24-01-2016 Sunday
Holy Mother By Swami Nikhilananda: 021

Introduction: Women of India - 18

Time passed and only four days were left before the arrival of the fateful moment. Savitri fasted and prayed day and night. On the morning of the fourth day she performed her usual household duties with a heavy heart, without betraying her emotion in the slightest degree. When Satyavan was ready to go to the forest, axe in hand, to cut fuel, she asked to accompany him. Delighted to have her by his side, he made her sit under a tree and began to chop wood. She kept an unwavering eye on him and suddenly noticed that the motion of his hands was gradually slowing down and the sound of the strokes was becoming weaker. Then he staggered towards her, saying that he was about to faint. As Satyavan lay on the ground with his head her lap, she saw at a distance a black figure with red eyes, carrying a noose in his hand. He said to Savitri that he was Yama, the Lord of the nether world, the abode of the dead. Reminding her that Satyavan’s days on earth were over, he drew the soul from his body, tied it with the noose, and started on his way. Savitri followed Yama, who at length turned round and asked her to return home and prepare her husband’s funeral rites. She reminded him that an eternal law bound husband and wife together, and that she would not be parted from him. The King of Death, in order to console her, offered Savitri several boons which would restore her father-in-law’s eyesight and kingdom and bless her own father with worthy sons to carry on the royal duties after his death. Then, because she continued to follow her husband’s soul, Yama offered her one more boon – anything except Satyavan’s life. This time Savitri prayed to him for one hundred sons, strong and wise, to perpetuate her line. Yama absent mindedly granted the favour and asked Savitri to depart peacefully. Thereupon Savitri asked Yama how she could have children unless her husband was restored to life. She begged him to give back Satyavan to her so that his words might come true. The King of death had no alternative but to return Satyavan to Savitri, and was happy to be outwitted by a woman so pure, fearless, and loyal. On account of her chaste love for her husband, Savitri has been raised to the position of a goddess, and even now orthodox Hindu women observe religious rites for three days, every year, in her honour.

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Holy Mother - Being the Life of Sri Sarada Devi Wife of Sri Ramakrishna And Helpmate in his Mission By Swami Nikhilananda p: 12 – 13

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