Books with title Savitri

Savitri was the beautiful and learned daughter of a king. When she came of age, many princes sought her hand in marriage but the king did not approve of any of them. Then she started on her own in search of a husband. Her choice fell on Satyavan, son of an exiled king. It was then foretold that Satyavan had only a year more to live. Yet she did not relent. Savitri and Satyavan were married and decided to live in the forest as hermits. Savitri's devotion to her husband was exemplary. When Yama, the God of Death, came to take Satyavan away on the appointed day, she was unafraid and refused to be parted. Impressed by her devotion Yama granted life to Satyavan. Traditionally, full moon day in the month of June is Savitri's day on which married women pray for the wellbeing of their husbands!

This short story is an adaptation from Indian mythology for modern young readers. It is a beautiful story of devotion, courage and generosity. Savitri is a beautiful princess. She falls in love with a prince who has lost his kingdom and is prophesied to die within one year. She is told not to marry him because she could marry any prince in the world with much more to offer her. What will Savitri choose to do? What events will unfold because of her decisions?

The story of Savitri and Satyavan appears in the Mahabharata. It is one of the many stories told by the sage Markandeya to the Pandavas, in exile. Yudhishthira, the eldest Pandava is depressed by having to witness the trials and tribulations of their common wife Draupadi, whose devotion to her husbands only brought her suffering. Markandeya tells him that regardless of what they may have to suffer, chaste and devoted wives will ultimately bring triumph to their loved ones and themselves. Draupadi's goodness would ultimately deliver them from their misfortunes, just as the chaste Savitri's staunch devotion to her husband Satyavan brought good fortune, not only to her parents and her husband's parents, but also to her own self. For it was her intense devotion that gave her the strength to influence the very God of Death, Yama, to release Satyavan from his clutches.