--constitute a threefold prosperity which thou hast
gained. What we all have said must come to pass: there can be no doubt
of this. Henceforth thou shalt rapidly grow in prosperity." Then, O
Pritha's son, the twice-born ones lighted a fire and sat themselves down
before king Dyumatsena. And Saivya, and Satyavan, and Savitri who stood
apart, their hearts free from grief, sat down with the permission of
them all. Then, O Partha, seated with the monarch those dwellers of the
woods, actuated by curiosity, asked the king's son, saying, "Why didst
thou not, O illustrious one, come back earlier with thy wife? Why hast
thou come so late in the night? What obstacle prevented thee! We do not
know, O son of a king, why thou hast caused such alarm to us, and to thy
father and mother. It behoveth thee to tell us all about this."
Thereupon, Satyavan said, "With the permission of my father, I went to
the woods with Savitri. There, as I was hewing wood in the forest, I
felt a pain in my head. And in consequence of the pain, I fell into a
deep sleep.--This is all that I remember. I had never slept so long
before I have come so late at night, in order that ye might not grieve
(on my account). There is no other reason for this." Gautama then said,
"Thou knowest not then the cause of thy father's sudden restoration to
sight. It, therefore, behoveth Savitri to relate it. I wish to hear it
(from thee), for surely thou art conversant with the mysteries of good
and evil. And, O Savitri, I know thee to be like the goddess _Savitri_
herself in splendour. Thou must know the cause of this. Therefore, do
thou relate it truly! If it should not be kept a secret, do thou unfold
it unto us!" At these words of Gautama Savitri said, "It is as ye
surmise. Your desire shall surely not be unfulfilled. I have no secret
to keep. Listen to the truth then! The high-souled Narada had predicted
the death of my husband. To-day was the appointed time. I could not,
therefore, bear to be separated from my husband's company. And after he
had fallen asleep, Yama, accompanied by his messengers, presented
himself before him, and tying him, began to take him away towards the
region inhabited by the _Pitris_. Thereupon I began to praise that
august god, with truthful words. And he granted me five boons, of which
do ye hear from me! For my father-in-law I have obtained these two
boons, viz., his restoration to sight as also to his kingdom. My father
also hath obtained a hundr