Savitri - archetype of womanhood

            Inspiration always comes from high ideals. Though extremely rare, a few individuals reach this exalted stratospheric heights that enthuse even the dullest amongst us to move a notch higher. We find legendary characters like Yudhishtra already at that level, yet there were too many tough situations that were bearing on this mahatma, even he needed a spark. One such inspiration was the story of Satyavan Savitri which continues to impact and shape our Indic civilization for millennia. The Pandavas were recounting the miseries and badly seeking out wisdom from the sages in the forest to tide over their hardships. Satsanga at the feet of rishis and sadhus was their only refuge, also ours. Satsanga, seeking time at the feet of the realized (not new age gurus), but one who is realized and highlights shastras through their life, is a sure shot way to raise our consciousness and purify ourselves.

Storytime:

This episode occurs in the Vana Parva of Mahabharata (sections 291 to 297). Markandeya Maharishi was consoling the Pandavas after Jayadratha's kidnapping of Draupadi. To highlight the exalted merit of chaste ladies rooted in dharma, he narrates the story of Satyavan Savitri. The virtuous Madra King, Aswapati, practised extreme austerities for eighteen years to obtain many sons. Savitri, the consort of Brahma, gratified by his practices, blessed him with an excellent daughter. He begat this special daughter with his wife Malavi, whom he named Savitri, in honor of the Goddess. As she grew into a beautiful maiden, she exuded grace in every aspect. Unable to find a good match for her, Aswapati urged his daughter to seek out the real best person as her husband.

Savitri went about different ashrams with her attendants, seeking their blessings and in search of a good husband. After one such visit, she came back to find her father who was in the presence of Narada Maharishi. In response to his questions, she narrated her background in detail. The neighboring kingdom of Salwa was ruled by Dyumatsena, who had gone blind in time. As another enemy King usurped their kingdom, he left for the forest with his newborn son Satyavan and his wife Saivya to lead the life of a hermit. Satyavan grew up into a handsome young man filled with all daivi qualities.  Savitri extolled the virtues of Satyavan and her resolve to marry him. Narada agreed that Satyavan was like Sun in his energy, Brihaspati in wisdom, brave like Indra, patient like Earth and much more. Yet he had a blemish that in exactly one year to the day on a specified time, he will meet with his death. Noticing her resolve to not waver from virtue, Narada departs after blessing Savitri.

Aswapati then approaches Dyumatsena to seek Satyavan's hands for Savitri. The blind King is only concerned about the unfair situation Savitri will be subject to. But being convinced by Aswapati, the marriage happens in the ashram. Despite Aswapati's lavish marriage gifts; Savitri transforms herself to lead a normal ashram life. She won over everyone by her services and self-denial. Her mother-in-law was gratified by her services and personal care as was her father-in-law who was deeply moved over by her respect and controlled speech. Satyavan was won over by her sweet soft speech, skill in every work, evenness of temper and her unswerving love. Despite the ascetic austerities, Savitri managed to veil her incessant deep sorrow.

            As the days got nearer, she ascertained that in four days Satyavan will meet his fate. Savitri undertook the exalted three day/night fast, Triratra vow. Seeing her intense piety, all the ascetics of that hermitage blessed her with a long blessed marriage and that she will never face widowhood. Despite completing the vow, on being asked to break her fast by her in-laws, she informed them of her resolve to eat when the sun goes down.

            Satyvan was taking his axe to go to the woods. Savitri desired to accompany him. Despite Satyavan's description of the hardships, seeing her intentions and fragile fasted body, he asked her to get his parent's permission. Savitri had never sought anything from anyone, so Dyumatsena gladly heeded to this simple request. 

The sylvan beauty did not capture her heart, as it was filled with sorrow. As Satyavan collected some fruits that had fallen, he experienced severe headache and felt sleepy. Savitri placed his head on her lap and started pondering about the time division. Just at that moment, she saw an effulgent person clad in red attire, dreadful to behold gazing at her husband. She placed Satyavan's head on the ground and respectfully inquired who he was and his intentions. Yama said who he was and it was due to her austerities and tapas Yama was conversing with her. Savitri asked why Yama had to come in person and not send messengers as was the norm. Yama said that due to the extraordinary virtues of Satyavan it demanded his presence, who proceeded to bind Satyavan's essence and head South.

            Savitri began to follow Yama, who kept reminding her to do the funeral obsequies to her husband. Savitri replied that it was her dharma to follow her husband, whether it was on his own accord or being carried. She said due to her chastity and austerity, due to the vows she observed and by Yama's own grace, her course is unimpeded. Savitri recalled that wise people with Brahmic realization observe that when a person walks only seven paces with another, makes them as friends. (Basis for Sapta Padhi ritual in weddings – Your spouse is your best friend)

Invoking this basis, Savitri declares she had some things to share with Yama as they shared friendship. Without self control, one does not acquire merit following Asrama dharma. True religious merit is based on the knowledge of the Absolute. Goal of life is not to go through the Asramas, but acquire real religious merit. As she kept her inspiring talk, Yama was extremely pleased and asked her to seek any boon, but not her husband's life. Savitri sought restoration of eyesight for her father-in-law, Dyumatsena. Yama gladly granted and sought her not to wear herself any longer and to return back.

