MahabarathaTranslated into German by F Bopp, and by Merkel &Hoefer; By Pauthier to French, Bergstedt to swedish; Griffith to English; and our own Kisari Mohan Ganguli among the best english representations; but best of all by John Muir to beautiful poetry; where words fail to praise. to write poetry from prose is no easy task.
The following is a story related by Markandeya to Yudhistira, to his question, If any woman so noble and so devoted to her husband as Draupadi was to them the Pandavas?
A King the Madras ruled of old,
who'es virtues all the world extolled
Religious bounteous, kind sincere.
Self ruled to all his people dear,
Complete in riches power renown.
One thing he lacked his bliss to crown,
Although his years advanced no child,
Had yet upon the monarch smiled.
Distressed by holy rites he wrought
to earn from heaven the boon he sought.
He fasted painful acts austere,
He practised toiling many a year.
When eighteen years thus spent had past,
He gained the long sought grace at last
Savitri then benign appeared.
And thus with words the ascetic cheered.
The goddess Savitri.
These holy rites O pious king
at length their meet reward should bring
Thy merits, fruits thou shalt not loose
Whatever boon thou willest choose.
King Asvapati.
Nothing else I lack my only want
Is offspring, that, O goddess grant,
Bestow I pray, a numerous race
Of noble sons my line to grace.
The Goddess.
Thy longing prince I knew before,
To Brahma's throne thy prayer I bore
And by his favours thou shalt soon
a daughter gain a priceless boon.
I may not now reveal to thee.
That noble maid's high destiny.
The monarch then the woods forsook,
And to his home himself betook,
and soon he gained the boon in store,
His queen the promised daughter bore.
Savitri's gift the child her name
received, a name well known to fame.
In her, as on to youth she grew.
Men Sri Incarnate seemed to view.
Before their eyes a form divine.
In golden lustre seemed to shine.
With wonder all before her stood
But awe struck none the maiden wooed.
although she charmed all hearts and eyes
None dared to sue for such a prize.
The king was grieved that no one came.
The lovely maidens hand to claim
and thus he spake tis now the time.
My daughter dear, in this thy prime.
That thou a princely mate should wed.
Before thy bloom away has fled,
But since thee yet no suitor woos.
Thou must thyself a husband choose.
Go forth and seek a noble youth.
A prince whom thou can'st love in truth
To whom thou may'st devote thy life
A faithful wise and tender wife.
To such a man as thou wilt choose
Thy sire thy hand can ne'er refuse.
His feet saluting, then, the maid
Alert her sire's command obeyed
A chariot mounting forward of gold
By friends escorted sage and old,
To woodland scenes her way she bent
Where royal saints, on heaven intent,
Their lives in acts of penance spent.
Amid these woods Savitri met
A prince on whom her heart she set
When then her choice was fixed, the maid,
No longer in the forest stayed
Arrived at home a saint renowned
within her fathers hall she found
The saint enquired " whence comes the maid
Why are her nuptials still delayed?"
Asvapati.
She went to choose a husband; ask
How she fulfilled her maiden's task
Here then the fair Savitri said
How happily my journey sped
A royal sage with son and wife
leads in lone woods a hermit's life.
He once the selvas sceptre swayed
Upright by willing men obeyed.
But striken blind and helpless grown
By foes assailed he lost his throne.
Within his father's palace born
But soon from life's enjoyments torn
From boyhood reared in forest lone,
His son has there to manhood grown
Tis he the exiled prince's son
Who once beheld my heart has won.
When this the holy sage had heard,
He spoke the melancholy word;
Narada.
Alas that thou hast learned too late
thy choosen bridegrrom's future fate
He soon shall from thine arms be torn
And leave thee widowed sad furlorn
Through all thy life his loss to mourn.
In virtue all the kings of old
He rivals noble general bold
Religious truthful patient mild
In purpose firm in guile a child.
In aspect bland in shape so fair
He seems a God like form to wear.
One fault he has and only one
A fatal fault this monarch's son
Which mortal power to care must fail
Which makes his gifts of no avail
This hapless prince to thee so dear
Shall die fair maid within a year.
Asvapati.
If thou this Prince so soon must loose
My daughter go another choose.
Savitri said, My Father, no
As thou do'st bid I cannot go
One choice alone a maid may make
another lord she ne'er may take
I will not faithless change my mind
Or seek a happier mate to find
Whater'e my chosen lord betide,
By my resolve I fixed abide.
