Page:Nine Ideal Indian Women.djvu/101

 SAVITRI

Savitri was a princess who lived many hundreds of years ago. Her name has its place in the golden legends of ideals of Hindu women. Even now, the very name fills Hindu hearts with the remembrance of a love which was so pure and strong that it conquered the King of Death.

Savitri was the only child of the Maharajah Ashwapati of Abanti. He and his Queen had been married for many years. Though they were happy, a grief of their lives was that they had no son. Often Ashwapati besought the gods, with tears and prayers, to send him an heir. Once, as he prayed thus before the God of Fire, the goddess Savitri was seen standing in the heart of the flames. Knowing what the Maharajah’s prayer was for, she granted him his wish, and told him he would have a daughter, who would bring joy and glory to his kingdom and to him.

The Maharani of Abanti gave birth to a little daughter, after ten months of the horn (sacred fire). She was named Savitri after the goddess. The little Princess grew to be a very lovely maiden, tenderly cherished by her parents, and the hope of the people of Abanti.

In those far-off days, Indian ladies were not kept in seclusion, and many of them were highly educated and accomplished. Savitri would one day succeed her father, so Ashwapati Maharajah supervised her education himself, not only that she might hold her own with the most cultured in the land, but also that she might learn to administer the kingdom for the welfare and advancement of its subjects. It was a pretty sight to see the young Princess listening seriously to the learned professors and sages who aided in her education.

The Maharani chose several girls, of noble family, to be her child’s constant companions and Princess Savitri’s days were happy, and her life flowed on like a gentle stream of joy.