Indian traditions, Nivedita and Coomaraswamy
Savitri
Savitri accompanies Satyavan into the forest at the time predicted for his death. When Yama takes his soul, she follows, insisting that fidelity and friendship give her a reason to continue beyond the place she is told to leave. Her sustained dialogue wins successive boons, including sons born to her and Satyavan. She then points out that this gift cannot be fulfilled without her husband, and Yama restores him.
Also known as Sāvitrī · Savitri and Satyavan
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In the sources
Principal account
TraditionalSavitri accompanies Satyavan into the forest at the time predicted for his death. When Yama takes his soul, she follows, insisting that fidelity and friendship give her a reason to continue beyond the place she is told to leave.
Further detail
TraditionalHer sustained dialogue wins successive boons, including sons born to her and Satyavan. She then points out that this gift cannot be fulfilled without her husband, and Yama restores him.
Context & interpretation
This entry concerns the mortal Savitri of the collection’s tale, distinct from the goddess whose name she bears. The restoration is a traditional narrative event and not a claim that bereavement can be reversed by a particular argument, vow or practice.
Original passages
Source 1
Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists
Savitri followed closeOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Nivedita and Coomaraswamy, Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists (1914), active reader leaf 426
Exact passage checked against the active edition text and original-leaf mapping; whitespace and scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0109-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0109-E001-P0426
- Original scan leaf
- 426
- Recorded leaf number
- 426
- Current Reader position
- 417
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Source 2
Myths of the Hindus and Buddhists
I ask his life, that thy words may be accomplishedOpen this page in the book
Passage & edition details
Location recorded at citation review: Nivedita and Coomaraswamy, Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists (1914), active reader leaf 427
Exact passage checked against the active edition text and original-leaf mapping; whitespace and scan line breaks normalised.
- Edition
- IMJ-0109-E001
- Reader page
- IMJ-0109-E001-P0427
- Original scan leaf
- 427
- Recorded leaf number
- 427
- Current Reader position
- 418
- Reader verification
- Source-preserving update confirmed
Continue exploring
Yama
The figure of Death who receives Nachiketas as a guest and responds to Savitri’s persistence.
Same subject and traditionArjuna
The Pandava archer whose skill and moral hesitation make him central to the Mahabharata.
Same subject and traditionBhagiratha
The royal descendant whose persistence brings Ganga to his ancestors’ ashes.
Same subject and traditionBharata
The brother who refuses to profit from Rama’s exile and waits for his return.