This was sent by my father when I first moved to US and felt very lonely. The story was taken from Mahābhārata, told by a priest to Yudisthira.
Savitri was a beautiful daughter of a wise and powerful king. The fame of Savitri's beauty spread far and wide, but she refused to marry, saying that she would herself go out in the world and find a husband for herself. So the king chose the best warriors to protect her, and the princess wandered throughout the country searching for a prince of her heart.
One day she reached a dense forest, where dwelt a king who had lost his kingdom and fallen into his bad days. Old and blind he lived in a small hut with his wife and son. The son, who was a handsome young prince, was the sole comfort of his parents. He chopped wood and sold it in the countryside to buy food for his parents. They lived in love and happiness. Savitri was instantly drawn towards them, and she knew her search had come to an end. Savitri fell in love with the young prince, who was called Satyawan, and was known for his generosity.
Hearing that Savitri has chosen a penniless prince, her father was heavily downcast. But Savitri was hell-bent on marrying Satyawan. The king consented, but his advisor informed him that a fatal curse laid upon the young prince: He is doomed to die within a year. The king told her daughter about the curse and asked her to choose someone else. But Savitri refused, and stood firm in her determination to marry Satyawan. The king finally agreed with a heavy heart.
The wedding of Savitri and Satyawan took place with a lot of fanfare, and the couple went back to the forest hut. For a whole year they lived happily. On the last day of the year, Savitri rose early and before Satyawan picked up his axe to go into the forest to chop wood she requested him to take her along, and the two went into the jungle.
Under a tall tree, he made a seat of soft green leaves and plucked flowers for his wife to weave into a garland while he chopped wood. Towards noon Satyawan felt tired, and after a while he came and lay down resting his head on Savitri's lap. Savitri made a fire around them and casted a spell.
Suddenly the whole forest grew dark, and soon Savitri saw a tall figure standing before her. It was Yama, the God of Death. "I have come to take your husband," said Yama, and looked down at Satyawan, but He couldn't call his soul out. Yama turned to Savitri and said: "Please child, let me take him with me for all living things will have to die and you know it."
Savitri started to cry. Slowly Yama could make Savitri understand that she had to break the spell. Very fast Yama called out for Satyawan's soul and saw it coming as his soul left his body.
When Yama was about to leave, Savitri ran after him, and pleaded Yama to take her along or give back the life of Satyawan. Yama replied, "Your time has not yet come, child. Go back to your home, as there won't be any living mortal ever enter the land of the dead." As Yama continued leaving, he heard footsteps behind him. He looked back and saw Savitri. He said: "Child, I was the first mortal who died, and every body will have to die after me. Now it is Satyawan's time. You have to stop following me."
Savitri replied: " A woman will go where her heart is taking her. I'm not following you, but follow my husband. For there is no greater joy for a wife than be with her husband."
Yama told her that He was ready to grant her anything except for Satyawan's life. Savitri put a request, "Let my father in law's sight be healed." Yama said: "done!" and started to continue the journey. But soon He noticed footsteps behind him. And again it was Savitri.
"What else that you want child?"
Savitri replied in a low voice: "Let my father in law's kingdom be restored, and let his descendant become his heir from son to son." "So be it", replied Yama. Then Savitri said, "But how can it be possible without Satyawan?"
This time Yama had to give in! Satyawan's body came back to life. He slowly woke up from the stupor and the two gladly stood before Him. He said: "today, I'm the god of death cannot defeat the strength of love. I have to relent to a woman's determination and devotion. Treasure the life you have, for the two of you are meant for each other." In a heart beat, He was nowhere to be seen.
The couple walked back to the hut. The kingdom was restored and they lived happily in the palace of Satyawan's father.
