Stanzawise Summary:
Stanza 1:
Savitri was the only child of Madra's wise and mighty king, Ashwapati. Brave hard hearted soldiers used to smile on seeing her as mountains smile to see the spring. In short their response was joyful. She inspired freshness like a lotus in moon light during extremely hot season. She always looked happy and walked lightly. Unknown people meeting by chance used to turn back to look at her for a long time and wished for her joy.
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| Toru Dutt’s Poem Savitri—Summary of Part 1 |
Stanza 2:
It was her own individual peculiar charm that she was pure, pretty and innocent like a child. No ill - intentioned man was able to observe her beauty, for he felt ashamed on marking her simplicity. Her face was blessed with divine purity. There was a reflection of divine grace in her rising youth.
Stanza 3:
In those ancient days Indian girls were not confined to Zenanas, a portion reserve for ladies. Savitri was free to go to any place of her choice, for hours together with her friends. She used to visit gardens or hermit's huts to meet saints for seeing her they were pleased. They used to teach the best of their knowledge.
Stanza 4:
She was at liberty in all matters whether small or great for her father never feared for her . He had full faith in her snow like purity. He was blessed with this child after a long since his marriage. For her he had fasted and prayed severely. She was gifted by Lord Shiva and he would guard her. None could spoil her beauty. His faith was firm and without fear or doubt her father had given all to her that she wanted.
Stanza 5:
And so like a boy she was free to wander anywhere. It was a happy time in which no worries could trouble her and no sorrow could spoil her youthful joy. Her father suffered from only one worry where to find out a proper match for such an innocent girl. With the Queen he used to discuss the problem how to select her match. She suggested to leave it to God with the hope that Savitri herself would find out her husband.
Stanza 6:
Months passed and one summer morning Savitri visited a field. There she saw some young men at play. They were sons of hermits living there. One of them was tall, smart and royal in manners. His face was so happy and attractive. Savitri's eyes were not willing to turn away. She stared at his face and heaved a sigh of love. Her peace of mind was lost.
Stanza 7:
Her condition suggested it was love. Poets refer to it as love at first sight. It is a reality. Heaven above is witness that suddenly the heart gets the life partner within no time. We remain busy in our trifles and do not know about its progress, just as the breaking of branch does not make a noise. But love either makes or ruins life. Their eyes just met and brought about the union of sight. Savitri visited a favourable saint. Her heart - rose had at last opened for love had knocked at her heart.
Stanza 8:
Having talked to the saint she came to know the whereabouts of that boy. His name was Satyavan. His father was former king of Salva Being old and blind he could not guard himself from his enemies who snatched his sceptre from his hand. Now, he lived with his wife and only son there. He was the most gentle of all hermits.
Stanza 9:
The tragic story of Satyavan's misfortune was said and heard with many tears for the narration made the listeners weep. It brought to light Satyavan's praise. It affected and changed the colour of Savitri's face. On hearing evening bells in the temple, she returned home leaving her virgin heart behind and thinking of her lover. She went away making exchange of love with heart. Certainly, true love is a divine inspiration. Under its influence, all objects looked brighter to her. A bright rainbow decorated all huts and fields looked more colourful.
Stanza 10:
Savitri's first duty was to tell about her feeling of love to her mother. The queen, to drive away her fears, rushed to the king. He asked the cause of her worry. With a bit of joy and sorrow she narrated all to the king. The king too was worried. He wanted to know about Satyavan's family. Without knowing that all it was not possible for him to think about the match for marriage.
Stanza 11:
To dilute the King's doubt, Narad came. The old man was Brahma's son and used to exchange tales. King welcomed him in hope of knowing about Satyavan from him. Narad knew the history of Satyavan. The sun’s, the moon’s, the planets’ birth was not to him a mystery , therefore , he could calculate Satyavan's future .
Stanza 12:
Savitri's father gave a warm welcome to Narad. Savitri passed through the room. Narad marked her and asked about her. Her shining beauty had filled the place with light. Her appearance was of a fairy. King told him that she was his only daughter and she was not married. Narad said with a smile that he should not delay in that matter.
