“Markandeya continued, ’On one occasion, O Bharata, when that king, the lord of the Madras, was seated with Narada in the midst of his court, engaged in conversation, Savitri, accompanied by the king’s counsellors, came to her father’s abode after having visited various sacred regions and asylums.  And beholding her father seated with Narada, she worshipped the feet of both by bending down her head.  And Narada then said, ’Whither had this thy daughter gone?  And, O king, whence also doth she come?  Why also dost thou not bestow her on a husband, now that she hath arrived at the age of puberty?’ Aswapati answered, saying, ’Surely it was on this very business that she had been sent, and she returneth now (from her search).  Do thou, O celestial sage, listen, even from her as to the husband she hath chosen herself!’

“Markandeya continued, ’Then the blessed maid, commanded by her father with the words,—­Relate everything in detail,—­regarded those words of her sire as if they were those of a god, and spoke unto him thus, ’There was, amongst the Salwas, a virtuous Kshatriya king known by the name of Dyumatsena.  And it came to pass that in course of time he became blind.  And that blind king possessed of wisdom had an only son.  And it so happened that an old enemy dwelling in the vicinity, taking advantage of the king’s mishap, deprived him of his kingdom.  And thereupon the monarch, accompanied by his wife bearing a child on her breast, went into the woods.  And having retired into the forests, he adopted great vows and began to practise ascetic austerities.  And his son, born in the city, began to grow in the hermitage.  That youth, fit to be my husband, I have accepted in my heart for my lord!’ At these words of hers, Narada said, ’Alas, O king, Savitri hath committed a great wrong, since, not knowing, she hath accepted for her lord this Satyavan of excellent qualities!  His father speaketh the truth and his mother also is truthful in her speech.  And it is for this that the Brahmanas have named the son Satyavan.  In his childhood he took great delight in horses, and used to make horses of clay.  And he used also to draw pictures of horses.  And for this that youth is sometimes called by the name of Chitraswa.’  The king then asked, ’And is prince Satyavan, who is devoted to his father, endued with energy and intelligence and forgiveness and courage?’ Narada replied, saying, ’In energy Satyavan is like unto the sun, and in wisdom like unto Vrihaspati!  And he is brave like unto the lord of the celestials and forgiving like unto the Earth herself!’ Aswapati then said, ’And is the prince Satyavan liberal in gifts and devoted to the Brahmanas?  Is he handsome and magnanimous and lovely to behold?’ Narada said, ’In bestowal of gifts according to his power, the mighty son of Dyumatsena is like unto Sankriti’s son Rantideva.  In truthfulness of speech and devotion unto Brahmanas, he is like Sivi, the son of Usinara.  And he is magnanimous