________________
16
Tales from Indian Mythology still pursuing him. He turned round and said, “Please go back. Listen to my advice. The path ahead is dark and dangerous and it is not for such as you."
"I am seeing it clearly and it is inviting me. Please do not turn me away from it. There is no darkness for me. You are not only the God of Death but Lord of Justice too. So I appeal to you to be fair and ensure that the noble and righteous are properly rewarded."
"Savitri, I am struck by the loftiness of your ideals and by the profundity of your wisdom. Do you desire nothing else except your husband's life?”
"With your blessings, let my father-in-law regain his kingdom.”
"Your prayer is granted." He resumed his journey, but he felt Savitri's presence behind him. Enraged he demanded: "Why do you want to visit the Land of the Dead, when you have still many, many years to live ?"
"O Lord! There is no Land of the Dead for me. I recognize only two classes of people—the good and the bad. And when the virtuous seek justice from the ever merciful and magnanimous such as yourself, can it be denied to them? Perhaps, according to you, there is such a Land as that of the Dead. But the moment the virtuous enter, it comes to life.”
"Savitri, have you no more benefactions to seek—except, of course, the life of your husband?”
"My Lord, I beg of you to bestow a hundred sons on my father-in-law?"
"It is done. And, may you also have a hundred sons! Now let us part. Chase me no more."
Jain Education International
For Personal & Private Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org