Summary on Savitri by Dr. M.P Pandit

Book Six Canto I: The Word of Fate

From the immortal regions above, Narad comes chanting to the earth below. As he approaches the earth-scene of ignorance and strife a change comes over his mood and the theme of his song changes. He descends into the palace of King Aswapathy at Madra where he is warmly welcomed at the royal court.

He sings of the toils of men, the mystery of joy behind pain and of the lotus-heart of love. As he is chanting, Savitri walks in with a swift and radiant tread. A halo of wonder and joy surrounds her. Narad looks at her with an inner gaze and knows all, but he holds back his knowledge and asks her whence she has brought the glory that shines around her. Surely she has been to some brighter countries than those of earth and has imbibed the joy of those celestial haunts of the gods! He speaks of her beauty and her radiant happiness, but wonders if the earth’s doom will allow them to remain safe.

The King catches the ominous note of doubt in Narad’s query and asks if dark adversity must visit his fair child of light and felicity. But Narad does not answer. He looks into the unseen future and then asks, as if unknowing, where Savitri has been and whom she has met that she should carry such glory in her heart and paradise in her eyes.

The King narrates how Savitri has been on a quest to find her lord and companion. He asks her to reveal her choice.

Savitri replies in a calm voice that she has chosen Satyavan, son of Dyumatsena, King of Shalwa, now in exile. She has met him in the forest and has made her choice.

Aswapathy looks within himself and sees a heavy shadow looming above the name but chased by a stupendous light. He felicitates his daughter and approves of her choice. Narad is about to speak, but the King appeals to him not to reveal the danger awaiting them in the future and impose the ordeal of foreknowledge on mere mortal men. He asks him to speak only if he can thereby loosen the grip of Fate. Narad remains silent.

The queen is alarmed. She asks the heavenly sage to give his blessings to this union of love and not to bring into being the danger they all feared, by speaking of it. Yet if danger does lurk on the happy path of her Savitri, then he must speak so that they could turn aside and avoid the hazard.

Narad replies slowly that future knowledge only adds to pain but cannot help in avoiding Fate. The queen is still more upset and she accuses the Godhead of the unchanging Law, she bemoans the sorry course of Love in this world and the dominant play of grief in human life. She entreats Narad not to hide the truth of what lies in store for her child.

Narad speaks highly of Satyavan and describes his greatness but adds that he has only twelve more months to live.

The queen cries out in pain complaining against the mockery of grace which gives so largely but allows death to snatch away the gifts. She asks Savitri to go forth once again and choose another for her mate.

But Savitri declines to change her decision. She affirms the strength of her spirit’s will against the law of Fate. The queen appeals to her not to be too visionary and lose sight of the hard realities of life. Love is transient, all life is a play on the stage of the world. She reminds Savitri that she is, after all, human and not of the gods who alone can talk with impunity as she does. She should follow calm reason which is given as a guide to man and not be caught in the wild goose chase of Love.

Savitri is adamant and refuses to yield. She now knows who Satyavan is, who she herself is and why she is here on earth. She has been born to be with Satyavan.