Markandeya aid : After the lapse of a long while, O king, the time for Satyavana's death at last arrived.

Savitri counted each days it passed away, (for) the words of Narada were always present in her mind.

Having ascertained (by calculation) that her husband's death would take place on the fourth day (thence), that observant of the Triratra vow, fasted day and night.

Aware of her vow, the king (Dyumatsena) became very sorry and rising up consoled Savitri with these words.

Dyumatsena said : Princess, the vow you have taken is very difficult to observe, for, it is extremely hard to fast continuously for three nights.

Savitri said: O sire, you need not be sorry. I will be able to complete the vow. I have undertaken this vow with a firm resolve; and determination is the (sole) cause of success (in every undertaking).

Dyumatsena said : I can, by no means tell you to give up your vow. Men like us should rather encourage you to complete it.

Markandeya said : Saying this, the high-minded Dyumatsena ceased; and Savitri thus remaining (without food) looked like a wooden doll.

O best of the Bharatas, thinking that her husband would die tomorrow, Savitri, stricken with grief and observing fasts, passed the night in great sorrow.

Then, when the sun rose a couple of hands (on the horizon), Savitri performed her morning devotions and offered oblation to the blazing fire.

She then bowed down to all the aged Brahmanas, her father-in-law and mother-inlaw, one after the other and stood humbly before them with joined hands.

And all the ascetics living in the hermitage pronounced, for the welfare of Savitri, the benediction that she might never be a widow.

Savitri, who was buried in contemplation, saying in her mind “be it so" bowed down to the words of the ascetics,

And with a heavy heart, the princess, pondering on the words of Narada (anxiously) awaited the hour and the moment of her husband's death).

Then, O best of the Bharatas, her father-in-law and mother-in-law gladly told the king's daughter who was seated alone, these words.

The Father-in-law said : You have performed the vow as directed. It is now the time to eat. Do what you think proper.

Savitri said : Having observed the desired vow I appointed the time when the sun would go down for my meals. (Even now) this is the determination of my heart.

Markandeya said : When Savitri was saying this about her meals. Satyavana, taking his hatchet on his shoulders, left for the woods.

(Thereupon) Savitri said to her husband "you should not go alone. I will go with you. I do not feel inclined to be separated from you.

Satyavana said: Dearest, you have never visited the woods before. The path is very rugged (Moreover), lean and weak as you have been by the observance of fasts and vow how will you be able to walk?

Savitri said : Neither do I feel exhaustion nor lassitude on account of the fast. (Moreover) I am very eager to go. Do not (therefore) prevent me.

Satyavana said: Since you are so eager to go, I will fulfill your desire. (But) take leave of my parents (first) so that no blame can be attached to me.

Markandeya said : (Then) bowing down to her mother-in-law and father-in-law, she of great vows said (to them) "my husband is going to the great forest for gathering fruits.

It is my desire that your worshipful self and my father-in-law will (kindly) permit me to accompany him. I cannot bear to be separated (from him) this day.

As your son is going to the forest for the sacrificial fire and for his superiors, you ought not to prevent him. Had it been for any other (business) he should have been prevented.

I have not walked out for a little less than a year. Great indeed is my desire to witness the woods.

Dyumatsena said : From the very time that Savitri was made my daughter-in-law by her father, I do not remember her to have ever made any request to me.

So, let what my daughter-in-law desires be fulfilled. Daughter, act in such a manner that Satyavana does not neglect his business on the way.

Thus permitted by both, the renowned (Savitri) with a smiling (countenance) though with a sorrowful heart accompanied her husband (to the woods).

And that large-eyed lady beheld, on all sides romantic and charming forests frequented by swarms of peacocks.

And Satyavana said these sweet words to Savitri "behold these streams of sacred waters and these excellent blossoming trees.”

That blameless girl, however, began to watch all the movements of her husband; but remembering what the sage (Narada) had said, she considered him as already dead.

With her heart divided into two parts, she (with one of these) replying to her husband and (with the other) awaiting the (fatal) hour, followed him slowly.