Conqueror of Yamadharma Raja: Sati Savitri

Can we bring the dead back to life?  Yes, this unattainable feat was accomplished by a spiritual lady Savitri, who became popular as Sati Savitri. She brought back her dead husband Satyavan back to life through her sheer spiritual powers. This is an interesting and inspiring story told in our Hindu Purana.

Read on....

This happened long, long ago. Savitri was the daughter of the king Ashwapati and his wife Malawi. They didn’t have  offspring for a long time. They prayed and worshipped Goddess Savitri. The Goddess blessed the king with a radiant daughter. They named their daughter after Goddess Savitri. Savitri grew up. When she was travelling round the kingdom she saw an old couple under a tree and she saw a young man absorbed in work. He was offering fruits to his old parents.

The young man was Satyavan and his father was Dyumanathasena who was once the King of Salvadesha. He lost both his eyesight. The enemies easily defeated him. He lost his kingdom and came to the forest. When Savitri saw the bright young man, she fell in love with him and she expressed her desire to marry Satyavan. At that very time Narada  arrived there. After learning Savitri’s desire to marry Satyavan, he said Satyavan was a mine of virtues but the fate is against him. He has a short life. His life comes to an end exactly after a year. But Savitri was adamant. Despite this shortcoming, Savitri’s father agreed to the marriage and the marriage took place.

Savitri went to the forest and lived with her husband but she couldn’t forget Narada muni’s words. As days and months flew, she grew more and more terrified. After eleven months paused Savitri spent the remaining days in religious rites of the most rigorous kinds. She worshipped Goddess Savitri and begged her to protect her husband.

The last day of the year came. Satyavan’s death was round the corner. As usual Satyavan went to fetch the wood. Savitri too went with him. Suddenly Satyavan perspired. His head ached. Savitri took her husband’s head on her lap.

Then there appeared a dark mighty figure near the feet of Satyavan. Yamadharma Raja, the God of death is not visible to the ordinary eyes. Savitri was deeply devoted and had performed many religious rites. This enabled Savitri to see Yamadharma Raja.

Yama took Satyavan’s life and started moving towards the south. Savitri followed Yama. Yama knowing that Savitri could see him because of her spiritual powers was happy but asked her to turn back. Savitri said that if anyone walks seven steps with a person, that person becomes a friend. Hence she says that he was her friend and wanted to speak to him. Elders say that Dharma was greater than anything else and she said that it was her dharma to be with her husband. Yama was pleased to hear this. He gave her a boon and asked her to ask for anything except Satyavan’s life.

Savitri asked Yama to restore her father-in-law’s eyesight. Yama said yes and asked Savitri to turn back. Savitri said according to elders a single meeting with a good person makes him a lifelong friend. Therefore she wanted to keep company with Yama. He was happy about her maturity. He gave her another boon. Savitri asked for her father-in-law’s kingdom to be restored.  Yama said yes to that also.

“Oh! The lord of righteousness one should not deceive anyone in their thought, word or deed. Instead one should help others”. Yama was extremely happy and gave her another boon. Savitri said “I pray that Satyavan and I may have children who are strong and bring fame to their dynasty”. Instantly Yama said yes. Savitri said “may your boon be followed in a righteous way.” So I pray that my husband may come back to life. Here Yamadharma Raja was defeated and gave back her husband’s life.