Myths of the Hindus & Buddhists

"may"MakeSavitritree. Then he sought the gandharvas again. Theycounselled him :fire with an upper stick of theAsvattha tree, and a lower stick of the Shami ;the firethereof shall be the veryfire thou didst receive from us."Then Pururavas made fire with sticks of the Asvattha andthe Shami, and making offerings therewith, he was madeone of the gandharvas and dwelt with UrvashI evermore.SavitriYudhishthira questioned Markandeyaif he had everseen or heard of any noble lady like to Draupadl sdaughter.Markandeya answered :There was a king named Lord-of-Horses ;he wasvirtuous, generous, brave, and well-beloved. It grievedhim much that he had no child. Therefore he observedhard vows and followed the rule of hermits. Foreighteen years he made daily offerings to Fire, recitedmantras in praise of Savitri, and ate a frugal mealat the sixth hour. Then at last Savitri was pleasedand revealed herself to him in visible form within thesacrificial fire. "I am well pleased,"she said, "withthy asceticism, thy well-kept vows, thy veneration."great king, whatever boon thou wilt."the king,Goddess,"Ask,saidsons be born to me worthy of my race, forthe Brahmans tell me much merit lies in children. Ifthou art pleased with me, I ask this boon." Savitri replied :"Oking, knowing thy wish, I have spoken already withBrahma that thou shouldst have sons. Through hisfavour there shall be born to thee a glorious daughter.Thou shouldst not answer again: this is the grandsire sgift, who is well pleased with thy devotion." The kingbowed down and prayed."So be it,"he said, and Savitri345