Vat Savitri Vrat

"Vat Savitri Vrat" is one of the main festivals observed in the month of Jyeshtha. This fast is observed by married women to attain long life and uninterrupted well-being for their husbands. In India, "Vat Savitri Vrat" is observed on both the new moon (Amavasya) and full moon (Purnima) days of the Jyeshtha month. In some parts of India (Northern India), this fast is observed on the Amavasya date of the Jyeshtha month, while in other parts (Southern India), it is observed on the Purnima date. However, the rituals, stories, and significance remain the same on both dates.

According to the Skanda Purana, when Goddess Parvati asked Lord Shiva to describe the nature of the Savitri Vrat, he graciously explained the rules, rituals, and significance.

Lord Mahadev replied, "Deveshwari! Let me describe the observance and the results attained by following the vow of the virtuous wife Savitri. Listen carefully. On the thirteenth day of the waxing phase (Shukla Paksha) of the Jyeshtha month, after brushing your teeth, take a bath and then observe a three-night fast. If a woman is unable to observe a three-night fast, she can observe a night fast on the thirteenth day, an uninvited fast on the fourteenth day, and a fast on the full moon day (Purnima). Every day, take a bath in a big river or a waterfall, or if convenient, take a small amount of Ganga water and bathe at home. Especially on a full moon day, it is ideal to take a bath with mustard, clay, and Ganga water.

Take a bamboo vessel filled with sand and fill another container made of bamboo with grains like barley, rice, or sesame wrapped in two pieces of cloth. Place images of Goddess Savitri and Lord Brahma made from gold, silver, or clay inside the container. Then, offer two red cloths to these images and worship them according to your capacity. Offer sandalwood paste, fragrant flowers, incense, lamps, food offerings, flowers of the Taroi or Latajira tree, fruits of the Kumhada and Kakadi trees, coconut, dried dates, Kath fruit, pomegranate, jamun, lemon, orange, Kankol, jackfruit, jaggery, salt, and other items in bamboo vessels.

Color the "Kanthasutra" (a sacred thread) with beautiful saffron and kumkum (vermilion). Then, while reciting the mantras, perform the worship.

The mantra is as follows:

"Oṃkārpūrvike Devi Vīṇāpustakadhāriṇi

Devyambike Namastubhyam Avaivāhavyaṃ Prayaccha Me"

(Oh, Mother Savitri, who holds the veena and book, I bow to you. Please grant me marital bliss.)

After performing this worship and prayer, engage in singing and playing music with many women and men, and carry out a night vigil. Listen to the story of Savitri from respected Brahmins. Perform the marriage of Lord Brahma and Goddess Savitri. Donate all the items used for the worship to the Brahmins. Offer a Savitri idol to a destitute Agnihotri Brahmin whose livelihood is difficult.

On that night, invite Brahmin couples and provide them with a meal under the Banyan tree in front of Savitri. It is said that feeding each Brahmin is as virtuous as feeding millions of Brahmins. When serving the Brahmins, do not serve items prepared with bitter oil. Never serve sour or excessively salty food to a woman.

Arrange five types of sweet dishes for the meal:

"Poohe" made from milk and ghee (a type of flattened rice dish). "Ashok Vartika" (a specific dish).

"Poopika" (a kind of malpua) made with dates. Halwa is made from ghee and jaggery Modak.

A woman who follows these practices becomes wealthy, prosperous, and fulfilled by people. Her lineage remains complete, and no woman in her family becomes a widow. On this day, performing "Pind-Daan" and offering food to ancestors during Shraddh satisfies the ancestors. This is the statement of Lord Brahma. Performing Shraddh and charity at home is considered more virtuous than visiting pilgrimage sites because it is not affected by the gaze of lower-caste individuals. Shraddh offerings should be done in privacy and secrecy. When the offerings are untainted by the gaze of those of lower caste, they reach their ancestors and bring contentment.

In different families, there are different customary ways of conducting worship. You can also perform the worship according to your traditions, without any doubt.

According to the Narada Purana, the 'Vat Savitri Vrat' is observed on the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month. On that day, married women observe a fast, and they water the banyan tree with sweet and pure water, akin to nectar. They then circumambulate the tree one hundred and eight times while wrapping it with a sacred thread. Afterward, offer this prayer to the devoted Savitri Goddess:

"Jagatpoojye Jagannmatah Savitri Patidaivate

Patyaa Sahaaviyogam Me Vatasthe Kuru Te Namah"

"Divine Mother of the universe, Savitri, who is dedicated to her husband as the chosen deity, I offer my salutations to you. You are the goddess residing in the banyan tree and honoring your husband as your deity. Please bestow your grace upon me, ensuring that I remain eternally united with my husband, never experiencing separation. I offer my humble respects to you."

