Love Conquers All

Love Conquers All

There once was a kingdom called Madra. The kingdom’s princess was like the Sun God- beautiful, kind, and courageous. Her name was Savitri. 

When she came of age, princes and wealthy merchants from far and wide came to Madra, seeking her hand, but no man could match the princess’ wisdom or impress her.

“Pitashri, please grant me the permission to search for a husband for myself,” she said to Ashwapati, her father. Malavika, her mother, gasped in shock, for it was uncommon for women to venture to search for their husbands. Ashwapati was in a dilemma too, but he knew his child was unorthodox. She wouldn’t bow down to the laws of the society and nature. She was born to make her way and write her name in the history of humanity.

_________________

It took the young princess some time to convince her parents, who agreed. She traveled through the country, through the beautiful valleys and the harsh deserts, through the snowcapped mountains, and the harsh sea, but no one could manage to enchant her. Every men she wanted a wife, not a partner, they wanted someone to meet the society's expectations, but Savitri knew that she wanted to do more, she wanted to be more and she didn't want to be married to someone who would hold her down. But at the same time, she wanted someone who would make her feel loved and cherished.

One rainy day, as she travelled through a forest, she came across a man chopping wood. She found it strange. She walked a little closer and saw the most beautiful man she had laid her eyes on. His body was like that of a Gandharv, and his face had the charm of the Moon God. She watched him, mesmerized until he looked up. His breath hitched as he looked at the beautiful princess staring at him, and he smiled

“Can I help you, oh lady?” he asked, and Savitri shook her head shyly.

“Who are you? And why are you working in such harsh conditions?” she asked instead.

“I am Satyavan. I come from the Salwa kingdom. I need to feed my parents, so I have to work,” he answered and hit the axe on the bark of a tree, but it slipped from his hand and hit him on his feet. He winced, and Savitri rushed to him. She helped him sit down, pulled a small pouch of medicines she was carrying for emergencies, and tended to his injured toe. 

Satyvan looked at the beautiful woman who had appeared out of no where, like some apsara. He had known love and care his whole life, but one moment of affection from this woman and Satyavan could feel his heart thudding.

"I am Savitri, princess of Madra." Savitri said as she tied the bandage. Satyavan's heart sank. He had been attracted to a woman who he could never win over. She was Madra, he was fallen Salwa. But he had to be honest, even if it came off as unabashed and uncourteous. 

“I know we have met for the first time, and it is impolite of me to say this, but I feel like I have known you all my life. It’s as if I have never known peace until this moment.” Satyavan said, and Savitri blushed a beautiful shade of red. 

“I have been traveling across the country searching for someone who would make me feel that way, and I know what you mean. I feel that too.” She said and held his hand.

“But Savitri, you are the princess of Madra, and I am…” He looked in her eyes and then looked away. “My father was the king of Salwa, but he was betrayed, and we lost the kingdom. The usurper blinded him to ensure that neither he nor I find our way back. I love my parents, and I cannot leave them. I am sorry.”

Satyavan’s love for his parents touched Savitri. In this moment, Savitri felt like after eons, her thirst for love had been quenched. It was like what the earth must feel when it rains for the first time after the harsh summer. She had not just met a beautiful man, he was selfless, he put his parents before himself. She could only imagine how much such a man could love his partner. He was worthy of her. 

She hugged him and promised to come back for him. The two said a heartbreaking goodbye, and Savitri left for Madra. 

_________________

Savitri reached her palace only to find her parents hosting the wise sage, Narad. She greeted him and, when prompted, told them about Satyavan. Ashwapati and Malavika’s happiness knew no bounds. They hugged their daughter and congratulated her. Ashwapati was about to give his servants orders to call the priests to finalize a wedding date when Narad cleared his throat. 

“I do not mean to spoil this occasion, but I come bearing bad news. Savitri, child, your betrothed has only one year to live.”

Savitri looked at him, horrified. She wanted to scream, but her upbringing as a lady and a princess forced her not to. She felt tears pooling in her eyes. But she wouldn’t give up so soon. She had finally found a charming, hardworking, benevolent man with whom she had dreamt of living a happy life, and no one could trample on that dream. 

“I, Savitri, princess of Madra, swear to Savitr himself that I will marry no one other than Satyavan.” She promised as she wiped her tears. 

Impressed by her love for Satyavan, Narad advised her to follow a strict regime of prayers and fasts. He hoped she could find a way to overturn destiny’s cruel game. 

_________________

Satyavan and Savitri married and returned to the forest. A year passed, and the couple’s love only grew more. One day, it was pouring when the couple were working in the forest. They looked at each other and smiled as they thought of the first time they had met on a similar rainy day. Suddenly, Satyavan furrowed his eyebrows and clutched at his chest. Before Savitri could hold him to support him, he fell to the ground, cold. Satyavan had lost his life.

Savitri wept over her husband’s body when a bright light shone above her. It was Yamraj, the God of Death. He announced he was there to escort Satyavan to the afterlife, but Savitri would have none of it. She followed Yamraj and her husband through the cascading rain. Even the rains seemed to have decided to stop her persistence, but Savitri didn’t give up. She followed Yamraj till he thundered at her to go back. But she refused. He sighed and offered her a boon.

“I will grant you anything. You can ask anything of me except Satyavan’s life.”

“Oh gracious one, I request you to grant my father-in-law his eyesight back.”

“Tathastu,” said Yamraj and turned to leave. But Savitri’s footsteps echoed behind him. Exasperated, he granted her another wish. This time, she asked for her father-in-law’s kingdom, which he had lost. She knew how much it had hurt Satyavan to see his father lose everything, and she wanted to set things right.

Impressed by her devotion, Yamraj granted her the wish and walked to the doors of heaven. Savitri followed him. Yamraj turned. He had seen no one be so much in love with someone before. He granted her third wish, and Savitri smiled.

“I want to be a mother of many children.” The God of Death agreed, but Savitri looked into his eyes and repeated her vows.

“I, Savitri, princess of Madra, swear to Savitr himself that I will marry no one other than Satyavan. How can I birth children if my husband is dead?”

Yamraj blinked in surprise, and his mind whirled with confusion. He laughed at the young princess’s wit.

“You have stumped me, my child. I grant you Satyavan back and bless you two with a long, happy marriage,” he said.

Satyavan opened his eyes and blinked. He felt as if he had woken up from a deep sleep. He looked at the God of Death, and fear engulfed him, but then he saw his wife looking at him with tears in her eyes. She hugged him, and the thundering and the heavy rain silenced the footsteps of the God of Death.

Love had defeated even death.