There was a king named Asvapati in the kingdom of Mudra. He was an ideal king devoted to welfare of his subjects. But he was childless. He performed rites and sacrifices for eighteen years when the goddess Savitri conferred the boon of a daughter. In her honour, when the daughter was born, she was named Savitri.

She was extremely beautiful and righteous. However, when she reached the age of marriage, none came forward to marry her as they all thought - she is a goddess incarnate and cannot be asked to be a wife. Then Asvapati asked her daughter to go out into the world and find her husband herself.

She went far and wide and after returning declared - Satvavan as her husband - tending his blind father, a disposed king of Salwa and his mother in a hermitage in the wedge of a forest. The sage Narada present there, complimented her perfect choice Satyavan - as brilliant, graceful, always speaking the truth, the reason for his name. But he mentioned - sadly his earthly existence will last one year only from the day and suggested her to go out again and choose another person.

Savitri declined to consider anyone else, as she had decided her mind once for all irrespective of Satyavan's short lifespan. Savitri and Satyavan were married and lived a happy married life. Nevertheless, Savitri was all the time gnawed for the fateful day.

When just four days were left, Savitri undertook a severe penance and fasted for three days. On the fourth day, after getting the reluctant permission from her father-in-law, Savitri accompanied Satyavan leaving for forest with an axe for wood-cutting. She helped Satyavan gather fruits then he went off to cut wood. Suddenly he dropped the axe and lied down resting his head on her lap. Gradually he seemed to fall asleep.

Then at that moment, she sensed a strange presence and saw the formidable figure of a man with red eyes, blood-red robes holding a noose in his hand. Savitri laid down Satyavan's head and asked - 'Who are you and why you are here'? The over-bearing figure replied - 'I am Death. My name is Yama. Your husband's earthly time is over. It is my duty to extract his subtle life with this noose. Because of your austerities and Satyavan's piousness, I have personally come to carry it away'.

Savitri saw the inert body lose its gloss gradually; she laid it away in a safe place and started after Yama. Yama noticed her determination and stopped to say - 'Don't follow me into my realm. Perform the obsequies for your husband's welfare in the other world and dispose of his physical body in the proper manner'.

Persistently following him, Savitri said these and received 5 boons-

1. Savitri: 'Married life is the highest goal attainable by me. I have no other life, nor intention of following a life of renunciation or asceticism. So, I have nowhere to go except where my husband goes'.Yama: You cannot follow your husband anymore. I am pleased with your outlook; ask for a boon except the life of this person'.

Savitri: Please restore the sight of my father-in-law'.

1. Yama: It is granted. Now turn back before you get very tired'.

Savitri: I cannot feel any tiredness where my husband is. In good company one attains salvation, and therefore one should always stay where good people are found.

Yama: Pleased I am, ask for a second boon anything except Satyavan's life'.

Savitri: Please restore to my father-in-law his kingdom.' Yama: I gladly grant it. Now go back before you feel fatigued.'

1. Savitri: 'I have often speculated on what is a good life. To my way of thinking it seems to consist in the eradication of malice in thought, word and deed, and in positive active benevolence and giving without acquisitiveness. Good men make no distinction between friends and enemies while exercising mercy or kindness'

Yama: Your words and sentiments have again pleased me Ask for another boon, excepting the life of this husband of yours'.

Savitri: 'Please grant my father the birth of a hundred sons'.

Yama:' Granted. Now go back, you have come a long way'.

1. Savitri: 'While I follow my husband there can be no such thing as distance or fatigue. You are the son of Sun god (Vaivaswat). The subjects of your kingdom enjoy absolute, undiminished justice. So you are called "Dharmaraj". In the company of good people one enjoys a sense of confidence and security.

Therefore, anyone, naturally, prefer to remain in the company of the good'.

Yama: 'I am one dreaded, and no one speaks such words. I am moved by your words. You may ask for a fourth boon, excepting the life of this man'.

Savitri: Then grant that a hundred sons be born to me'.

Yama: Gentle Lady, you will have a hundred sons. Now you must turn back, you have come too far'.

1. Savitri: ' The company of good people is never fruitless'. Savitri then expounded the worth of the good company and how the sun in its orbit moved and the earth sustains life as a direct result of the goodness of the good people.

Yama: 'I rever you, O lady, for your understanding of righteousness. Ask for a unique boon, O chaste one.

(This time Yama forgot to mention - 'except Satyavan's life')

Savitri: 'My chasity is unassailable. If your granting of the boon of a hundred sons to be fulfilled, you have to give me back my husband.'

Yama:' Yes, I recognize that'.

Yama then loosened the noose that held the life of Satyavan in his hands. He blessed Savitri and her husband with longevity and went back forward alone, for the first time in his career yielding back a life.

NOTE:

Sri Aurobindo published his epic poem in blank verse titled - "Savitri: A Legend and a Symbol".

Questions:

1. In the context of the story and your understanding of Ethics, comment critically on Women Empowerment regarding the necessity of noble and steadfast determination on their part and reciprocation expected / needed?

2- Recommend your suggestion regarding commitment and role of sacrifice of men / women in general in today's competitive world of business - citing the relevant Theory of Ethics - you would prefer to adopt.