Narada.
Thy daughter's choice, O King is made,
And may no longer be gain said
The man whom she desires in worth
Exceeds all other men on earth.
So let her King to him be given
Nor pine if from her loved one riven.
Asvapati.
Thy work great saint shall all decide
By thy injunction I abide.
For thou art my unfailing guide.
Narada.
May no obstruction King prevent
Fulfilment of thy right intent
I shall provide that all is well
And let my blessings with you dwell
This promise and the blessings given
The saint then soared aloft to heaven.
To realise his fixed intent,
The monarch to the forest went,
Where dwelt the royal sage who'es son
The fair Savitri's heart had won.
Arived he found the royal sage.
within his holy hermitage.
In garb ascetic clad and blind.
beneath a shady tree reclined
Politely then he told that he
had come the royal sage to see
The hermit answering then enquired
What there the stranger King desired.
Say prince what has thee hither brought
The King thus asked told what he sought.
My daughter royal sage I give,
for thy son's bride; my gift receive.
To choose a worthy husband bent,
my daughter to the forest went.
As soon as she had seen thy son,
the prince her hearts affection won.
She home returned her story told
and ardently the prince extolled,
and now I brought her so that ye,
all here the proffered bride may see.
Dyumatsena.
Thou seest king our altered fate
how we have fallen from high estate
And mid these lovely forest drear
Now practice painful rites austere.
How can the princes here abide.
to pine a poor ascetic's bride.
She who to wealth and splendour born.
Would any royal court adorn?
Asvapati.
The maid and I already know
In bygone times both wheel and woe
She, of luxurious ease no slave
The forest's hardships dares to brave
I came in hope my end to gain
Say not that I have come in vain.
I came to be a friend to thee
Be thou, I pray a friend to me.
We well are suited thou and I
To be allied by such a tie.
accept the gift I offer thee,
Nor disappoint the maid and me.
Dyumatsena
I cherished king, in days gone by,
The wish my house with thine tally;
Yet pondering now my fallen state
i judged it meet to hesitate.
But let me now at length behold.
Fulfilled the wish I nursed of old.
Thou are to me a guest desired
a friend to whom my soul aspired.
The Brahmin's then who sojourned there
In wedlock joined the youthful pair
When he had given away the maid
Her father there no longer stayed.
His steps the monarch homeward bent
But glad and sad as on he went
Glad that his child a mate should find.
But sad to leave her far behind.
Her father gone the queenly bride
her jewelled vesture cast aside
And changed it for a garb of gloom
Which ill beseemed her beauty's bloom
The garb of bark which others there,
Ascetics were content to wear.
Some happy days not long to last.
The wedding pair together past.
By kindly acts to all endeared.
Savitri those around her cheered.
But soon her husband's threatened fate
began her soul to agitate.
On that reflecting night and day.
The lovely princess pined away.
When now but four days more were left.
Till from her side he should be reft.
despairing plunged in mournful gloom
In hope per chance to stay his doom.
She undertook a painful rite.
Three days continuing day and night.
At length arrived the dreaded day,
When death should make her lord its pray.
On this the day of threatened woe.
The prince would to the forest go
His axe was taking wood to cleave
Intent their home alone to leave.
Then spake his bride beloved; no
This day alone thou shalt not go.
I pray thee me thy comrade make,
I dare not thee this day forsake."
Prince Satyavat.
"Thou never to the woods has gone.
Before I ever went alone
The road is long and thou art weak
From fasting do not trouble seek.
Savitri.
"I am not faint I'll brave the way
My love, thou must not say me nay.
Satyavat.
If dearest thou to go art bent
I will not frustrate thine intent.
But pray my parents they should know,
thy wish, and give thee leave to go.
Savitri then as he had said.
The royal pairs permission prayed.
"My Lord the forests seeks today
and i behind him dare not stay.
A faithful wife I must abide.
this day by my loved husband's side.
He goes and I would on him wait-
A holy rite to celebrate.
a year has all but since last.
from forth this hermitage i passed,
I long to view the woods in bloom,
And drink from flowers their rich perfume.
Dyumatsena.
"Since thou has dwelt among us nought.
Unseemly hast thou ever sought.
to thy desire we pleased accede.
The prince escort and wakeful lead.
Then with her lord her way she took
With tortured heart though smiling look
By lucid streams mid flowery trees
'mong rustling leaves where played the breeze.
where fair in form and bright in hue,
the startled peacocks round her flew,
behind her lord she onward went.
