Love conquers all
Sometimes you read in stories and in poems that "the Angel of Death" came to So-and-So, which is a nice way of saying that they died. Whether there really is an angel of Death is not the point. In India people have always said there was, but there he is more likely to be called a "god" of Death. And they know his name: Yama. So here is an Indian story about Yama.
There have been times and places for Indian girls, especially princesses, to search for the husband of their dreams. This is the story of Savitri, a beautiful, strong and righteous princess, now eighteen years old. The king and queen wished her now to marry. Savitri had another idea: "Let me go," she said, "on a trip to see holy men and women, visit hermitages and hear the sound advice of saints. When I come back I shall think about whom to marry."
She did this. Accompanied by a royal retinue, Savitri made her way through forests and deserts and the journey took many months. One day in a forest she saw a strong young man who carried an axe and a bundle of wood. Watching him she was astounded by the dignity and gentle manner of this tall woodsman. Inquiring, Savitri discovered that he was the son of a king and queen who had lost their kingdom because the old king had become blind. They were living in exile in that forest, where Satyavan (that was the young man's name) was caring for them by selling wood. "How wonderful!" she thought.
Returning to her own palace she told her parents that she was ready for a royal wedding, but the bridegroom must be only Satyavan. "Who is Satyavan?" asked the king. Now a wise and holy man, Narada by name, who knew many secrets, was present there. When the princess described the wonderful woodsman, Narada jumped up. "Oh, no! Not that one!" he said. "I happen to know that somebody has put a curse on him: he will die exactly one year from today and she will be a widow."
All attempts to persuade Savitri to change her mind were in vain. "My heart has gone out. I will never marry if I cannot marry Satyavan." What to do? So a message was sent and his parents agreed if only the princess would give up her palace and come and live with them in the forest. They were married. Bride and groom lived happily for many months.
Satyavan knew nothing of the curse. But Savitri kept always in her mind the date when Yama, Lord of Death, would be expected. As the day came near, her heart told her to fast, and to pray. She prayed to God that her courage and resolve might not fail. And every day she asked her husband to let her accompany him to the forest while he worked.
Savitri had calculated the last day of that fateful year. It had arrived. As noon approached, Satyavan suddenly felt very tired, complaining of headache. Coming to rest in the shade beside his young wife, he put his head in her lap and fell into deep sleep. At this moment a grim and shadowy figure, came out of the woods, stately, carrying a rope noose.
"I have not come for you, child," said Yama, smiling, as he put his noose around the soul of Satyavan. Moving back into the forest he said, "Do not grieve: death is certain for all."
Savitri stood up and followed. "Go back" cried Yama, "You cannot follow anyone into the realms of death!" And on she walked, her soul bound in love to Satyavan's. Yama now thought to prevent her following by giving gifts. "If you'll go home, I'll grant you a wish; ask for what you will."
"Then," Savitri replied, "Let my father-in-law recover his eyesight." "Granted. Now turn back, for this is no place for you." She only kept on following. "Girl!" Yama exclaimed, "Do you not hear me? All right, ask another wish."
"Yes, let my husband's parents regain their lost kingdom!" she said. "That, too, is granted. Goodbye." And Savitri followed still. "How can I persuade you, foolish one? one more wish I grant; this time ask something for yourself. You may have anything but the life of Satyavan; but this is my very last gift; after this you will see me no longer." [Can you guess what she asked?]
"Grant me then, that I may have many sons and see their children before I die." "Well and good!" said Yama."This too I give you, on my word." But Savitri followed on. Yama turned sternly.
"Good sir," she said, "in our country a widow does not remarry." The god of Death was trapped. "My child," said he, "brave is the heart that follows a husband even to the grave," and he released Satyavan. An hour later her husband awoke under the tree and told Savitri: I've had the strangest dream! I dreamt that I was dead."
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