A woman who prays to Goddess Savitri in this manner and then, after serving a meal to married women on the following day (Suvasini women), partakes in food herself becomes blessed with everlasting marital happiness. Every family has its own traditions, and you can certainly observe this vow according to the customs of your own tradition.

The story of Savitri

In the Skanda Purana, Lord Mahadev is narrating the story of Savitri to Goddess Parvati:

"Parvati! In the land of Madra, there was a renowned and righteous king named Ashwapati. He was dedicated to the welfare of all beings, forgiving, truthful, and self-controlled. However, he had no offspring. Once, King Ashwapati undertook a journey to the Prabhas region. While visiting the sacred places of this region, he arrived at the spot known as Savitri. There, he observed the Savitri Vrat. As a result, his devout dedication impressed the beloved wife of Lord Brahma, Goddess Bhurbhuvah Swaha Swarupa Savitri Devi. She became extremely pleased with him and appeared before him.

Goddess Savitri spoke, 'O King! Ask for a boon.'

The king replied, 'Devi! I am childless, grant me a child.'

Savitri said, 'O King! You shall be blessed with a daughter.' After saying this, Savitri Devi disappeared. After some time, a divine maiden was born to King Ashwapati. Due to the grace of Savitri's blessings, this maiden was bestowed upon him. The Brahmins named her Savitri as she was gifted through Savitri's grace. This royal maiden, like Goddess Lakshmi, began to prosper. Upon seeing her, people remarked that she appeared like a divine being descended to Earth."

One day, upon seeing that divine maiden, King Ashwapati consulted his ministers and said, "Daughter! The time has come for your marriage, but so far, no suitable groom has been found for you. Despite considering various options, no worthy suitor seems to appear. To avoid any criticism from deities and others, it is necessary to try in this regard. I have heard from the scriptures that if a maiden sees a suitable groom before the marriage ceremony, it brings a stain to her father's honor, akin to the sin of Brahmahatya (killing a Brahmin). Hence, I am sending you on a pilgrimage accompanied by elderly ministers. You yourself choose your husband."

Upon receiving her father's command, Savitri set out on a pilgrimage. She visited the beautiful hermitages of sage-rishis and paid respects to the elderly sages. She traveled to various ashrams and sacred places and then returned home. Upon her return, she saw the divine sage Narada seated on a seat of honor. After bowing to him, she informed her father, "Father! In the kingdom of Shashwadesh, there was a righteous Kshatriya king named Dyumatsena. Due to divine influence, he became blind. His relative Rukmi, who harbored enmity towards him, seized the opportunity and took away the king's kingdom. King Dyumatsena, accompanied by his wife and a young child, went to the forest. His wife carried their young son in her lap. In the forest, their son grew up to be a noble and virtuous soul. His name is Satyavan. He is the embodiment of righteousness. Satyavan is the husband I desire as he perfectly aligns with my heart's desire."

Sage Narada replied, "O King! Savitri is still a young girl, yet she has chosen the virtuous Satyavan as her husband. Her father is truthful in his speech, her mother speaks truthfully, and Savitri herself is known for her honesty. That's why the sages named the prince Satyavan. Satyavan is fond of horses. He crafts clay figurines of horses and paints their images, thus he is also called Chitrashva. But by accepting him as her husband, Savitri has taken upon herself a great challenge. Dyumatsena's son, Satyavan, is comparable to deities in education, generosity, and virtues. Like King Shibi, he is devoted to truth and Brahmins. He possesses the generosity of Yayati, the beauty of the moon, the handsomeness of the Ashwini Kumaras, and extraordinary strength. However, there is one flaw in him. After one year, his life will come to an end, and he will leave his mortal body."

Upon hearing this from Sage Narada, the King said to his daughter, "Savitri! Go and choose another worthy groom. This Satyavan will indeed depart from this world within a year."

Savitri spoke, "Father! Kings speak only once. Wise men also utter the same statement once, and the gift of a maiden is done only once. These three actions happen only once. Whether Satyavan's life is long or short, whether he possesses virtues or not, I have chosen him once, and now he is my husband. Therefore, I will not choose another groom. Decisions made in the mind should be spoken through words and then acted upon. I have done the same. My conviction in this matter remains firm."

Narada said, "O King! If this is Savitri's wish, then you should also accept this relationship and promptly carry out the marriage. There should be no obstacles in your daughter's wedding. With these words, Narada departed for heaven. The King arranged for the wedding ceremonies of his daughter under the guidance of knowledgeable Brahmins well-versed in Vedic rituals. Savitri was delighted to have her desired husband. Thus, they spent some time in the hermitage. Savitri, however, was constantly worried. She did not forget the words spoken by Narada. She mentally calculated and realized that her husband's death was approaching on the fourth day from then. Therefore, she started the Tri Ratri Vrat (fast observed for three nights) and performed her ablutions. She offered prayers to deities and ancestors and paid her respects to her in-laws. After completing these rituals, Savitri accompanied Satyavan as he set off with an axe in his hand towards the forest.