Stanza 13:
King claimed that Savitri's marriage was the only worry. He wanted the wise man Narad's mature advice for that. She had seen a hermit youth and she liked him. Narad asked about his introduction. She told about his family that was gentle and respectful to Narad. She told them whatever they asked from her. Narad did not approve the match. Narad asked her to choose another boy to marry. The Muni called the choice unfortunate.
Stanza 14:
Savitri refused to give up her choice for at heart Satyavan was her husband. She had no power to forget him. God does not permit for it. She knew it was a deadly sin. Besides it, there was no cause for that. He was not a criminal. Narad assured that only time would prove the cause of his warning. She should believe that his warning was not baseless. Savitri ought to have faith in his words. Yet she refused to break her promise for it would hurt her heart that she could not bear. The thought of giving up Satyavan filled her mind with grief.
Stanza 15:
The father concluded having heard arguments by Narad and Savitri that it was absurd. Thus with gentle words he ended the debate. He asked Narad to speak as a friend, if Satyavan suffered from any weakness. Narad remarked that Satyavan was worthy and there was none to contradict this report. He was a Suryavansi. He belonged to the family of Soorasen. Dyoumatsen his father was blind. Their family was famous. Dyoumatsen was the best of all kings.
Stanza 16:
Savitri's father asked if all was well what obstructed the marriage. Loss of wealth and kingdom was not important. It did not reduce his qualities. His virtue was too solid to decay in adversity. He did not care for worldly gains. He wished for these qualities in his son-in-law. He did not find any fault in Satyavan. Since the King wanted to hear the bitter truth, Narad disclosed the truth that according to the nativity Satyavan would survive only a year.
Stanza 17:
Hearing it, king's mind changed. The monarch knew that Narad could tell the future of all human beings. He looked worried and gently took Savitri's palm in his hand. He decided to change Savitri's mind. He claimed no girl was authorized to choose husband without her parents’ permission. Besides, she had not made any promise to Satyavan. Her affection to the youth was merely a passing thought. If she gave up the thought she would not be held a sinner.
Stanza 18:
Her father warned that she should be aware of the cursed life of a widow devoted to religious observance, fasts, and self - punishment. It is a hopeless while hope is the joy of life. A widow's life goes but as a burden that is dull, confused and sad. It is worse than living on a desert hill for only the dull voice of the sea is audible there. If this act is sinful, he would be held sinner and she would be free from the stigma of being a sinner.
Stanza 19:
In the virgin beauty her cheek looked pink and her eyes were bright for the warning had no effect on Savitri. Like a statue, she stood in her firmness. Her reply was harsh that all submit to Destiny for none can escape his fate. It is inevitable like a command by Him. A girl chooses her husband but only once. Only once a father gives away his daughter to a man in presence of holy fire.
Stanza 20:
She too has given her heart to a man but once. No change is possible now. If something is done against conscience the result is ruin. A silent vow is not less virtuous and if she breaks it she would be a sinner. To avoid that sin , she is ready to remain unmarried in that condition . She asks if anybody has power to avoid what is written in the book of his fate.
Stanza 21:
If it is her fate to lead the life of a widow, she would not be able to avoid those miseries. Human efforts can't avoid ruin and no man can struggle against his fate. All desires are not fulfilled in human world. Death is inevitable. Permanent peace of mind is not given to human beings. When advantage leads there is loss of destination in confusion. All must be guided by what is right. All must be dutiful. She too would be judged by sense of right and duty.
Stanza 22:
Having said this she looked at her father and Narad. The father was unwilling to give his consent to Savitri's choice. But her argument convinced Narad. Blessing Savitri he said that no man must question God's will. All confusions disappear with a soft signal from Him. At this, the monarch approved Satyavan. Only God is worthy of praise for all actions. He declared that Savitri would wed the person of her choice and that person would be Satyavan.