Savitrī pleading with Yama for her husband, Satyavān's life. Chromolithograph by R. Varma.

Savitrī was the daughter of King Aswapati and lover of Satyavān whom she insisted on marrying even though he only had a year to live. When the time came, Savitrī who had followed her husband to the woods, pleaded with Yama, god of Death, for her husband's spirit. So impressed was Yama at Savitrī's devotion he granted her three boons, but not her husband's spirit, however Savitrī followed Yama and carried on pleading until Yama relented and gave back Satyavān's spirit