Her eyes on all his movements bent.
remembering what the saint had said,
She saw him live but deemed him dead.
while he unconscious of his doom,
saw round him nought but joy and bloom,
At first on gathering fruits intent.
The pair around the forest went.
The prince then wood began to hew.
But soon he ceased for faint he grew.
through toil his head began to ache,
And sweat from all his limbs to break.
Exhausted thus he came and said,
"Savitri toil has anguish bred;
My pangs are more than I can bear;
Sharp weapons seem my brain to tear;
My limbs are racked, my heart is torn,
I cannot stand my strength is worn.
O'er my dimmed eyes gloom seems to creep,
In torpor sunk, I fain would sleep;
His spouse her lord was prompt to aid.
His head upon her lap she laid.
she knew that now that fatal day
was come when death should snatch his prey.
while thus she thought, the God she feared.
Himself in awful form appeared.
Dark hued, red eyed, and robed in red.
He yet a sun like lustre shed.
A crown upon his head he wore.
and fetters in his hand he bore.
He stood the dying prince beside.
And steadily his victim eyed.
Then laying down her husband's head,
Savitri rose and trembling said.
"A human form thou dost not wear,
Who art thou, then great God declare?
thy steps why hast thou hither bent?
and what I pray is thine intent?
Yama.
"To this thy Lord O faithful wife.
thou dost devote thy pious life.
I will not now disguise but show,
the mournful truth thou seek'st to know.
I'm Yama, come in chains to bind,
The prince whom here I dying find.
And bear him to the shades below,
Where mortals all at last must go.
Savitri.
"Thy servants come to bear away
Those doomed to Hades, so men say,
Why com'st thou then thyself, great God,
My lord to call to thine abode?"
Yama.
My servants were not worthy deemed
a prince so great, so good esteemed.
as this thy lord from earth to tear.
ant to the nether realms to bear,
I therefore come so rich a pray,
As this, myself, to bear away."
He then the man, a thumb in size,
the life in human forms that lies,
Bound from the princess body drew
which senseless now unsightly grew.
Then carrying off this vital force,
King Yama southward bent his course,
Unable from her Lord to part,
Savitri followed racked in heart,
But Yama said 'Savitri go,
Thou to thy lord no more dost owe.
His funeral rites perform and then,
Nought else shall unfulfilled remain".
Savitri.
"Now my loved Lord is from me torn,
I'll go where even he is borne.
Him tis my duty ne'er to quit.
And gracious thou will this permit.
Good men with one consent declare,
that not with duty may compare;
all thoughtful men share this belief,
that duty is of all things chief.
When good men march on duty's road
By others it is always trod"
Yama.
Thy words, so beauteous, true and right,
Savitri, give my heart delight,
But now no further follow me
return and take a boon with thee.
One thing alone I cannot give
That thy loved lord again should live,
whatever else thou willest choose.
i will no other boon refuse".
Savitri.
Bereft of all the wealth he owned.
My husband's father blind dethroned,
now leads a hermits life restore,
His sight and vigour as before.
yama.
This boon thou cravest not in vain,
The king shall sight and force regain,
But lest far journeying wear thy strength
return Savitri, home at length.
Savitri.
"Fatigue how can I Yama fear,
So long as I my Lord am near?
Where he is carried there I go
No solace now but this I know
No other bliss can this excel
With virtuous friends in love to dwell"
Yama
"The words thou uttered charm the heart,
And even to wise men light impart,
One thing alone I cannot give,
That thy Lord again should live
whatever else thou willest choose
I will no other boon refuse."
Savitri.
"Let my Lord's sire his realm regain
And ever firmly right maintain."
Yama.
"The royal sage shall soon once more,
possess the realm he ruled before,
From duty's path will never stray.
But true to right his sceptre sway.
I've given the boon on which thy heart,
was set, savitri now depart."
Savitri.
All creatures thou dost sway by rule,
Ans as thou will'st dost guide and school
hence thou are named controller pray,
Here what I now to thee will say.
To give no living creature pain,
In thought, or word, or deed to gain,
their love by kindness -- this the wise
And good as virtue recognise
And even to fallen and suffering foes
A generous man compassion shows."
Yama.
As water to the thirsty dear,
To me are these kind words I hear,
One thing alone I cannot give,
that thy Loved lord again should live.
What ever else thou willest choose
I will no other boon refuse.
savitri.
