The Story of Savitri - Part 26 of 31

(Continued...)

Thereupon, Savitri addressed him, saying, 'The night deepens. I shall, prince, relate everything unto thee on the morrow. Arise, arise, may good betide thee !

And, O thou of excellent vows, come and behold thy parents ! The sun hath set a long while ago and the night deepens.

Those rangers of the night, having frightful voices, are walking about in glee. And sounds are heard, proceeding from the denizens of the forest treading through the woods.

These terrible shrieks of jackals that are issuing from the south and the east make my heart tremble ( in fear ) !'

Satyavan then said, 'Covered with deep darkness, the wilderness hath worn a dreadful aspect. Thou wilt, therefore, not be able to discern the tract, and consequently wilt not be able to go !'

Then Savitri replied, 'In consequence of a conflagration having taken place in the forest today a withered tree standeth aflame, and the flames being stirred by the wind are discerned now and then. I shall fetch some fire and light these faggots around.

Do thou dispel all anxiety. I will do all ( this ) if thou darest not go, for I find thee unwell. Nor wilt thou be able to discover the way through this forest enveloped in darkness.

Tomorrow when the woods become visible, we will go hence, if thou please ! If, O sinless one, it is thy wish, we shall pass this night even here !'

At these words of hers, Satyavan replied, 'The pain in my head is off ; and I feel well in my limbs. With thy favour I wish to behold my father and mother. 

Never before did I return to the hermitage after the proper time had passed away. Even before it is twilight my mother confineth me within the asylum.

Even when I come out during the day, my parents become anxious on my account, and my father searcheth for me, together with all the inhabitants of the sylvan asylums. Before this, moved by deep grief, my father and mother had rebuked me many times and often, saying, Thou earnest having tarried long !

 I am thinking of the pass they have today come to on my account, for, surely, great grief will be theirs when they miss me. 

One night before this, the old couple, who love me dearly, wept from deep sorrow and said unto me, 'Deprived of thee, O son, we cannot live for even a moment. 

As long as thou livest, so long, surely, we also will live. Thou art the crutch of these blind ones ; on thee doth perpetuity of our race depend.

(Continued...)