n piteous accents, saying, "Alas, O son, alas, O chaste
daughter-in-law, where are you?" Then a truthful Brahmana of the name of
Suvarchas spake unto them, saying, "Considering the austerities,
self-restraint, and behaviour of his wife Savitri, there can be no doubt
that Satyavan liveth!" And Gautama said, "I have studied all the _Vedas_
with their branches, and I have acquired great ascetic merit. And I have
led a celibate existence, practising also the _Brahmacharya_ mode of
life. I have gratified Agni and my superiors. With rapt soul I have also
observed all the vows: and I have according to the ordinance, frequently
lived upon air alone. By virtue of this ascetic merit, I am cognisant of
all the doings of others. Therefore, do thou take it for certain that
Satyavan liveth." Thereupon his disciple said, "The words that have
fallen from the lips of my preceptor can never be false. Therefore,
Satyavan surely liveth." And the _Rishi_ said, "Considering the
auspicious marks that his wife Savitri beareth and all of which indicate
immunity from widowhood, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth!"
And Varadwaja said, "Having regard to the ascetic merit, self-restraint,
and conduct of his wife Savitri, there can be no doubt that Satyavan
liveth." And Dalbhya said, "Since thou hast regained thy sight, and
since Savitri hath gone away after completion of the vow, without taking
any food, there can be no doubt that Satyavan liveth." And Apastamba
said, "From the manner in which the voices of birds and wild animals are
being heard through the stillness of the atmosphere on all sides, and
from the fact also of thy having regained the use of thy eyes,
indicating thy usefulness for earthly purposes once more, there can be
no doubt that Satyavan liveth." And Dhaumya said, "As thy son is graced
with every virtue, and as he is the beloved of all, and as he is
possessed of marks betokening a long life, there can be no doubt that
Satyavan liveth."'

"Markandeya continued, 'Thus cheered by those ascetics of truthful
speech, Dyumatsena pondering over those points, attained a little ease.
A little while after, Savitri with her husband Satyavan reached the
hermitage during the night and entered it with a glad heart. The
Brahmanas then said, "Beholding this meeting with thy son, and thy
restoration to eye-sight, we all wish thee well, O lord of earth. Thy
meeting with thy son, the sight of thy daughter-in-law, and thy
restoration to sight