Introduction:
Toru Dutt's Savitri deals with a traditional story borrowed from the ancient Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata. The story told by Toru Dutt is not of a goddess but a human being. She is the princess of Madra and only child of her father King Ashwapati. Savitri is better known as the mortal wife of Satyavan, a royal prince living like a hermit for his father Dyoumatsen is the former king of Salva and he lost the throne to his enemies because he had grown old, blind and weak. Savitri's true love for her husband Satyavan is the basic theme of this story. This inspiring ancient legend of India is rendered in verse by Toru Dutt.
Savitri: The Princess of Madra:
Savitri was the only child of Madra's wise and mighty king, Ashwapati. 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. 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. The quality is expressed poetically in the following lines:
"Her charm was this - upon her face
Childlike and innocent and fair,
No man with thought impure or base
Could ever look - the glory there,
The sweet simplicity and grace.
Abashed the boldest."
Savitri 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. Like a boy she was free to wander anywhere. Her father with the Queen used to hope that Savitri herself would find out her husband.
Savitri's Love:
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. Her condition suggested it was love.
"She looked and looked, then gave a sigh,
And slackened suddenly her pace.
What was the meaning was it love?
Love at first sight, as poets sing.
Is then no fiction?"
Poets refer to it as love at first sight. It is a reality. 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.
"Her heart - rose opened had at last
Opened no flower can ever shut."
Savitri: A Dutiful Child:
Toru's inspiring poetry gives a sublime grace to Savitri's love. She does not hide it from her mother. Toru points out that Savitri's first duty was to tell about her feeling of love to her mother. The queen narrated all to the king. 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. To dilute the King's doubt, Narad came. 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 did not approve the match.
"Ah, no! ah, no ! It cannot be
Choose out another husband, dear;
The Muni cried, or woe is me!"
Narad asked her to choose another boy for the choice was unfortunate.
Savitri's Resolution: Inspiration of True Love:
Savitri was inspired by true love and refused to give up her choice for at heart Satyavan was her husband. She had no power to forget him. Narad remarked that Satyavan 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. Narad disclosed the truth that according to the nativity Satyavan would survive only a year.
"Since thou insistest, King, to hear
The fatal truth, I tell you, I
Upon this day as rounds the year
The young Prince Satyavan shall die."
Hearing it, king's mind changed. He looked worried and decided to change Savitri's mind. He claimed no girl was authorized to choose husband without her parents’ permission. Savitri's father warned that she should be aware of the cursed life of a widow. A widow's life goes but as a burden that is dull, confused and sad. 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.
“Once, and once only, all submit
To Destiny, tis God's command:
Once, and once only, so tis writ,
Shall woman pledge her faith and hand.”
Only once a father gives away his daughter to a man in presence of holy fire. She asks if anybody has power to avoid what is written in the book of his fate. If it is her fate to lead the life of a widow, she would not be able to avoid those miseries.
“If Fate so rules, that I should feel
The miseries of a widow's life,
Can man's device the doom repeal?
Unequal seems to be a strife,
Between Humanity and Fate.”
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.
Savitri's Success, Consent and Marriage:
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. This success leads to their marriage with pomp and show. Satyavan's love for her enables her to adjust with her circumstances. She works hard and keeps her in laws happy.
“False was the fear the parents felt,
Savitri liked her new life much;
Though in a lowly home she dwelt
Her conduct as a wife was such
As to illumine all the place.”
She keeps fast for long life of her husband. The year passes in this state and the day comes on which Narad had predicted for Satyavan's death.
Satyavan's Death:
From morning to noon she remained praying then she became a bit hopeful. She hoped that Satyavan was safe. The gentle evening's shades came on, when she heard her husband's voice. Satyavan told his mother that he was going to gather fruit and fuel for the air was cool and he would be back in an hour or two. She pointed out that it is the part of her prayer not to leave her husband alone in danger. Hearing it her father in law permitted her to go.
Satyavan saw the branches of the trees. The noise of cutting branches disturbed the peace of the forest. Savitri's mind was filled with the thought of death which she wished to forget. Suddenly the noise of cutting branches stopped. Satyavan's axe fell down. The cause was known to Savitri. He was too sick to stop the work.
“Sudden the noise is hushed, a pause!
Satyavan lets the weapon drop
Too well Savitri knows the cause,
He feels not well, the work must stop.”
He suffered from a severe headache as if he was stung by a cobra. His consciousness was lost. There was congestion in his chest. His strength failed and he fell down. He grew blind and asked if it was death. He gave one start and then his senses stopped working.
