledge & Kegan Paul, 1977.