We can continue the school analogy here too. Affection, attachments etc are not traps of illusion but steps and stages of our schooling. Just as a child must first learn the letters, then words, then their sentences, then grow further to find new meanings in old sentences so too life is a constant new discovery.
Just as much of the details that we learn are forgotten but they lay down the base for future knowledge by building our brain muscles so too with the experiences of life.
At fist we learn only an ignorant self-love of a very selfish kind where no one else matters but our ego. Then we grow further and this love expands to include family and friends in our small and narrow circle. Then we learn attachment and affection, the love of give and take type. Then we grow further and learn to love with a sense of duty. Then still further we learn to give and not demand or expect anything in return. Finally when we have successfully grown through all these stages then are we ready to express and hold within us the tremendous energy of true love and of the highest Divine Love. If this happens prematurely the body will break down. Remember how excited we get over small joys! Then how can we feel the highest Bliss. So these are steps and stages of our schooling. Some learn fast and grow further, others are slow learners. But that is the passage.
Savitri embodied the highest form of love. This is explained in Savitri itself That is why She could save Satyavan. Besides the story is symbolic and whoever can thus embody such a vast love will be able to save his soul and others.
affectionately
alok da