मार्कण्डेय उवाच एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु धुमत्सेनो महाबलः। लब्धचक्षुः प्रसन्नायां दृष्ट्यां सर्वं ददर्श ह॥
Markandeya said : In the meantime, the highly-powerful Dyumatsena, being restored to his sight, could behold everything with a clear vision.
स सर्वानाश्रमान् गत्वा शैब्यया सह भार्यया। पुत्रहेतोः परामाति जगाम भरतर्षभ॥
O most exalted of the Bharatas, accompanied by his wife Shaivya he visited all the hermitages in search of his son) and was greatly afflicted for his sake.
तावाश्रमान् नदीश्चैव वनानि च सरांसि च। तस्यां निशि विचिन्वन्तौ दम्पती परिजग्मतुः॥
The (old) couple, at that night walked about searching (for their son) in all the hermitages, rivers, woods and lakes.
श्रुत्वा शब्दं तु यं कञ्चिदुन्मुखौ सुतशङ्कया। सावित्रीसहितोऽभ्येति सत्यवानित्यभाषताम्॥
And as soon as they heard any sound, considering that it was (caused by the footsteps of) their son they raised up their heads and said “there comes Satyavana accompanied by Savitri."
भिन्नैश्च परुषैः पादैः सव्रणैः शोणितोक्षितैः। कुशकण्टकविद्धाङ्गावुन्मत्ताविव धावतः॥
And with their feet torn, cracked, wounded and bleeding and pierced by thorns and Kusha blades they ran about like mad men.
ततोऽभिसृत्य तैर्विप्रैः सर्वैराश्रमवासिभिः। परिवार्य समाश्वास्य तावानीतौ स्वमाश्रमम्॥
Then all the twice-born ones, dwelling in the (neighbouring) hermitages approached and surrounded them. And soothing the old couple they brought them back to their own hermitage.
तत्र भार्यासहायः स वृतो वृद्धैस्तपोधनैः। आश्वासितोऽपि चित्रार्थैः पूर्वराज्ञां कथाश्रयैः॥
There the aged ascetics surrounding the old man together with his wife began to console him with stories of wonderful import about the kings of by gone ages.
ततस्तौ पुनराश्वस्तौ वृद्धौ पुत्रदिदृक्षया। बाल्यवृत्तानि पुत्रस्य स्मरन्तौ भृशदुःखितौ॥
Although the old couple, eager to behold their son, thus comforted, the remembrance of the youthful days of their son again awakened deep sorrow in them.
पुनरुक्त्वा च करुणां वाचं तौ शोककर्शितौ। हा पुत्र हा साध्वि वधूः क्वासि क्वासीत्यरोदताम्। ब्राह्मणः सत्यवाक् तेषामुवाचेदं तयोर्वचः॥
And weighed down with affliction, they again began to give vent to their grief in mournful accents saying "Alas, O son, O chaste daughter-in-law, where are you?" Then a truthful Brahmana told them these words.
सुवर्चा उवाच ययास्य भार्या सावित्री तपसा च दमेन च। आचारेण च संयुक्ता तथा जीवति सत्यवान्॥
Suvarcha said: was "Satyavana is surely alive, because his wife Savitri is devoted to asceticism, is selfcontrolled and is well behaved."
गौतम उवाच वेदाः साङ्गा मयाधीतास्तपो मे संचितं महत्। कौमारब्रह्मचर्यं च गुरवोऽग्निश्च तोषिताः॥
Gautama said: "I have read the Vedas together with all their branches and have laid up a great store of asceticism. I have led a life of celebacy, have gone through the Brahmacharya mode of life and have appeased the fire and my superiors.
समाहितेन चीर्णानि सर्वाण्येव व्रतानि मे। वायुभक्षोपवासश्च कृतो मे विधिवत् पुरा॥
I have observed all the vows with a devout spirit; and agreeably to the ordinances I have very often subsisted on air alone and observed fasts.
अनेन तपसा वेद्मि सर्वं परचिकीर्षितम्। सत्यमेतन्निबोधध्वं ध्रियते सत्यवानिति॥
By virtue of this asceticism I am aware of the doings of other people. Know this to be certain that Satyavana is alive.
शिष्य उवाच उपाध्यायस्य मे वक्त्राद् यथा वाक्यं विनिःसृतम् नैव जातु भवेन्मिथ्या तथा जीवति सत्यवान्॥
The disciple of Gautama said : The words that have come out of the mouth of my preceptor can never be false. Therefore, Satyavana is (surely) alive.
