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| Character of Savitri in the Poem Savitri by Toru Dutt |
Introduction:
Toru Dutt's Savitri deals with a traditional story borrowed from the ancient Sanskrit epic the Mahabharata. The story told by Toru Dutt is not of a goddess but a human being. Savitri's character is highly inspiring for she succeeds in getting back the life of her husband from Yama, the god of Death. Yama not only gives back Satyavan’s life but also grants her three boons with blessing of a happy married life. Yama claims that Savitri is blessed with all qualities of head and heart.
Savitri: The Princess of Madra:
Savitri was the only child of Madra's wise and mighty king, Ashwapati. Savitri was at liberty in all matters whether small or great for her father never feared for her. He had full faith in her snow like purity. Like a boy she was free to wander anywhere. Savitri was free to go to any place of her choice, for hours together with her friends. She used to visit gardens or hermit's huts to meet saints for seeing her they were pleased. They used to teach the best of their knowledge. Her father with the Queen used to hope that Savitri herself would find out her husband.
Her Peculiar Charm:
She always looked happy and walked lightly. Unknown people meeting by chance used to turn back to look at her for a long time and wished for her joy. It was her own individual peculiar charm that she was pure, pretty and innocent like a child. No ill- intentioned man was able to observe her beauty, for he felt ashamed on marking her simplicity. Her face was blessed with divine purity. There was a reflection of divine grace in her rising youth.
Her Romanticism: Love at First Sight:
Savitri was a romantic girl brought up with full liberty. One summer morning she visited a field. There she saw some young men at play. They were sons of hermits living there. One of them was tall, smart and royal in manners. His face was so happy and attractive. Savitri's eyes were not willing to turn away. She stared at his face and heaved a sigh of love. Her peace of mind was lost. Her condition suggested it was love. Poets refer to it as love at first sight. It is a reality. Savitri's heart-rose had at last opened for love had knocked at her heart. On hearing evening bells in the temple, she returned home leaving her virgin heart behind and thinking of her lover. She went away making exchange of love with heart. Certainly, true love is a divine inspiration. Under its influence, all objects looked brighter to her. A bright rainbow decorated all huts and fields looked more colorful.
Savitri's Choice: A Hermit Prince:
Savitri was not blind in love for she was filled with qualities of heart and head. She attempted at knowing the whereabouts of that boy. A saint told the boy's name was Satyavan. His father was former king of Salva. Being old and blind he could not guard himself from his enemies who snatched his sceptre from his hand. Now, he lived with his wife and only son there. He was the most gentle of all hermits. The tragic story of Satyavan's misfortune was said and heard with many tears for the narration made the listener weep. It brought to light Satyavan’s praise. It affected and changed the colour of Savitri's face.
Savitri: A Dutiful Child:
Savitri's first duty was to tell about her feeling of love to her mother. The queen narrated all to the king. He wanted to know about Satyavan's family. Without knowing that all it was not possible for him to think about the match for marriage. To dilute the King's doubt, Narad came. King claimed that Savitri's marriage was the only worry. He wanted the wise man Narad's mature advice for that. She had seen a hermit youth and she liked him Narad did not approve the match. Narad asked her to choose another boy to marry. The Muni called the choice unfortunate.
Savitri: A Resolute Girl:
Savitri was inspired by true love and refused to give up her choice for at heart Satyavan was her husband. She had no power to forget him. God does not permit for it. She knew it was a deadly sin. She refused to break her promise for it would hurt her heart that she could not bear. The thought of giving up Satyavan filled her mind with grief. Narad remarked that Satyavan was worthy and there was none to contradict this report. He was a Suryavansi. He belonged to the family of Soorasen. Dyoumatsen his father was blind. Their family was famous. Dyoumatsen was the best of all kings. Narad disclosed the truth that according to the nativity Satyavan would survive only a year. Hearing it, king's mind changed. He looked worried and decided to change Savitri's mind. He claimed no girl was authorized to choose husband without her parents' permission. Besides, she had not made any promise to Satyavan. Her affection to the youth was merely a passing thought. If she gave up the thought she would not be held a sinner. Savitri's father warned that she should be aware of the cursed life of a widow. A widow's life goes but as a burden that is dull, confused and sad.
Savitri: Her Philosophic Nature:
Savitri pleads like a philosopher that all submit to Destiny for none can escape his fate. It is inevitable like a command by Him. A girl chooses her husband but only once. She is ready to remain unmarried. She asks if anybody has power to avoid what is written in the book of his fate. If it is her fate to lead the life of a widow, she would not be able to avoid those miseries, Human efforts can't avoid ruin and no man can struggle against his fate.
