Section CCLXLVI

"Markandeya said,

'Meanwhile the mighty Dyumatsena, having regained his sight, could see everything. And when his vision grew clear he saw everything around him. And, O bull of the Bharata race, proceeding with his wife Saivya to all the (neighbouring) asylums in search of his son, he became extremely distressed on his account. And that night the old couple went about searching in asylums, and rivers, and woods, and floods.

And whenever they heard any sound, they stood rising their heads, anxiously thinking that their son was coming, and said,

'O yonder comes Satyavan with Savitri!'

And they rushed hither and thither like maniacs, their feet torn, cracked, wounded, and bleeding, pierced with thorns and Kusa blades. Then all the Brahmanas dwelling in that hermitage came unto them, and surrounding them on all sides, comforted them, and brought them back to their own asylum. And there Dyumatsena with his wife surrounded by aged ascetics, was entertained with stories of monarchs of former times. And although that old couple desirous of seeing their son, was comforted, yet recollecting the youthful days of their son, they became exceedingly sorry.

And afflicted with grief, they began to lament in piteous accents, saying,

'Alas, O son, alas, O chaste daughter-in-law, where are you?'

Then a truthful Brahmana of the name of Suvarchas spake unto them, saying,

'Considering the austerities, self-restraint, and behaviour of his wife Savitri, there can be no doubt that Satyavan lives!'

And Gautama said,

'I have studied all the Vedas with their branches, and I have acquired great ascetic merit. And I have led a celibate existence, practising also the Brahmacarya mode of life. I have gratified Agni and my superiors. With rapt soul I have also observed all the vows: and I have according to the ordinance, frequently lived upon air alone. By virtue of this ascetic merit, I am cognisant of all the doings of others. Therefore, do you take it for certain that Satyavan lives.'

Thereupon his disciple said,

'The words that have fallen from the lips of my preceptor can never be false. Therefore, Satyavan surely lives.'

And the Rishi said,

'Considering the auspicious marks that his wife Savitri bears and all of which indicate immunity from widowhood, there can be no doubt that Satyavan lives!'

And Varadvaja said,

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

And Dalbhya said,

’since you have regained your sight, and since Savitri has gone away after completion of the vow, without taking any food, there can be no doubt that Satyavan lives.'

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 your having regained the use of your eyes, indicating your usefulness for earthly purposes once more, there can be no doubt that Satyavan lives.'

And Dhauma said,

'As your 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 lives.'

"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 your son, and your restoration to eye-sight, we all wish you well, O lord of earth. Your meeting with your son, the sight of your daughter-in-law, and your restoration to sight—constitute a threefold prosperity which you have gained. What we all have said must come to pass: there can be no doubt of this. Henceforth you 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, O Partha, seated with the monarch those dwellers of the woods, actuated by curiosity, asked the king’s son, saying,

'Why didst you not, O illustrious one, come back earlier with your wife? Why hast you come so late in the night? What obstacle prevented you! We do not know, O son of a king, why you have caused such alarm to us, and to your father and mother. It behoves you to tell us all about this,'

Thereupon, Satyavan said,

'With the permission of my father, I went to the woods with Savitri. There, as I was hewing wood in the forest, I felt a pain in my head. And in consequence of the pain, I fell into a deep sleep.—This is all that I remember. I had never slept so long before I have come so late at night, in order that you might not grieve (on my account). There is no other reason for this.'

Gautama then said,

'You knowest not then the cause of your father’s sudden restoration to sight. It, therefore, behoves Savitri to relate it. I wish to hear it (from you), for surely you are conversant with the mysteries of good and evil. And, O Savitri, I know you to be like the goddess Savitri herself in splendour. You must know the cause of this. Therefore, do you relate it truly! If it should not be kept a secret, do you unfold it unto us!'

At these words of Gautama Savitri said,

'It is as you surmise. Your desire shall surely not be unfulfilled. I have no secret to keep. Listen to the truth then! The high-souled Narada had predicted the death of my husband. To-day was the appointed time.

I could not, therefore, bear to be separated from my husband’s company. And after he had fallen asleep, Yama, accompanied by his messengers, presented himself before him, and tying him, began to take him away towards the region inhabited by the Pitris.

Thereupon I began to praise that august god, with truthful words. And he granted me five boons, of which do you hear from me! For my father-in-law I have obtained these two boons, viz., his restoration to sight as also to his kingdom. My father also has obtained a hundred sons. And I myself have obtained a hundred sons. And my husband Satyavan has obtained a life of four hundred years. It was for the sake of my husband’s life that I had observed that vow.

Thus have I narrated unto you in detail the cause by which this mighty misfortune of mine was afterwards turned into happiness.

The Rishis said,

'O chaste lady of excellent disposition, observant of vows and endued with virtue, and sprung from an illustrious line, by you has the race of this foremost of kings, which was overwhelmed with calamities, and was sinking in an ocean of darkness, been rescued.'

"Markandeya continued,

'Then having applauded and reverenced that best of women, those Rishis there assembled bade farewell to that foremost of kings as well as to his son. And having saluted them thus, they speedily went, in peace with cheerful hearts, to their respective abodes.'"