Page:Tales from the Indian Epics.djvu/99

Rh herself wholly to her husband and thought of nothing else all day long but how to please him. But a dark cloud hung over her happiness, for she could not forget the words which the sage Narada had uttered, namely that Prince Satyavan must die within a year. At last the appointed time was only three days off, and Savitri, in the hope of moving the Immortals, vowed that she would touch no food until Prince Satyavan had survived the hour fixed for his death. At last the day itself dawned. Savitri worshipped the sun and the fire blazing on the hearth. Then she bowed to all the Brahmans of the king's household, and to King Dyumatsena and to her mother-in-law, and they in turn blessed her saying, "Daughter, may the gods grant that you never lose your husband." Then they pressed her to eat. But she again repeated her vow to let nothing pass her lips until Satyavan's hour of peril was over. Suddenly the prince rose and taking a hatchet set forth for the forest. Instantly Savitri rose also. "Wait my husband," she said, "let me go with you. To-day I cannot leave you." Satyavan sought to dissuade her. "You are weak with fasting," he said, "and the paths are steep and rugged." But Savitri's love for the prince overcame her weakness and she begged him earnestly not to forbid her. Satyavan at last consented but told her to bid the king and queen farewell. For he was afraid that she might die of fatigue in the forest. Savitri did so, and explained to them that she could not abandon Satyavan on his last day of life. Nor could she beg him not to go into the forest. For he said that he wished to cut wood for the sacrificial fire. The king and queen understood, and blessing her they bade her care for Satyavan. Savitri went back to the prince and the two entered the woods. And the prince