Savitri and Satyavan: The legend of the princess who outwitted Death - Iseult Gillespie — Transcript

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1. 0:07Princess Savitri of the Madra Kingdom was as benevolent, brilliant, and bright
2. 0:12as the Sun God she was named for.
3. 0:15Her grace was known throughout the land,
4. 0:18and many powerful princes and wealthy merchants flocked to her family’s palace
5. 0:23to seek her hand in marriage.
6. 0:26But upon witnessing her blinding splendor in person,
7. 0:29the men lost their nerve.
8. 0:33Unimpressed with these suitors,
9. 0:35the princess determined to find a husband herself.
10. 0:39Mounting her golden chariot, she travelled through rolling deserts,
11. 0:43glittering cities and snow-capped mountains—
12. 0:47rejecting many men along the way.
13. 0:50Eventually, Savitri ventured deep into the jungle,
14. 0:54where she met a young man chopping wood.
15. 0:58His name was Satyavan, and like her, he loved the tranquil forest—
16. 1:04but the princess saw he was not at peace.
17. 1:07After talking for hours, Satyavan told her of his plight.
18. 1:12His parents had once been wealthy rulers,
19. 1:14until his father was blinded and overthrown in a violent coup.
20. 1:19Now Satyavan worked tirelessly to support their meager new life.
21. 1:25His determination and devotion moved the princess.
22. 1:29As they gazed into each other’s eyes, she knew she’d finally found an equal.
23. 1:36Savitri rushed home to tell her father the good news,
24. 1:39only to find him conversing with Narada
25. 1:42a traveling sage and wisest messenger of the Gods.
26. 1:47At first her father was thrilled to learn of Satyavan,
27. 1:51but Narada revealed a tragic prophecy: her betrothed had only a year to live.
28. 1:59Savitri’s blood ran cold.
29. 2:02She’d waited so long to find her partner— was she already doomed to lose him?
30. 2:08The princess would not accept these terms.
31. 2:11She swore before Narada, her family,
32. 2:13and Savitr himself that she would never marry another.
33. 2:18Satyavan was her one true love, and their fates were entwined forever.
34. 2:24Moved by her powerful words,
35. 2:26the sage told the princess to follow an ancient spiritual regimen.
36. 2:31With regular prayer, periods of fasting,
37. 2:33and preparation of special herbs and plants,
38. 2:37she might be able to prolong Satyavan’s life.
39. 2:41After a simple wedding, the couple returned to the jungle to live
40. 2:44in keeping with the sage’s instructions.
41. 2:47This modest existence was a far cry from her lavish upbringing,
42. 2:51but they were happy in each other’s company.
43. 2:54A year passed, and the fated day arrived.
44. 2:58On their first anniversary, the sun grew horribly hot,
45. 3:02and Satyavan’s brow began to burn,
46. 3:05Savitri barely had time to drag him into the shade,
47. 3:09before he grew still and cold.
48. 3:12Through her tears, the princess saw an immense figure on the horizon.
49. 3:18This was Yamraj, the God of Death,
50. 3:22come to escort Satyavan’s soul to the afterlife.
51. 3:26But Savitri was not giving up yet.
52. 3:29She followed the god for hours in the beating sun.
53. 3:33Yamraj thundered at the princess to leave him in peace.
54. 3:37But even as her feet bled and throat burned, Savitri would not turn back.
55. 3:43Eventually, Yamraj paused.
56. 3:47He would grant her one wish as reward for her persistence,
57. 3:51but she couldn’t ask for her husband’s life.
58. 3:54Without hesitating, Savitri asked the God to restore her father in-law’s sight.
59. 4:00The wish was granted, and Yamraj rode on.
60. 4:04But still Savitri’s footsteps echoed behind him.
61. 4:08Exasperated, the God granted her a second wish.
62. 4:12This time, she asked for Satyavan’s kingdom to be restored.
63. 4:17Again the wish was granted,
64. 4:19and Yamraj began his descent into his subterranean kingdom.
65. 4:23But when he glanced back,
66. 4:25he was astounded to see the bedraggled princess stumbling along.
67. 4:29He’d never seen such devotion to the dead,
68. 4:32and he honored her dedication with one final wish.
69. 4:37Savitri wished to be the mother of many children.
70. 4:41The God agreed, and waved to dismiss her.
71. 4:45But the princess only repeated the vow she’d made one year earlier:
72. 4:50her fate was forever entwined with Satyavan.
73. 4:54How could she bear many children, if Yamraj would not return her husband?
74. 4:59Hearing this clever question the god relented, knowing he’d been beaten.
75. 5:05With Yamraj’s blessing and respect, Satyavan was returned to Savitri,
76. 5:11and the two walked back to the land of the living,
77. 5:14united in a love that not even death could destroy.