The Myth of Sati Savitri in the Poem Savitri by Toru Dutt

Mythological Meaning of Savitri:

Savitri means 'descended from the Sun'. This is a holy name given to several divine figures in Hindu mythology. One Savitri was wife of the creator lord Brahma. She is also known as Sarasvati, Gayatri, or Brahmani. Savitri is also the name of the bright, golden god of the rising and setting Sun. It resembles the Greek god Apollo in his splendour and his association with creative powers. But all these are supernatural powers.

Toru Dutt's Savitri, A Human Being: 

The story told by Toru Dutt is not of a goddess but a human being. She is the princess of Madra and only child of her parents. Savitri is better known as the mortal wife of Satyavan, a royal prince living like a hermit for his father Dyoumatsen is the former king of Salva and he lost the throne to his enemies because he has grown old, blind and weak. Toru Dutt writes: 

“In converse with the grey-haired sage 

She learnt the story of the youth, 

His name and place and parentage 

Of royal race he was in truth. 

Satyavan was he hight his sire 

Dyoumatsen had been Salva's king, 

But old and blind, opponents dire 

Had gathered round him in a ring 

And snatched the sceptre from his hand; 

Now, with his queen and only son 

He lived a hermit in the land, 

And gentler hermit was there none.”

Savitri's Following Yama Lord of Death:

Savitri is regarded as an ideal wife. When her husband dies, she requests the god of the underworld, Yama, who is the authorized in charge of death to return Satyavan to her. Savitri follows Yama as he bears away her husband's soul, and, impresses Yama with her loyalty to her husband. Yama, the god says he will grant her one wish-provided she does not wish her husband back to life. Toru Dutt writes: 

“Satyavan's life I may not grant 

Nor take before its term thy life, 

But I am not all adamant, 

I feel for thee, thou faithful wife! 

Ask thou aught else, and let it be 

Some good thing for thyself or thine, 

And I shall give it, child, to thee, 

If any power on earth be mine 

Well, be it so. My husband's sire 

Hath lost his sight and fair domain 

Give to his eyes their former fire

And place him on his throne again. 

It shall be done. Go back, my child!” 

Savitri prays Yama to bless the restoration of lost eye sight and kingdom to Satyavan's father and a hundred sons to her father. 

“Demand another boon dear 

But not of those forbade erewhile 

And I shall grant it ere we part: 

Lo, the stars pale, the way is long 

Receive thy boon and homewards start, 

For ah poor child, thou art not strong. 

Another boon! My sire the king 

Beside myself hath children none, 

Oh grant that from his stock may spring 

A hundred boughs. It shall be done. 

He shall be blest with many a son 

Who his old palace shall rejoice.” 

Having granted it Yama is willing to grant her one more boon. She demands the boon of Satyavan's survival and one hundred sons to her from Satyavan.

“There is no need to utter word, 
Upon thy mercy sale, I call 
If speech be needful to obtain 
Thy grace, Oh hear a wife forlorn, 
Let my Satyavan live again 
And children unto us be born, 
Wise, brave and valiant. From thy stock. 
A hundred families shall spring 
As lasting as the solid rock, 
Each son of thine shall be a king.” 
Yama, now, has no choice but to restore her husband to her. 
“As thus he spoke, he loosed the knot 
The soul of Satyavan that bound, 
And promised further that their lot 
In pleasant places should be found 
Thenceforth and that they both should live 
For centuries, to which the name 
Of fair Savitri, men would give 
And then he vanished in a flame.” 

Hindu Myth versus Greek Myth:

This Hindu myth of the descent into the underworld by a devoted wife in search of her husband reminds Alcestis, in Greek mythology. It is the slight change that Alcestis agreed to die in place of her husband. 

Alcestis, in Greek mythology was daughter of Pelias, King of lolcus in Thessaly. She married Admetus, who was King of Pherae, whose herds the god Apollo was required to tend as punishment for killing the Cyclops. During this period of servitude, Apollo and Admetus became friends. When it was time for Admetus to die, Apollo requested the Fates to let him live if he could persuade another to die in his place. Alcestis willingly died to snare Admetus’ life. Later, Hercules rescued her from Hades, the world of the dead.

Popularity of the Myth of Savitri:

It is the great importance of Savitri in Hindus that on a festival called the 'Bat Mavas' that is celebrated in memory of Savitri. It is believed that the day on which Yama came to take the life of Satyavan was Amavas. When Satyavan fell ill he took shelter under a Bat that is the 'Bargad'. Therefore on the 'Bat Mavas' the story of Savitri's success in getting back her husband's life is narrated by married women. Toru Dutt felt inspired with the myth and composed this poem. The last lines of the poem throw light on the timeless popularity of the myth. 

“As for Savitri, to this day 

Her name is named, when couples wed, 

And to the bride the parents say, 

Be thou like her, in heart and head.”