Savitri is a narrative poem by the Bengali poet Toru Dutt. Although she died at the age of only 21, Dutt is considered the first significant poet from India to write in English. “Savitri” was published in Ancient Ballads and Legends of Hindustan in 1882, five years after the poet’s death. The poem retells the ancient Hindu myth of Savitri, daughter of the king of Madra. Savitri loves the youth Satyavan. Despite the prophecy of Narad Muni that Satyavan will die in a year, Savitri chooses to marry him. Her constancy and devotion cause the gods to reverse fate and grant three blessings on the happy couple.
“Savitri” is told in five parts, in 83 stanzas of 12 lines each. In the section below, Savitri declares her loyalty to Satyavan and wins the respect of Narad Muni.
In the meek grace of virginhood Unblanched her cheek, undimmed her eye, Savitri, like a statue, stood, Somewhat austere was her reply. “Once, and once only, all submit To Destiny,—’tis God’s command; Once, and once only, so ’tis writ, Shall woman pledge her faith and hand; Once, and once only, can a sire Unto his well-loved daughter say In presence of the witness, Fire, I give thee to this man away. Once, and once only, have I given My heart and faith—’tis past recall; With conscience none have ever striven, And none may strive, without a fall. Not the less solemn was my vow Because unheard, and oh! the sin Will not be less, if I should now Deny the feeling felt within. Unwedded to my dying day I must, my father dear, remain; ‘Tis well, if so thou will’st, but say Can man balk Fate, or break its chain? If Fate so rules, that I should feel The miseries of a widow’s life, Can man’s device the doom repeal? Unequal seems to be a strife, Between Humanity and Fate; None have on earth what they desire; Death comes to all or soon or late; And peace is but a wandering fire; Expediency leads wild astray; The Right must be our guiding star; Duty our watchword, come what may; Judge for me, friends,—as wiser far.” She said, and meekly looked to both. The father, though he patient heard, To give the sanction still seemed loth, But Narad Muni took the word. “Bless thee, my child! ‘Tis not for us To question the Almighty will, Though cloud on cloud loom ominous, In gentle rain they may distil.” At this, the monarch—”Be it so! I sanction what my friend approves; All praise to Him, whom praise we owe; My child shall wed the youth she loves.”
Dutt wrote in English and adapted ancient Indian myths to a traditional English verse structure. Each stanza of 12 lines has a consistent rhyme scheme (abab, cdcd, and so on). Each line is written in an iambic meter, which consists of alternating unstressed and stressed syllables. These elements reflect Dutt’s education in classic English literature, which she received as a daughter of a high-caste family in the late 1800’s. Toru Dutt’s family had also recently converted from Hinduism to Christianity, making the Western influences on the young poet quite strong.
Dutt’s treatment of Hindu myths and legends is thoughtful and sensitive, and earned her much critical praise. She became one of the best and the most effective literary communicators of Indian culture to the West. Dutt’s poetry has a strong narrative force that makes the ancient stories come alive.
In some ways, Dutt could be viewed as simply a translator of tales that had long existed before her. But her poetic voice is entirely hers. Some passages may seem sentimental to modern readers, but this reflects the literary tastes of the time, both in the United Kingdom and India. For more information, see India (Literature).