My sire yet lacks a son. I crave
for him a hundred noble brave
Who may his royal line prolong.
the friends of right the foes of wrong.
Yama.
I grant a bundred sons to grace
In future years thy fathers race
But now, thy wish attained go back
For thou hast far pursued my track".
Savitri.
I deem not far the road when near
is he I seek my lord so dear,
My mind yet further travels, hear.
what more I wish should reach thine ear
From Fear of thee men's virtue's spring
And so they call thee virtue's King
In whom do mortals most confide.
In doubt to aid sustain and guide.
themselves so much they cannot trust,
As others good and wise and just.
whom by their kindly acts they find,
to be the friends of all mankind.
all those who know themselves as weak
Such men's regard and friendship seek,
these are the men whom others trust,
The noble generous kindly just.
Yama.
I nowhere else pure maxims hear
Like those with which thou charm'st my ear,
One thing alone I must not give,
that thy dear Lord again should live.
Whatever else thou willest choose
I will no other boon refuse.
Savitri.
Grant my dear Lord and me the grace
to call our own a numerous race
And may the sons whom from us spring
to us their parents glory bring."
Yama.
A hundred sons a noble race,
From thee shall spring; I grant this grace,
Thus favoured now thy steps retrace.
Savitri.
The good in duty never fail.
Serene they never faint or quail.
The good with others good and wise,
consorting ever higher rise.
the good bu truth direct the sun.
his changeless daily course to run.
By pious acts the earth they stay
the past and future own their sway.
the good to men who kindness show.
unselfish no return expect.
By this pure golden rule they know,
All noble men their lives direct.
The righteous good with good repay;
On them no grace is thrown away.
yama.
These maxims noble pure and bright,
with grace expressed my soul delight.
Savitri thou my love has gained,
My highest favour hast attained.
once more a boon I offer thee
a boon from all restrictions free,
a boon unheard of thou must choose,
I will not any grace refuse.
Savitri.
I Bless thee, generous God thy voice
has now unfettered left my choice.
with joy this last best boon I choose
A boon thou wilt not now refuse.
I left, a lone and widowed wife,
Implore from thee my husband's life.
Without him I myself am dead.
For me all life's delight has fled,
Without him i no joy desire,
Nor even to heavenly bliss aspire.
a hundred sons from me shall spring
And to their parents glory bring
but now my lord from me is torn
to whom shall then these sons be born.
If thou in this will'st keep thy word,
then give me back my much loved lord.
"SO BE IT", Yama Spoke, well pleased,
And from his bonds the prince released.
"My bond's I've loosed O faithful wife,
receive thy Lord, restored to life.
And take him home from sickness freed,
A long and prosperous life to lead.
Four hundred years - no less shall he
In bliss connubial pass with thee
For pious, virtuous deeds renowned
With sons and every blessings crowned.
For thou according to thy prayer,
to him a hundred sons shall bear,
And each shall be a kshatriya King
from each shall sons and grandsons spring.
When he had all these boons bestowed.
king Yama homeward took his road.
Savitri backward went her way,
to where her husband's body lay,
Then sitting down as once before
His head upon her lap she bore.
the prince becoming conscious raised
His eyes on her fondly gazed
As once long absent smiling greets,
returning home the friends he meets.
satyavat.
Why did'st thou never wake me deep
and long my love, has been my sleep
And where is he that dark hued man
who then to drag me hence began.
savitri.
Since slumber o'er thine eyelids crept
thou long upon my lap hast slept.
And he who sought thee for his prey.
king Yama now has gone away.
Thou now art fresh and wakeful by
to rise and view the nightly sky.
The prince now fully conscious rose
As if refreshed by sound repose
And said as round his gaze he cast.
" I now remember what first past.
when we the hermitage had left.
we gathered fruit, then wood i cleft,
through toil my head began to ache,
and sweat from all my limbs to break
I could not stand my strength had fled
then on thy lap thou laid my head.
And then I slept, but know not well
I senseless lay -- what next befell
From out a deep and dismal gloom
there seemed a dreadful face to loom
Say if thou knowest savitri dear
Thou then did'st wake thy sight was clear
Should i that vision real deem
Or was it but a baseless dream.
Savitri.
Not now tis night but i shall tell
tomorrow all that then befel."
The above ends well but for want of punctuation marks.
happy reading. Savitri Satyavan and Nala Damayanthi have been my favourite pieces ever.