Savitri and Yama:
As still Savitri was sitting beside her dying husband, she saw Yama who wore a bright crown, a dark red gown and a belt round his waist. His skin was dark, his face, serious yet bright, his eyes were full of love and mercy but their brightness was horrible. Yama bound Satyavan's soul not bigger than a thumb to take away with him. Savitri saw it all like a statue. But when Yama moved to his kingdom Savitri followed him. It surprised Yama and he asked her not to follow him but go home. Yama warned her that the place was not for the living. The duty of a widow is mentioned in the Shastras and accordingly she should pass the rest of her life.
The First Boon:
Yama had full sympathy with Savitri's true love for her husband. Now she must be guided by her duty. Savitri claimed that it was her duty to follow her husband wherever he went. Yama should have pity on a suffering woman like her and he must permit her to follow her husband in any condition. Savitri told that the world is only an illusion in which nothing is permanent.
“I know that in this transient world
All is delusion, nothing true,
I know its shows are mists unfurled
To please and vanish. To renew
Its bubble joys be magic bound
In Maya's network frail and fair,
Is not my aim!”
She did not wish her husband back for worldly pleasures. All these emotional ties are made to be broken and death is the ultimate truth of life and it makes all senses dull. It is the conclusion of life. Duty is the only true friend to make great progress. Savitri's sublime thoughts impressed Yama. Yama could not give back Satyavan's life and could not take Savitri's life. Yama promised to grant her a boon. Savitri welcomed it. She asked Yama to restore her father in law's lost sight and throne. It was granted.
The Second Boon:
Yama asked Savitri to go back for the night was growing dark and the way was rougher. Savitri claimed that she was not tired for she was with Satyavan. It was vowed at marriage that husband and wife should be together in joy and sorrow. Accordingly she had to go where Satyavan was being taken. Savitri claimed all human beings wish to feel the influence of goodness. She was willing to go with Yama to hear his true gentle words.
“But I would fain with thee go on,
And bear thy voice so true and kind;
The false lights that on the objects shone
Have vanished and no longer blind,
Thanks to thy simple presence.
Now I feel a fresher air around,
And see the glory of that brow
With flashing rubies fitly crowned.”
Under his divine influence, worldly scene has disappeared and now the air was fresh. She is able to see his glorious face crowned with rubies. Savitri claimed if people understand death's true nature, they would find that Yama is above all gods. Yama wins all with patience and merciful love. Yama remarked that Savitri's words were true. Yama asked her to take another boon, but he could not grant Satyavan's life and take her life. Savitri requested that Yama should grant the boon that her father should beget one hundred children. Yama granted the boon.
The Third Boon:
Savitri felt obliged to Yama for granting her boons. She was sure if she wished for one more boon that too would be granted but she was not willing to give up sweet company of Yama and Satyavan. In their company she felt no way was long. It is a blessing to be in the company of the best.
“Oh let me let me ever dwell
Amidst the good, where'er it be
Whether in lowly hermit - cell
Or in some spot beyond the sea.”
She should be allowed ever to live with the good for, it is unimportant where the good resides. Boon granted by gods never go in vain and inspire virtue whether it is visible or not. All fasts and prayers make the person spiritually sublime that lead to noble joys. Yama declared that Savitri was blessed with all qualities of head and heart. The purity of her soul was visible on her face and all gods should bless her with peace of mind. Yama too wished to give her one more boon. Her former boons were related to her father and father in law, now she should ask a boon for personal joy.
“Ask something for thyself, and live
Happy, and dear to all below,
Till summoned to the bliss above.
Savitri ask, and ask unblamed.
She took the clue, felt Death was Love,
For no exceptions now he named.”
Savitri was intelligent enough to catch the hint and mercy of Yama for no restriction was imposed now. She claimed that Yama is omniscient and knows all. There was no need to speak to attain his mercy. She had only one wish to have Satyavan alive and children from him, Yama blessed that she would give birth to a hundred families and all sons shall be kings.
A Song of True Love's Victory:
In this way Toru Dutt's Savitri is a song of true love's victory. Having granted the third boon, Yama loosed Satyavan's soul and blessed them with happy life. Having taken Satyavan's soul she rushed to his dead body. Savitri lifted Satyavan's dead body and supported his head upon her breast then she placed his soul on his heart where it entered the body and Satyavan woke up with a start. He looked all-round in confusion as if his long sleep were broken. Savitri proved true love is immortal. In this way an ancient inspiring legend of Savitri's true love for her husband is rendered in verse by the poetess.