Vat Savitri 2023:The Story of Savitri's Strong Will Power , Written By- Dr.Rashmi Vajpayee ~ Indian Culture

For the long life of the husband, women keep the fast of Vat Savitri. This fast is celebrated on the Amavasya or no moon day of Jyeshtha month. This year Vat Savitri falls on 19th May 2023. Shani Jayanti is also celebrated on this Amavasya of Jyestha month. According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and Lord Shiva resides on the Vat or banyan tree. Devotees get good luck by worshiping the Banyan tree. Vat Savitri fast and worship married women perform for their husband's prosperity, good health, and long life.

Story of Vat Savitri

The story of Savitri is described in the Van Parva of Mahabharata. During the exile of Pandavas, when Markandeya Rishi met them, Maharaja Yudhishthir asks him if any other woman has also had the same kind of compassion as 'Draupadi' who was born in the royal family but follow her husbands in their exile and giving up the comforts of the palace.

Then Markandeya told Yudhisthr the story of a Sati named 'Savitri' who has followed an even more difficult husbandry religion. Savitri was a princess who fell in love with a poor man named Satyavan. Devashree Narada warns them not to marry Satyavan as he will die at a young age and also tells her that he is going to die after only one year. But Savitri, despite knowing this, married Satyavan.

As time passed, Savitri's fear increased day by day. Finally, that day came, the day Satyavan's death was certain. On that day Savitri decided that she would not leave her husband for even a single moment. When Satyavan started getting ready to go to the forest to cut wood, Savitri also began to insist on going with him. Even after Satyavan's much persuasion, she was determined to go to the forest and went into the forest with Satyavan.

Satyavan climbed on a tree to cut wood, but in a short time he came down from the tree as he was feeling unwell and lay down on the ground, Satyavan became unconscious. Savitri started calling around and looking at God. Suddenly Savitri saw that Yamdev himself was standing before her. He forcefully freed the soul from Satyavan's body and headed towards the south.

Yamraj gave boons to Savitri-

Savitri when seeing Yamraj carrying her husband, She started following Yamraj. When Yamraj saw Savitri coming after him, he said that your husband can no longer get you back, his age is over, you return.

Savitri said that "Being a devoted woman, living with my husband is my religion." Yamraj said- "Savitri! I am very happy with your devotion, so you ask me whatever you want except for Satyavan's life. Then Savitri said-" Lord! My father-in-law is blind. You provide the light of their eyes again. Yamraj said - "It will happen, but now you go back."

Savitri said- "God! Today I have seen a deity like you, the vision of a deity like you never fails.

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Then Yamraj said-" I am very happy with you, except for Satyavan's life you can ask for another boon.

Savitri said- "Get my father-in-law back to his kingdom, at this time he is living like a forest dweller. Yamraj said -"Ok he will get his Kingdom and asking her to return.

Savitri said again that "O Lord! Gentlemen have pity on the enemies who have come to you, then you are the true God. Yamraj said that - "I am happy to give you another boon, but you cannot ask for the life of Satyavan".

Savitri said-"Lord, if you are so happy with me, then please give me a boon of hundred sons to increase my father-in-law's lineage". Yamraj said-"Ok Goddess, I gave it to you, now you return".

Yamraj grants life to Satyavan

But Savitri continued to follow Yamraj. Savitri said- "Lord, you have just given me a boon of hundred sons, if you take my husband, then how will my sons be?" On hearing the words of Savitri, Yamraj got trapped and in the end, he said- "Savitri you are very clever. You have confused me with your words. You are a devoted wife, so I give life to Satyavan."

After saying this, Yamraj disappeared from there and Savitri's husband Satyavan became alive. In this way, Savitri's firm determination forced Yamraj to regain her husband's life.

Vat Savitri Vrat Pujan Ingredients-

On the day of Vat Savitri fast, all married women worship the banyan tree with full 16 adornments and wish their husbands long life.

Photo by Vitaliy Lyubezhanin on Unsplash

References-

VanaParva: Wife'sDevotion and Satyavana”. 2008. Ch. XVIII in Vyasa's Mahabharatam, Kolkata: AcademicPublishers.2008. pp. 329–336.

About Rashmi Vajpayee

Hello friends I am DrRashmi Vajpayee,PhD Awardee,Assistant professor and founder of Rashmi Vajpayee's Confessions on Culture.Here I share everything about Indian Culture and Festivals.I hope you guys enjoy my content so keep reading!.