03.282
Mārkaṇḍeya said.
But at this very time, in the great forest, Dyumatsena, having regained his sight and with a tranquil mind, saw everything with his own eyes. (03-282-1)
O best of men, for the sake of his son, he visited all the hermitages with Śaibya, his wife, and fell into the deepest distress. (03-282-2)
The husband and wife wandered through hermitages, rivers, forests, and lakes, searching all those regions. (03-282-3)
Having heard a certain sound and, suspecting for their son, both turned that way; together with Sāvitrī, Satyavān thus came running. (03-282-4)
With broken, rough, wounded, blood-stained feet, and limbs pierced by kuśa grass and thorns, the two ran about like madmen. (03-282-5)
Then, those Brāhmaṇas, all the hermitage-dwellers, having surrounded and comforted (them), brought (them) to their own hermitage. (03-282-6)
There, accompanied by his wife, he was surrounded by the aged ascetics and consoled by their wondrous words drawn from tales of former kings. (03-282-7)
Then those two old people, reassured once more and longing to see their son, remembered the events of his childhood and were deeply afflicted with grief. (03-282-8)
The two, emaciated by grief, once again uttered compassionate words: "Alas, son! Alas, O virtuous daughter-in-law! Where are you, where are you?"—and wept. (03-282-9)
Suvarcā said.
Just as Savitri, Satyavan's wife, is endowed with austerity, self-restraint, and good conduct, so too Satyavan lives. (03-282-10)
Gautama said.
I have studied the Vedas with their ancillary sciences; I have accumulated great austerity; I maintained the celibate student’s discipline from my childhood; my teachers and the sacred fire have been pleased. (03-282-11)
By my power of concentration, I have performed all the vows, including the fasts of subsisting on air, and whatever other auspicious acts I have undertaken. (03-282-12)
By this austerity I know everything that is intended to be accomplished. It is true—understand this, that Satyavān is thus (restored). (03-282-13)
The disciple said.
Just as the words that have come from my teacher's mouth, this will never be false; in this way Satyavan lives. (03-282-14)
The sages said:
As Savitri, his wife, is endowed with every auspicious mark that ensures freedom from widowhood, so too does Satyavan live. (03-282-15)
Bhāradvāja said.
Just as Savitri, his wife, is endowed with austerity, self-restraint, and good conduct, so too does Satyavan live in the same way. (03-282-16)
Dalbhya said.
Just as your sight is set, and as is Sāvitrī’s vow—having given up food without breaking it—so Satyavān lives. (03-282-17)
Māṇḍavya said.
Just as they say that in the peaceful region the animals and birds exist and there is also his earthly activity, in the same way, Satyavan lives. (03-282-18)
Dhaumya said.
Your son, endowed with all virtues and beloved by the people, lives long, endowed with the marks of long life—thus lives Satyavan. (03-282-19)
Markandeya said.
Thus, consoled by those ascetics of truthful speech, he appeared as if remaining in place, contemplating those various matters. (03-282-20)
Then, after a moment, Savitri, along with her husband Satyavat, arrived at the hermitage at night in great joy and entered. (03-282-21)
The Brāhmaṇas said.
O lord of the earth, seeing you today united with your son and having your sight, we all indeed ask about your welfare. (03-282-22)
By the good fortune of these three — the meeting with your son, with Sāvitrī, and the restoration of sight and self — you thrive. (03-282-23)
What has thus been spoken here by all of us—that is without doubt. Again and again, your increase will indeed be quick. (03-282-24)
Markandeya said.
Then, having kindled the fire there, all the Brahmins indeed worshipped King Dyumatsena, O Partha. (03-282-25)
Śaibyā, Satyavan, and Sāvitrī stood together on one side, and, having received permission from everyone, they sat down together free from sorrow. (03-282-26)
Then, all those forest-dwellers, being seated together with the king, having become curious, O Partha, asked the son of the king. (03-282-27)
O lord, why did you not come earlier with your wife? And why did you come during the night? What was the reason of your connection? (03-282-28)
Our father, mother, and we are afflicted, O prince; we know it is not without cause, so you ought to tell us everything. (03-282-29)
Satyavan said.
Having received permission from my father, I went together with Sāvitrī. Then, while splitting wood in the forest, I experienced a headache. (03-282-30)
I perceive by sensation that I have slept for a long time. Never before have I slept for so long as this. (03-282-31)
Indeed, the only reason for my returning after night is that I wished none of you should suffer affliction. (03-282-32)
Gautama said.
The sudden regaining of eyesight by your father Dyumatsena—you do not know the reason for this; Savitri ought to tell.
O Sāvitrī, I wish to hear from you, for you indeed know all things. I truly recognize you, O Sāvitrī, to be as radiant as Sāvitrī herself. (03-282-34)
You know the reason here, therefore let the truth be declared. If you do not have any secret here, say so to us. (03-282-35)
Sāvitrī said.
It is thus as you know; your resolve is indeed not otherwise. Nor is there any secret of mine—let what is true here be heard. (03-282-36)
The death of my husband was foretold to me by the great-souled Nārada; and that day has come today, therefore I do not abandon him. (03-282-37)
While he was asleep, Yama himself, accompanied by attendants, directly approached him. Having bound him, Yama led him to the realm attended by the ancestors. (03-282-38)
I praised that god, the all-pervading one, with words of truth. He indeed gave me five boons; hear what they are, O listen to my boons. (03-282-39)
I received two boons from my father-in-law: my eyesight and independent rule; from my father, I obtained a hundred sons, and for my own sons as well, a hundred. (03-282-40)
For me, a husband with a life-span of four hundred years, Satyavan, has been obtained; indeed, for my husband's sake, I have steadfastly performed the vow for his life. (03-282-41)
This truth has been declared by me; I have explained to you in detail the cause, and how this great sorrow of mine, which will end in happiness, came to be. (03-282-42)
The sages said.
O noble lady, the king's family, which was sinking and afflicted by calamities in a pool of darkness, has again been rescued by you, O virtuous and high-born one, endowed with firmness, righteousness, and merit. (03-282-43)
Markaṇḍeya said.
Thus, having praised and honored the excellent lady, the assembled sages took leave of the king and his son, and rejoicing, happily departed directly to their own abode. (03-282-44)
