The Story of Savitri: You only give your heart once.

नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्

 देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयम् उदीरयेत्

महाभरत

Mahābharata

As retold by

Michael Dolan, B.V. Mahāyogi

The Story of Savitri

One day, when Markandeya Rishi was visiting the Pandavas, Yudhisthira said, “I do not mourn for myself or my brothers, but for Draupadi. She has suffered greatly. And for my sake. For my foolish sin of gambling we are now condemned to exile. Never has the earth seen such a true and faithful queen.”

Draupadi 

The Sage Markandeya  replied,  “Draupadi is indeed a true and faithful queen.  Allow me to tell you the story of another such noble lady, that you may appreciate the exalted merit  of your chaste and faithful lady.

“In days of old, there was a pious King of Madras, wise and true.   He was a gentle soul, given to study and meditation. His  word was his bond; he controlled his senses through yoga practice, performed sacrifice according to the Vedic rituals, and gave charity to the brahmanas.    He was respected and loved  in town and country.  His name was Ashwapati.  He was generous to all.

“And as he passed  his days dedicating himself to the worship of God, Vishnu, he avoided starting a family. His self abnegation  was such that he observed rigid  vows  of celibacy.  He lived very simply.  Until at last  he grew old.  And understanding the need for an heir to the kingdom he prayed to the goddess  Savitri, a manifestation of Saraswati, consort to Brahma the creator, goddess of learning.  

Savitri the goddess, manifestation of Saraswati, goddess of learning

"And when the goddess was pleased with him she blessed him with a  lotus-eyed daughter.  He named her Savitri  in honor of the goddess.  Now the Princess Savitri   was beautiful as Lakshmi herself, the goddess of fortune.  As years passed she grew into a young lady full of grace.   Her eyes were like lotus petals. And, with her complexion of dark gold, a fine waist,  full breasts,  and rounded limbs,  she moved like an Apsara  descended from Heaven.  

 “And so it was that  on  an  auspicious  day, having fasted and bathed,  and having worshiped Vishnu properly, she came before her father and offered her respects, bowing before his feet.

“King Ashwapati,  seeing her, could understand that she was of age and knew that it was time for her to marry and carry on the line.  

So he  advised her as follows: “My dear daughter, it is time for you to be wed.  I confess that I have not served you well. I should have found you a life partner. You are the fairest maiden in the land. And yet despite your beauty no one has come forth to seek your hand. I have failed you my child, for I have not found you a proper match. And so you yourself must find a suitable husband. Go forth and find yourself a proper match.  Take care that in so doing you incur no sin. I have faith that you will make the right choice. Go now.”

Markandeya  said  “The old King  gave instructions  to the elders  and ministers in attendance.  And so it was that Savitri  mounted a golden chariot pulled by white horses.  She rode through forest groves  to the ashram  where the sages lived.  Having taken their blessing, she departed the kingdom.”

“Princess Savitri  gradually roamed from forest to forest  and through different holy places where she made offerings, based in the different holy rivers, and visited the royal palaces of kings and princes throughout the realm.

“And by-and-by,  after visiting various sacred regions and ashrams, Savitri returned to  the city of Madras, where she found  her father in Council with the great sage Narada,  in the midst of his court, engaged in  a deep conversation  on the nature of transcendental reality. 

Savitri  bowed before her father and Narada,  who said, “Arise my child.  I can see that you have traveled far. Tell us of your pilgrimage. I understand your father has sent you to choose a worthy husband for yourself. What news do you have?”

And the Princess said,  “I have traveled far and wide and have made a decision. In Shalva there is a kshatriya King by the name of Dyumatsena.  This king was blind and deeply wise but was betrayed by an enemy who usurped his throne.  Dyumatsena had an only child, a son, Satyavan. 

