When the fatal day drew near, she was so weak and faint she could hardly stand; but, when Satyavan announced he was going out into the forest to cut wood, she begged to accompany him, although he objected the way was far too rough and hard for her tender feet.

By dint of coaxing, however, Savitri obtained his consent; so hand in hand she passed with her husband through the tropical woods.
While Satyavan was felling a tree, he suddenly reeled and fell at her feet, fainting.

In a moment Savitri was bending over him, holding his head in her lap and eagerly trying to recall life in his veins.

While doing so, she suddenly became aware of Yama, God of Death, with blood-red clothes, cruel eyes, and the long black noose, with which he snares the soul and draws it out of the body.

In spite of Savitri's pleading, he now drew out Satyavan's soul and started off with his prize, leaving the youthful body pale and cold on the ground.
With that the gloomy god fitted his noose, And forced forth from the prince the soul of him-- Subtile, a thumb in length--which being reft, Breath stayed, blood stopped, the body's grace was gone, And all life's warmth to stony coldness turned.
Then, binding it, the Silent Presence bore Satyavan's soul away toward the South.
-- _Edwin Arnold._ But the little wife, instead of staying with the corpse, followed Yama, imploring him not to bear off her husband's soul! Turning around, Yama sternly bade her go back, as no human mortal could tread the road he was following, and reminding her that it was her duty to perform her husband's funeral rites.