The Story of Savitri - Part 29 of 31

(Continued...)

 

And the Rishi said, 'Considering the auspicious marks that his wife Savitri beareth and all of which indicate immunity from widowhood, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth !'

And Varadwaja said, 'Having regard to the ascetic merit, self-restraint, and conduct of his wife Savitri, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth.'

And Dalbhya said, 'Since thou hast regained thy sight, and since Savitri hath gone away after completion of the vow, without taking any food, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth.'

And Apastamba said, 'From the manner in which the voices of birds and wild animals are being heard through the stillness of the atmosphere on all sides, and from the fact also of thy having regained the use of thy eyes, indicating thy usefulness for earthly purposes once more, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth.'

And Dhauma said, 'As thy son is graced with every virtue, and as he is the beloved of all, and as he is possessed of marks betokening a long life, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth.

Markandeya continued, 'Thus cheered by those ascetics of truthful speech, Dyumatsena pondering over those points, attained a little ease.

A little while after, Savitri with her husband Satyavan reached the hermitage during the night and entered it with a glad heart.

The Brahmanas then said, 'Beholding this meeting with thy son, and thy restoration to eyesight, we all wish thee well, O lord of earth. Thy meeting with thy son, thy sight of thy daughter-in-law, and thy restoration to sight consitute a threefold prosperity which thou hast gained.

What we all have said must come to pass : there can be no doubt of this. Henceforth thou shalt rapidly grow in prosperity.'

Then, O Pritha's son, the twice-born ones lighted a fire and sat themselves down before king Dyumatsena. 

And Saivya, and Satyavan, and Savitri who stood apart, their hearts free from grief, sat down with the permission of them all.

Then, Partha, seated with the monarch those dwellers of the woods, actuated by curiosity, asked the king's son, saying, 'Why didst thou not, O illustrious one, come back earlier with thy wife ? Why hast thou come so late in the night ?

What obstacle prevented thee ! We do not know, son of a king, why thou hast caused such alarm to us, and to thy father and mother. It behoveth thee to tell us all about this.'

(Continued...)