ऋषय ऊचुः यथास्य भार्या सावित्री सर्वैरेव सुलक्षणैः। अवैधव्यकरैर्युक्ता तथा जीवति सत्यवान्॥
The Rishis said : As his wife Savitri bears all the auspicious signs indicative of her exemption from widowhood, it is certain that Satyavana lives.
भारद्वाज उवाच यथास्य भार्या सावित्री तपसा च दमेन च। आचारेण च संयुक्ता तथा जीवति सत्यवान्॥
Bharadvaja said : As his wife Savitri is possessed of devotion, self control and good behaviour, it admits of no doubt that Satyavana is alive.
दाल्भ्य उवाच यथा दृष्टिः प्रवृत्ता ते सावित्र्याश्च यथा व्रतम्। गताऽऽहारमकृत्वा च तथा जीवति सत्यवान्॥
Dalbhya said: Considering that you have regained your sight and that Savitri has gone out without meals after the performance of her vow, it is certain that Satyavana is alive.
आपस्तम्ब उवाच यथा वदन्ति शान्तायां दिशि वै मृगपक्षिणः। पार्थिवी च प्रवृत्तिस्ते तथा जीवति सत्यवान्॥
Mandyavya said: From the manner in which birds and beasts are sending forth their voices in the still atmosphere and since you have regained your sight making you useful for worldly purposes, it is sure that Satyavana lives.
धौम्य उवाच सर्वैर्गुणैरुपेतस्ते यथा पुत्रो जनप्रियः। दीर्घायुर्लक्षणोपेतस्तथा जीवति सत्यवान्॥
Dhaumya said : Your son Satyavana is surely alive in as much as he is endued with all the noble qualities, beloved by all and bears signs indicative of a long life.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच एवमाश्वासितस्तैस्तु सत्यवाग्भिस्तपस्विभिः। तांस्तान् विगणयन् सर्वांस्ततः स्थिर इवाभवत्॥
Markandeya said : Thus consoled by those truthful sages and reflecting on the words they said, Dyumatsena became a little pacified.
ततो मुहूर्तात् सावित्री भ; सत्यवता सह। आजगामाश्रमं रात्रौ प्रहृष्टा प्रविवेश ह॥
A moment after, Savitri accompanied by her husband Satyavana arrived at the asylum during the night and entered it cheerfully.
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः पुत्रेण संगतं त्वां तु चक्षुष्मन्तं निरीक्ष्य च। सर्वे वयं वै पृच्छामो वृद्धिं वै पृथिवीपते।॥
The Brahmanas said : O lord of the earth, we all congratulate you heartily on your union with your son and your recovery of eye sight.
समागमेन पुत्रस्य सावित्र्या दर्शनेन च। चक्षुषश्चात्मनो लाभात् त्रिभिर्दिष्ट्या विवर्धसे॥
Your meeting with your son, your sight of Savitri and your restoration to sight, these three blessing will make you prosper.
सर्वैरस्माभिरुक्तं यत् तथा तन्नात्र संशयः। भूयोभूयः समृद्धिस्ते क्षिप्रमेव भविष्यति॥
What we have said,, shall undoubtedly come to pass. You will soon rapidly grow in prosperity.
ततोऽग्नि तत्र संज्वाल्य द्विजास्ते सर्व एव हि। उपासांचक्रिरे पार्थ धुमत्सेनं महीपतिम्॥
Markandeya said : Then, O Partha, all those twice born ones kindled a fire and took their seats before the king Dyumatsena.
शैब्या च सत्यवांश्चैव सावित्री चैकतः स्थिताः। सर्वैस्तैरभ्यनुज्ञाता विशोकाः समुपाविशन्।॥
Shaivya, Satyavana and Savitri who all stood on one side, gladly sat down with the permission of them all.
ततो राज्ञा सहासीनाः सर्वे ते वनवासिनः। जातकौतूहलाः पार्थं पप्रच्छुर्नृपतेः सुतम्॥
Then O Partha all those inhabitants of forest, who were seated with the king, actuated by curiosity asked the kings son.
ऋषय ऊचुः प्रागेव नागतं कस्मात् सभार्येण त्वया विभो। विरात्रे चागतं कस्मात् कोऽनुबन्धस्तवाभवत्॥
The Rishis said : O renowned prince, why did you not make your appearance with your wife earlier? Why did you come so late at night? What obstacle stood in your way?
संतापित: पिता माता वयं चैव नृपात्मज! कस्मादिति न जानीमस्तत् सर्वं वक्तुमर्हसि॥
O Prince, we can not make out why you have given so much pain to your father, mother and ourselves also. You ought to relate all this.
सत्यवानुवाच पित्राहमभ्यनुज्ञातः सावित्री सहितो गतः। अथ मेऽभूच्छिरोदुःखं वने काष्ठानि भिन्दतः॥
Satyavana said: Taking leave of my father I went out with Savitri. While cutting down the woods in the forest my head began to ache.
