by thy decrees, and it is by thy decrees that thou takest them away, not according to thy will.  Therefore it is, O god, O divine one, that people call thee Yama!  Do thou listen to the words that I say!  The eternal duty of the good towards all creatures is never to injure them in thought, word, and deed, but to bear them love and give them their due.  As regards this world, everything here is like this (husband of mine).  Men are destitute of both devotion and skill.  The good, however, show mercy to even their foes when these seek their protection.”  Yama said, “As water to the thirsty soul, so are these words uttered by thee to me!  Therefore, do thou, O fair lady, if thou will, once again ask for any boon except Salyavana’s life!” At these words Savitri replied, “That lord of earth, my father, is without sons.  That he may have a hundred sons begotten of his loins, so that his line may be perpetuated, is the third boon I would ask of thee!” Yama said, “Thy sire, O auspicious lady, shall obtain a hundred illustrious sons, who will perpetuate and increase their father’s race!  Now, O daughter of a king, thou hast obtained thy wish.  Do thou desist!  Thou hast come far enough.”  Savitri said, “Staying by the side of my husband, I am not conscious of the length of the way I have walked.  Indeed, my mind rusheth to yet a longer way off.  Do thou again, as thou goest on, listen to the words that I will presently utter!  Thou art the powerful son of Vivaswat.  It is for this that thou art called Vatvaswata by the wise.  And, O lord, since thou dealest out equal law unto all created things, thou hast been designated the lord of justice!  One reposeth not, even in one’s own self, the confidence that one doth in the righteous.  Therefore, every one wisheth particularly for intimacy with the righteous.  It is goodness of heart alone that inspireth the confidence of all creatures.  And it is for this that people rely particularly on the righteous.”  And hearing these words, Yama said, “The words that thou utterest, O fair lady, I have not heard from any one save thee; I am highly pleased with this speech of thine.  Except the life of Satyavan, solicit thou, therefore, a fourth boon, and then go thy way!” Savitri then said, “Both of me and Satyavan’s loins, begotten by both of us, let there be a century of sons possessed of strength and prowess and capable of perpetuating our race!  Even this is the fourth boon that I would beg of thee!” Hearing these words of hers, Yama replied, “Thou shalt, O lady, obtain a century of sons, possessed of strength and prowess, and causing thee great delight.  O daughter of a king, let no more weariness be thine!  Do thou desist!  Thou hast already come too far!” Thus addressed, Savitri said, “They that are righteous always practise eternal morality!  And the communion of the pious with the pious is never fruitless!  Nor is there any danger to the pious from those that are pious.  And verily it is the righteous who