In Indian mythology,
a mythological character and role model for a virtuous and loving woman who, by
her cunning, saves her husband Satyavan from Death himself.
Savitri is warned before she is engaged to Satyavan that he
would die within a year, but she refuses to be discouraged since she has chosen
him as her spouse.
Satyavan, accompanied by Savitri, walks to the forest to
chop wood on the day he is destined to die.
Savitri witnesses Yama, the deity of Death, take Satyavan's
soul from his body and begin his trip back to the underworld when he falls
asleep while working.
Savitri is just behind them.
When Yama warns her that she won't be able to accompany
them, she humbly responds that it is her wifely responsibility to do so.
Yama grants her several requests, but she is not permitted
to beg for the life of her husband.
Savitri first asks for her blind father-in-sight law's to be
restored, then for him to reclaim the kingdom from which he was banished, and
lastly for her to have many sons.
All of her demands are fulfilled, and when she points out
that her husband's return is required for her to have many kids, Yama admits
that he has been outwitted and wishes the two of them a long and happy life
together.