सुप्तश्चाहं वेदनया चिरमित्युपलक्षये। तावत् कालं न च मया सुप्तपूर्वं कदाचन॥
Afflicted with the pain I slept a long while. Thus far only do I remember. Never before did I sleep for so long a time.
सर्वेषामेव भवतां संतापो मा भवेदिति। अतो विरात्रागमनं नान्यदस्तीह कारणम्॥
Considering that you all should not be troubled on my account, I came so late at night. There is no other reason (for my late arrival).
गौतम उवाच अकस्माच्चक्षुषः प्राप्तिर्युमत्सेनस्य ते पितुः। नास्य त्वं कारणं वेत्सि सावित्री वक्तुमर्हति॥
Gautama said: You, then, do not know how your father Dyumatsena has suddenly recovered his eyes. Let, therefore, Savitri relate it.
श्रोतुमिच्छामि सावित्रि त्वं हि वेत्थ परावरम्। त्वां हि जानामि सावित्रि सावित्रीमिव तेजसा॥
We are desirous of learning all this from you who are surely acquainted with the mysteries of good and evil. For, O Savitri, we know you are as resplendent as Savitri herself (the wife of Brahma).
त्वमत्र हेतुं जानीषे तस्मात् सत्यं निरुच्यताम्। रहस्यं यदि ते नास्ति किंचिदत्र वदस्व नः॥
You are (undoubtedly) aware of the cause of this. Therefore speak truly. If you have nothing to conceal, then relate it to us.
सावित्र्युवाच एवमेतद् यथा वेत्थ संकल्पो नान्यथा हि वः। न हि किंचिद् रहस्यं मे श्रूयतां तथ्यमेव यत्॥
Savitri said: It is as you know it to be. Your desire can never prove fruitless. I have nothing to conceal from you. Now hear the true cause of this.
मृत्युर्मे पत्युराख्यातो नारदेन महात्मना। स चाद्य दिवसः प्राप्तस्ततो नैनं जहाम्यहम्॥
The high-souled Narada had fore told the death of my husband. Today being the appointed time, I did not leave his company.
सुप्तं चैनं यमः साक्षादुपागच्छत् सकिङ्करः। स एनमनयद् बद्ध्वा दिशं पितृनिषेविताम्॥
When he fell asleep Yama in person together with his attendants approached him and tying him (with the noose) proceeded towards the region inhabited by the Pitris.
अस्तौषं तमहं देवं सत्येन वचसा विभुम्। पञ्च वै तेन मे दत्ता वराः शृणुत तान् मम॥
I then began to eulogise that lord god, with truthful words, who conferred on me five boons. Hear of these (boons) from me.
चक्षुषी च स्वराज्यं च द्वौ वरौ श्वशुरस्य मे। लब्धं पितुः पुत्रशतं पुत्राणां चात्मनः शतम्॥
I have obtained two boons for my father-inlaw viz. recovery of his sight and kingdom. I have (further), obtained for my father a hundred sons and an equal number of sons for myself.
चतुर्वर्षशतायुर्मे भर्ता लब्धश्च सत्यवान्। भर्तुर्हि जीवितार्थं तु मया चीर्णं त्विदं व्रतम्॥
(Again) my husband Satyavana has been blessed with a life of four hundred years. I observed the vow for the sake of my husband's life.
एतत् सर्वं मयाऽऽख्यातं कारणं विस्तरेण वः। यथावृत्तं सुखोदर्कमिदं दुःखं महन्मम॥
I have now faithfully described to you in detail the cause which ultimately turned my great sorrow into a crowing bliss.
ऋषय ऊचुः निमज्जमानं व्यसनैरभिद्रुतं कुलं नरेन्द्रस्य तमोमये ह्रदे। त्वया सुशीलव्रतपुण्यया कुलं समुद्भूतं साध्वि पुनः कुलीनया॥
The Rishis said: O chaste girl, you are of gentle disposition, observant of vows, possessed of virtue and have sprung from a noble line. And it is by you that the line of this best of kings, overwhelmed with calamities and drowned in a deep gulf (of obscurity) has, (at last), been rescued.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच तथा प्रशस्य ह्यभिपूज्य चैव वरस्त्रियं तामृषयः समागताः। नरेन्द्रमामन्त्र्य सपुत्रमञ्जसा शिवेन जग्मुर्मुदिताः स्वमालयम्॥
Markandeya said : The assembled sages, then, having eulogised and paid their adorations to that most exalted lady and having taken leave of that most excellent of kings together with his son, soon left for their respective asylums in peace and with merry hearts.