Serve!

 

Hearing sage Nārada that person whom Sāvitri wants to marry would die in a year’s time, King Asvapati told his daughter: Pls go once more & choose another husband

 

Sāvitri said: Oh no! I have already selected Satyavān as my husband. There is no question of altering my decision by choosing someone else

 

Sage said: Dear King! Your daughter’s determination is fixed, and it’ll not waver under any circumstance. Besides there is no one else as qualified as Satyavān, & so I think that this marriage should take place. King accepted his spiritual master’s words & then on an auspicious day he, accompanied by his daughter & ministers arrived at Dyumatsena’s hermitage in forest. He got down from his chariot & approached the blind king on foot, followed by his priests

 

After he was aptly welcomed, Asvapati disclosed how he wanted to offer his daughter to his son Satyavān in marriage. Dyumatsena expressed his doubts as to whether Sāvitri would be happy living an austere life in forest. Asvapati gave him strong assurance in the matter & soon marriage took place

 

Asvapati returned to his kingdom. After his departure, Sāvitri took off her valuable clothes & ornaments & put on a simple red cloth & tree bark. By her service attitude & humility, she soon became favorite not only to her family but all forest dwellers. She especially pleased Satyavān by her sweet speech, mild temperament, skill in performing duties, & indications of love she exhibited to him in private. And yet, Sāvitri was always filled with sorrow, for she couldn’t forget Nārada’s prophetic words, which she never disclosed to anyone

 

Finally, time that Nārada had indicated drew near & so Sāvitri began to anxiously count the days. Three days before Satyavān’s destined demise, she began to fast. Then, she passed night preceding that fateful day in great anguish. When Sun finally arose next morning, Sāvitri thought: Today is the day I’ve long been dreading. After performing her morning duties, she went to offer her respects to Brāhmanās & her in-laws. All the while she fervently absorbed her mind in praying to the Supreme Lord

 

At this time Brāhmanās pronounced benedictions upon her saying: O blessed one, may you never become a widow!

 

Sāvitri’s in-laws begged Sāvitri to eat, but she told them that she would do so only after day had come to an end. Satyavān then took his axe & began to leave for forest to collect wood for sacrificial fire. Sāvitri quickly approached him & begged: Pls don’t go without me today. He said: You had never before ventured into forest even in my company. But if you insist, come provided that my mother & father give their permission

 

What perfect execution of responsibilities. All relations have to be nurtured with love and actions. One has to get out of his comfort zone to serve others as per the norms. The service attitude dovetailed with sense of responsibility as per one’s position and situation brings joy to others and keeps the family together. Be it workplace or at home, one should always think of ways to make other’s happy & not be selfish to gratify only self

 

No one has ever become poor by serving & the joy felt doing the same is incomparable

 

Thoughts? #gameoflife

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