Savitri retorted that she doesn't feel weariness in presence of her husband. She declared that even a single interview with the pious Devas was highly beneficial, what to speak of friendship she had with Yama. One must do their best to live in the company of the righteous. Yama was filled with delight at her words and granted a second boon, as long as it is not her husband's life. Savitri redeemed it for obtaining Dyumatsena's lost kingdom, again for the purpose of doing his duties.

Savitri spoke about Ahimsa in thought; word and action to all creatures, to bear them love and give them their due. The good show mercy to even their foes when their protection is sought. Yama felt Savitri's words were pleasing to the atman, as water is to a thirsty person. He asked her to seek a third boon, as long as it was not Satyavan's life. Savitri's prayer for her parents to have a hundred sons was gladly granted by Yama.

Savitri said though they might have traveled a long distance, owing to the road ahead, she requested Yama to listen to her. Being the son of Vivaswan, that Yama's other name is Vaivaswata. He is centered in Dharma, hence the lord of Justice. One reposes confidence in the dharmic, righteous, above even one’s own judgment. Therefore association with the righteous is auspicious and inspires confidence in all creatures. Yama was extremely pleased with her words and granted her a fourth boon, as long as it was not Satyavan's life. Savitri sought a century of sons for herself, possessing great strength and prowess, causing delight to all, rooted in dharma. Yama requested her not to follow any more. 

Savitri continued, "The righteous follow dharma eternally". Communion with dharmic is never futile. Dharma supports the sun in the firmament and the dharmic support the earth through their austerities. Doing good to others without any expectations is at the core of being righteous. She went on to discourse on dharma and dharmic actions. Yama was overwhelmed with delight at the purport of her speech and the way she articulated. He said he wanted to grant her another incomparable boon. Savitri replied that Yama had already granted children and was waiting for him to return her husband. Without her husband she needed neither prosperity nor heaven and how could she fulfill Yama's boon of a century of sons when Yama was carrying her husband's life.

Yama who is used to taking life bound by his noose found himself wrapped by the dharmic talk, austerity and chastity of Savitri and his own boon. How can Yama himself not honor his own words, so to make Yama's words true, she sought Satyavan's life to be restored?  He gladly released Satyavan with a healthy, long, disease free life (four hundred by Mahabharata's accounts) and departed.

Savitri quickly came back to Satyavan's lifeless corpse. As soon as she placed his head back on her lap, he regained consciousness. Satyavan could not discern what he perceived was a dream or real. He wondered how long he had slept. Savitri said, while he was asleep, the worshipful Yama had gone away and if he is able to rise up, he can.

Savitri promised to relate everything in the morning. Satyavan was beset with another worry. He wanted to reach the ashram as it was already very late and his parents will be much worried about their safety. Savitri's concern for his well being was replaced by Satyavan's anxiety to assuage his parent's worries. Savitri was deeply moved by his reverence and love for his parents, despite the fact he was just rescued from Yama's noose. She declared if she had observed austerities, given away in charity and performed sacrifice, "May this night be for the good of her father-in-law, mother-in-law and husband! Having never spoken a lie, even in jest, Let her in-laws lives be held by that truth". Placing her left arm of Satyavan upon her shoulder and embracing him with her right arm, she slowly proceeded back to the ashram, based on Satyavan guiding her way.

Meanwhile, Dyumatsena miraculously got back his eyesight. As night Dyumatsena and Saivya began a panic search of the nearby paths, ignoring their feet getting cut and bleeding and pierced with thorns and kusa blades. Other Brahmanas and rishis who lived in the neighborhood came to their aid and reassure the well being of Satyavan and Savitri. Even as they were talking, Satyavan and Savitri arrived to the delight of everyone gathered. Satyavan narrated how he felt sick and fell asleep only to wake up at night and they rushed back to alleviate his parents' concern.

The Rishis questioned Savitri as Satyavan's statements didn't help them understand how Dyumatsena got his eyesight back. Savitri narrated everything from meeting Yama to winning his boons. The rishis applauded Savitri and her chastity repeatedly. The next morning, a large body of people from Salwa came to meet Dyumatsena and inform how his ex-minister had rallied against and killed the usurper and his supporters. Dyumatsena got back his kingdom and Satyvan became the prince regent. In due course of time, per Yama's boons both Savitri and her mother Malavi gave birth to a hundred sons. Listening to the excellent story of Savitri will give happiness and success in everything and never face misery.

