03.278
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
Then, O Bhārata, the king of Madra, having arrived with Nārada, sat in the middle of the assembly for the purpose of narration. (03-278-1)
Then, after visiting all the holy places and hermitages, Sāvitrī returned to her father's house accompanied by the ministers. (03-278-2)
Seeing her father, the auspicious one, seated together with Nārada, she respectfully saluted the feet of both with her head. (03-278-3)
Nārada said.
Where did your daughter go, O king, and from where indeed has she now come? For what reason do you not give this young woman to a husband? (03-278-4)
The lord of horses said.
Indeed, she was sent on business by this very person just today and has come. Therefore, O divine sage, hear who is the husband chosen by her. (03-278-5)
Markaṇḍeya said.
When urged by her father, 'Say it in detail,' the auspicious lady, as if accepting the words of a god, spoke as follows. (03-278-6)
Among the Śālvas there was a righteous Kṣatriya king, named Dyumatsena, who later became blind. (03-278-7)
The kingdom of his wise young son, whose sight was lost, was taken away by the former enemy taking advantage of this opportunity. (03-278-8)
He departed to the forest together with his devoted wife. Having entered the great wilderness, that man of great vows performed austere penance. (03-278-9)
His son was born in the city and raised in the forest hermitage; Satyavan, fit to be my husband, was chosen in my mind. (03-278-10)
Nārada said.
Alas, O King, a great sin was indeed committed by Sāvitrī; unknowingly, she chose the virtuous Satyavān. (03-278-11)
His father speaks the truth, his mother speaks the truth; therefore, the brāhmaṇas gave him this name: 'Satyavān.' (03-278-12)
Horses are dear to the boy; he makes horses of clay, and also draws horses in pictures, so he is called 'picture horse.' (03-278-13)
The king said.
Indeed, is he now—powerful or intelligent, the prince; patient also or heroic, truthful, the delight of his father? (03-278-14)
Nārada said.
He is radiant like the Sun, equal to Bṛhaspati in wisdom, valiant like Indra, and endowed with forbearance like the Earth. (03-278-15)
Aśvapati said.
Is he, the king's son, truly a giver, devoted to Brahman or truthful? Or is he handsome, noble, or pleasant to behold? (03-278-16)
Nārada said.
He (i.e., the person referred to) was, in the quality of restraint, equal to Rantideva in giving by his own power; he was devoted to Brahman and a speaker of truth like Śibi, the descendant of Uśīnara. (03-278-17)
He was noble like Yayāti, charming as Soma, in appearance resembling one of the Aśvins, and the powerful son of Dyumatsena. (03-278-18)
He is self-controlled, gentle, valiant, truthful, one who has conquered his senses. He is friendly, free from envy, modest, and steadfast. (03-278-19)
Constant straightforwardness in that is his firm state; in brief, this is described by ascetic elders and those advanced in virtue. (03-278-20)
The lord of horses said.
O blessed one, you are describing him to me as endowed with all virtues. Tell me also of his faults, if there are any here. (03-278-21)
Nārada said.
He has but one fault, no other: Satyavan from today, within a year, having a shortened span of life, will relinquish his body. (03-278-22)
The king said.
Come, Sāvitrī, go, choose another, O beautiful one. His one great fault remains, surpassing all virtues. (03-278-23)
As the venerable Nārada, honored by the gods, told me: he, being short-lived, will give up his body within a year. (03-278-24)
Savitri said.
A share is allotted only once; a daughter is given only once; and the words 'I give' are said only once—these three are to be done only once. (03-278-25)
Whether he is long-lived or short-lived, virtuous or even without virtues, the husband once chosen by me, I do not choose another (second one). (03-278-26)
First, determination is made in the mind, then it is expressed through speech, afterward the action is performed; thus, for me, the mind is the source of proof. (03-278-27)
Nārada said.
O best of men, the resolve of Sāvitrī, your daughter, is firm—she cannot be swayed from this righteousness in any way. (03-278-28)
The qualities that are in Satyavati are indeed not present in another man; therefore, it is only the giving in marriage of your daughter that pleases me. (03-278-29)
The king said.
This word spoken by the revered one is indeed true and not deliberated. I shall do just this, for my teacher is indeed exalted. (03-278-30)
Narada said.
Let there be no hindrance in the marriage of Sāvitrī, your daughter. We shall proceed now. May well-being be for all of you. (03-278-31)
Markandeya said.
After saying this, Nārada rose to the sky and went to heaven. The king also carried out all the marriage ceremonies for his daughter. (03-278-32)