"And when they were deposed, Dyumatsena and his Queen fled to the forest with his son, banished in exile. There in the woods, he led  a holy life, this philosopher-king. His son, nobly-born, grew up in the ashram of saints in the woods. Saintly and humble, Satyavan is a man of excellent qualities. That Raja’s son has won my heart. He will be my lord. I have chosen him as my husband.”

“Alas, poor child.” Said Narada, sadly. “You have given your heart to one who is not worthy.”

And King Ashwapati said, “Tell us O Narada of this Satyavan. How is he?”

And Narada replied, “He is noble, it is true. And he loves truth. For this reason, the brahmanas have called him “Satyavan” which means, “Truthful One.” He is faithful both in word and deed.  He is a man of great virtue. Both his father and mother are also virtuous. As a boy he loved horses and used to make sculptures  of horses and for this reason is sometimes called Chitraswa.”

Savitri and Satyavan

Ashwapati said, “Is this Prince Satyavan generous?”

And Narada said,  “Satyavan is as generous as he is true.  He  is as magnanimous as Yayati, who gave his youth to his father.   He is like the sun for grace and glory.  He is wise  as Brihaspati. As for beauty, Satyavan is like the moon, or the twin Ashwins.”

Narada Muni, saint among the gods

 And the king said,  “But Is he self-controlled?  Is he proud and arrogant?”

 And Narada replied, “He has full control over his senses, and while highly educated and possessed of many good qualities he is humble.  He is devoted to his friends, free from malice, modest, and patient.”

 And the king said,  “Yes, but is he honest?”

And Narada said,  “as honest as soul as I’ve ever seen.”

The king said, “but when  my daughter mentioned  this prince Satyavan,  you said ‘alas poor child.’”

“Indeed,” said Narada. “You should have helped her find a suitor, my dear King. She has chosen most unwisely.”

“But with all these good qualities,” said the king,  “why you say she has chosen unwisely? I see no defect in his character.”

 “He has only one defect,” said the saint.  “ And like a drop of ink and a glass of milk, it darkens all his good qualities.  His fault is huge. It cannot be overcome.”

“What fault is this?” Said the King. “If a man is honest and truthful, generous and wise, modest and humble, noble, possessed of a great fortune, and an expert ruler who controls his senses, why shouldn’t my daughter  marry him?”

“It pains me to tell you this, my dear  King, but  this prince’s days are numbered.  He has but one year to live. And while he is possessed of many virtues, is one vice is this: at the end of the year he must surely face his death. You see my friend, no one lives  longer than the time allotted him. And  it is the will of the gods that 12 months from now, Prince Satyavan  shall die.”

And with these words, the King shook his head. And looking up at his daughter, he said  “O Savitri,  my darling child you must choose another. This man cannot be your husband. He is fated to die within a year. Choose  again. Find another suitor.”

Yamaraja comes for Satyavan

But   Savitri said,   “ O father, you asked me to choose and I did. I gave my heart to the young prince  and cannot take it back.  In this life, death comes but once; and a  maiden gives her heart but once.  What has been given cannot be taken back. I cannot choose again for I have already chosen.   When you did not arrange a suitable husband, you sent me to roam throughout the realm. I  did so and found the best of all men. I chose him and no other. I want Prince Satyavan  as my husband.  I cannot change my will. First there is will, then words, then deeds. Deeds have consequences; such is the law of karma.  None can change their  destiny.  If my Prince is destined to die, so be it. But I have chosen,  and my word is my bond.  I shall have Prince Satyavan  as my husband and Lord. I shall make no other choice.”

And Narada said, “Oh King,  your daughter is virtuous.  Having made her choice, she is faithful. It is not wise to turn her from the path of truth.  I bless her decision. Let us abide by her choice.  She shall never find another man as virtuous as Satyavan.  Give your daughter’s hand in marriage to that noble Prince.  You have my blessing.”

Markandeya said, “And so saying, the sage among the gods rose up into the sky to heaven. The King for his part accepted his daughter’s choice and the judgment of the saint.  And so it was that King Ashwapati went about making preparations for his daughter’s wedding.”