Practical lessons:

•  Live in the Present - All the characters we came across live in the present, without remorse of their past or futile panic of the future. Aswapati takes the situation as they unfold with grace, be it when his years of tapas was granted with a female child or when Savitri decides to marry Satyavan with a known short life span. Dyumatsena resorts to life in ashram, having lost his eyes and kingdom. Savitri makes the year with Satyavan count by service to everyone around. She doesn’t spend one iota of time to worrying, though she was concerned about the well being of Satyavan.

We live either in the glories or miseries of the past or planning what-ifs for the future. If we turn our attention to the present and make the best of it, while getting deeper in dharma, we can do real Purushartha with simple living filled with great ideals.

• Do not spread misery – Narada’s secret information on Satyavan’s life span was never shared by Savitri, not even indirectly.

Sharing our emotions and feelings is one thing, which definitely helps one psychologically. But most times, we tend to propagate the misery. Can we develop the inner strength of Savitri to face the cold facts? That comes only from dharmic life.

• Delays are not denials – Aswapati made years of tapas, yet he was blessed with Savitri. He desired many sons, which happened through Savitri’s efforts many years later.

In real life also, sometimes our genuine efforts may seem unfruitful. If due to dejection or ego, we fail to be grateful for what we have, we lose both the current and future opportunities. This is one of the central themes of the Bhagavad Gita.

• Live according to the situation – Savitri quickly discarded her royal ways, without being prompted. At least in the case of her father-in-law, one can say, being blind, he resigned to such a life. Not so with Savitri, who was full of life and vitality, yet chose the right path.

Today we live a false life trying to impress ourselves. The worst is we even convince ourselves that these falsities we have imposed on our mind like status, fashion etc are real. The worse mindset is when they realize the ephemeral nature of things in the world, yet have a hedonistic outlook of enjoying everything, as they feel we live this life once. Don’t feed the ego, feed viveka and vairagya.

• Live in Dharma – Broader the vision, lesser is the hold of ego. Higher the ideals we live by, deeper is the grasp of dharma. Self-centered, ego driven life immerses us in adharma. Savitri was able to even see and have a conversation with Yama only by the height of her virtues. This is exemplified by the stages of her boons. She sought eyesight for her father-in-law first and didn’t go greedy by wanting something for herself. She treated her in-laws with same reverence as her parents, if not higher. She expressed her virtues through nishkamya sewa, selfless service, not keeping track of what she did or how great she was following dharma. Coupled with such wonderful virtues, Savitri had deep wisdom.  Yama was completely speechless at this wonderful sight and was so glad to bestow anything she sought.

As we live a life of higher ideals, we purify our Chitta. Great wisdom of the scriptures, sages and Nature reveals itself naturally. We must note Savitri did not have a calculative mind, like many of us. She didn’t keep wondering if she did some vrata, could she extract something out of it. When deep dharma is lived in practical life, one can transcend the mundane limitations perceived by the egoistic mind as its reality.

• Purushartha – Savitri realized that when Artha and Kama are subservient to Dharma, it leads to greater benefits. Thus her focus was only on Dharma. The other side of Dharma is Moksha, so latching on to it, we obtain the highest.  The other meaning of Purushartha is to exert oneself to the highest ideals. She exemplified this by doing Triratra vrata for the benefit of her husband, coupled with simple, yet high living. Thus she focused on what can be done by her to the fullest.

• Real Knowledge and intelligence – Savitri realized that Satyavan was not the Body-Mind-Intellect. So she followed Yama who had the essence of her husband. She did not cry like today’s rudalis or even drop a tear. She does not pester Yama to return her husband, like most twisted narratives of this story. She merely exerts her desire and right to follow her husband. She wins Yama through her deep understanding of Dharma, practical life of virtues, sharp intellect and extreme commitment to her husband. Every Yama’s boon was a ladder, which was not calculative. Even the last boon, she displays her altruistic side, by telling Yama that she already got what she wanted in the fourth boon and was waiting for Yama to follow it.

Keeping the mind centered that we are not the body, mind or intellect, nor are we the pranas or the possessions or desires is real wisdom. When we shake off what is not real, our mind can constantly be in the pursuit of what is REAL – Atman. Once we realize our Atmic nature, it is easy to realize what is Jagat and transcend beyond to understand Paramatma. Irrespective of our Vasana baggage, we can rise higher. Savitri is not only the archetype of womanhood or humanity, but the best example of living Krishna’s Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Sloka 5. As we hold on to higher principles and ideals, we are slowly lifted to that exalted realm, which open the doors to realizing even higher principles. As we embody Dharma more in our lives, we tap into energies, principles and guidance not available at a mundane egocentric existence.

     Satyavan-Savitri story is more than a simple story to boost the morale of the Pandavas or our children. A closer insight reveals a plethora of hidden wisdom we all can apply in our life and benefit from it. May we try our best to emulate Savitri. May we realize the value of Satsanga.

Om Tat Sat