Savitri's Success: An Ideal Daughter in Law:
Having said this she looked at her father and Narad. The father approved Satyavan. He declared that Savitri would wed the person of her choice and that person would be Satyavan. This success leads to their marriage with pomp and show, Satyavan's love for her enables her to adjust with her circumstances. She works hard and keeps her in laws happy. She keeps fast for long life of her husband. The year passes in this state and the day comes on which Narad had predicted for Satyavan's death.
Savitri's Fortitude:
Savitri's courage is remarkable. The whole day long, she remained praying on the iast day of Satyavan's life. When Satyavan told his mother that he was going to gather fruit and fuel, Savitri thought fate was calling Satyavan to the destination of death decided for him. Seeing Savitri's determination, Satyavan's parents permitted her to go with her husband. In the forest Satyavan saw the branches of the trees. The noise of cutting branches disturbed the peace of the forest. Suddenly the noise of cutting branches stopped. Satyavan's axe fell down. The cause was known to Savitri. Satyavan grew blind and asked if it was death. She consoled him saying that perhaps he was fainting. He gave one start and then his senses stopped working. Yet she did not feel frightened or like a common woman burst into tears.
Savitri's Intellectual and Spiritual Illumination:
Before Yama, Savitri shows her intellectual and spiritual illumination. She faces a clash between Love and Death from which she comes out victorious on account of her intellectualism and spiritualism. When Yama moved to his kingdom with Satyavan's soul, Savitri followed him. Yama claimed the duty of a widow is mentioned in the Shastras and accordingly she should pass the rest of her life.
Savitri's Sublime Thoughts:
Savitri claimed that it was her duty to follow her husband wherever he went. The world is only an illusion in which nothing is permanent. She did not wish her husband back for worldly pleasures. All these emotional ties are made to be broken and death is the ultimate truth of life. Like gold we must be tried by fire and therefore, sufferings test our firm faith in Him. Sufferings are the fruits of our own doing or thinking. She knew that no rites or prayer could save Satyavan's life for human efforts can't change divine judgment. Duty is the only true friend to make great progress. Savitri's sublime thoughts impressed Yama. She had, in fact, told all that Yama might have said to her. He granted the first boon.
Savitri's Exhortation:
Savitri claimed that she was not tired for she was with Satyavan. It was vowed at marriage that husband and wife should be together in joy and sorrow. Accordingly she had to go where Satyavan was being taken. Savitri claimed all human beings wish to feel the influence of goodness. She was willing to go with Yama to hear his true gentle words. Under his divine influence, worldly scene had disappeared and now the air was fresh. Savitri claimed if people understand death's true nature, they would find that Yama is above all gods. Yama wins all with patience and merciful love. Yama remarked that Savitri's words were true. Yama asked her to take another boon, but he could not grant Satyavan's life and take her life.
Savitri's Purity of Soul:
Savitri felt obliged to Yama for granting her boons. She was not willing to give up sweet company of Yama and Satyavan. It is a blessing to be in the company of the best. She should be allowed ever to live with the good for; it is unimportant where the good resides. Boon granted by gods never go in vain and inspire virtue whether it is visible or not. All fasts and prayers make the person spiritually sublime that lead to noble joys. Yama declared that Savitri was blessed with all qualities of head and heart. The purity of her soul was visible on her face and all gods should bless her with peace of mind. Yama too wished to give her one more boon.
Savitri's Unselfish Nature:
Victory of Love-Yama could not give back Satyavan's life and could not take Savitri's life. Yama promised to grant her a boon. Savitri welcomed it. She asked Yama to restore her father in law's lost sight and throne. It was granted. Savitri requested that Yama should grant the boon that her father should beget one hundred children. Yama granted the boon. Her former boons were related to her father and father in law, now she should ask a boon for personal joy. Savitri was intelligent enough to catch the hint and mercy of Yama for no restriction was imposed now. She claimed that Yama is omniscient and knows all. There was no need to speak to attain his mercy. She had only one wish to have Satyavan alive and children from him. Yama blessed that she would give birth to a hundred families and all sons shall be kings.
Savitri's Presence of Mind:
Having granted the boon, Yama loosed Satyavan's soul and blessed them with happy life. It marked loves victory over death. Having taken Satyavan's soul she rushed to his dead body. Savitri lifted Satyavan's dead body and supported his head upon her breast then she placed his soul on his heart where it entered the body and Satyavan woke up with a start. He looked around in confusion as if his long sleep were broken. Savitri proved true love is immortal.
An Ideal Wife-Savitri proves herself an ideal wife. In Indian philosophy the wife is regarded as a source of strength to her husband and Savitri proves it.
