eyeing Savitri again and again, like one come home after a sojourn in a strange land, he addressed her thus, “Alas, I have slept long!  Wherefore didst thou not awake me?  And where is that same sable person that was dragging me away?” At these words of his, Savitri said, “Thou hast, O bull among men, slept long on my lap!  That restrainer of creatures, the worshipful Yama, had gone away.  Thou art refreshed, O blessed one, and sleep hath forsaken thee, O son of a king!  If thou art able, rise thou up!  Behold, the night is deep!"’

“Markandeya continued, ’Having regained consciousness, Satyavan rose up like one who had enjoyed a sweet sleep, and seeing every side covered with woods, said, “O girl of slender waist, I came with thee for procuring fruits.  Then while I was cutting wood I felt a pain in my head.  And on account of that intense pain about my head I was unable to stand for any length of time, and, therefore, I lay on thy lap and slept.  All this, O auspicious lady, I remember.  Then, as thou didst embrace me, sleep stole away my senses.  I then saw that it was dark all around.  In the midst of it I saw a person of exceeding effulgence.  If thou knowest everything, do thou then, O girl of slender waist, tell me whether what I saw was only a dream or a reality!” Thereupon, Savitri addressed him, saying, “The night deepens.  I shall, O prince, relate everything unto thee on the morrow.  Arise, arise, may good betide thee!  And, O thou of excellent vows, come and behold thy parents!  The sun hath set a long while ago and the night deepens.  Those rangers of the night, having frightful voices, are walking about in glee.  And sounds are heard, proceeding from the denizens of the forest treading through the woods.  These terrible shrieks of jackals that are issuing from the south and the east make my heart tremble (in fear)!” Satyavan then said, “Covered with deep darkness, the wilderness hath worn a dreadful aspect.  Thou wilt, therefore, not be able to discern the tract, and consequently wilt not be able to go!” Then Savitri replied, “In consequence of a conflagration having taken place in the forest today a withered tree standeth aflame, and the flames being stirred by the wind are discerned now and then.  I shall fetch some fire and light these faggots around.  Do thou dispel all anxiety.  I will do all (this) if thou darest not go, for I find thee unwell.  Nor wilt thou be able to discover the way through this forest enveloped in darkness.  Tomorrow when the woods become visible, we will go hence, if thou please!  If, O sinless one, it is thy wish, we shall pass this night even here!” At these words of hers, Satyavan replied, “The pain in my head is off; and I feel well in my limbs.  With thy favour I wish to behold my father and mother.  Never before did I return to the hermitage after the proper time had passed away.  Even before it is twilight my mother confineth me within the asylum.  Even when I come out during the day, my parents become anxious on my account,