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Savitri's Triumph
But she refused to retrace her steps. “Savitri, it is past midnight, and have you no regard for your husband's decrepit, helpless parents? Please go back and serve them.”
"Before I obey you, my Lord, I must ask you one more question. Is not your last favour false unless Satyavan comes back to life?"
"All right. May he live long for hundreds of years in ever greater and greater glory!"
Yama then disappeared.
Savitri returned to Satyavan's body and, as she caressed his cheeks, he opened his eyes saying, "I have had a bad dream!"
In the mean time, the ashram had been plunged in grief. Dyumatsena and his wife were seated beside the sacrificial fire, while sages and scholars offered prayers for the safe return of Savitri and Satyavan.
Presently the young couple arrived beaming with smiles. And at once Dyumatsena regained his sight and had a glimpse of the vast jubilant crowd surging towards the ashram with slogans and cries such as: "Victory to Dyumatsena! The enemy has been slain!" which rent the air.
"I am hungry," said Savitri casting coy glances at her lord. "I told you I would break my fast after midnight. So let me go and prepare food for all of us."
TM-2
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