Savitri followed him closely. Satyavan quickly gathered fruits, flowers, fuel, and blades of sacred grass, tying them together with dried twigs. Then, he took the support of a banyan tree's branch, turned towards Savitri, and said, "Beloved, I am suffering from a severe headache. I wish to rest my head in your lap for a moment."

Savitri said, "Mighty-armed one! Come, rest here. After a short while, we will return to the hermitage."

Afterward, when Satyavan laid his head in Savitri's lap to rest, she saw a man with a dark yellow complexion. He wore a crown on his head and was adorned with a yellow robe. He radiated brilliance like the sun. Savitri greeted him and asked in a gentle voice, "Who are you? Stay away. Due to my devotion to my husband, no one can lead me astray from righteousness. No one can touch me, just like a flame cannot be touched."

Yama replied, "Dedicated wife! I am Yama, the controller of all. Your husband's lifespan has diminished. My messengers are unable to approach and take him away, so I have come myself. When he said this, a man emerged from Satyavan's body, about the size of a thumb, bound by a noose. Savitri looked at him and, following Yama, began to walk behind him. Due to her devotion to her husband, she felt no fatigue on the path. Yama said to her, 'Savitri, you have come a long way. Now, you should return. No living person walks on this path.'"

Savitri said, "Lord! I experience no exhaustion while walking, nor do I feel any weakness. Apart from my husband, there is no other support for a woman. Hearing these and many more righteous and sweet words from the son of the sun, Yama, Savitri became joyful, and he said, 'Goddess! May your welfare be ensured. Ask for a boon.'

Then, Savitri, with humility, requested five boons: 'May my noble father-in-law regain his eyesight, may he regain his lost kingdom, may my husband be revived, may the lost kingdom be restored, and may I have sons.' Pleased with her devotion and righteousness, Yama granted her the boons.

With the blessing of Yama, Savitri's father-in-law regained his eyesight and his lost kingdom. Satyavan was brought back to life, and his kingdom was restored. Savitri was filled with joy upon being reunited with her husband. Now, with a contented heart, she lived in the hermitage with her husband. She observed this vow on the full moon day of Jyeshtha, which safeguarded her marital happiness.

Verified from Skanda Puran……….

Notable Facts

Why is the banyan tree given significance in Vat Savitri Vrat or other religious practices? Is there really a divine presence of deities in this tree?

In ancient times, humans relied on trees for their basic necessities such as fuel and economic requirements. Continuously cutting down trees for their benefits and basic needs, human beings were impacting the environment. To fulfill their needs and safeguard the fundamental requirements, humans were cutting trees, but for the protection of life, living beings, and the environment, the conservation of trees was also extremely essential.

While there are many types of trees on Earth, the banyan tree plays a crucial role in the protection of human life and the environment. Ancient sages and seers were already aware of the divine and medicinal qualities of the banyan tree. Even under the banyan tree, Lord Yama restored Satyavan's life and blessed Savitri with eternal marital happiness. Due to its longevity and uninterrupted growth, married women worship the banyan tree, seeking blessings for their husband's long life.

The banyan tree is characterized by its massive size and the ability to live for thousands of years. Its enormity and medicinal properties make it an environmentally significant tree.

Observing the massive size and strength of this tree, various animals and birds find shelter on its branches. From an environmental perspective, the environment contains various types of gases that are essential in one way or another for human life, crops, and more. Among these gases, oxygen is crucial for human existence. The banyan tree helps maintain the balance of these gases in the atmosphere.

From a philosophical viewpoint, the banyan tree's characteristics, such as its longevity and extensive root system, symbolize its acceptance of immortality. Its worship and conservation are considered necessary for these reasons.

Indeed, when we look at the medicinal aspect of the banyan tree, we find that its roots, bark, and leaves all possess medicinal properties that are effective even in severe and chronic diseases. Therefore, considering these qualities, the conservation of this tree has become extremely essential.

In the eternal religion (Sanatan Dharma), the divine is believed to reside in every element of existence. All the natural elements that aid in the preservation of life are considered equivalent to the divine, and the banyan tree, being one of them, is also regarded as divine. Therefore, in Sanatan Dharma, it is believed that all deities reside within the banyan tree, and thus, it is worshipped to protect and conserve it. Planting a banyan tree is considered a virtuous act as its age spans thousands of years, making it a constant protector of all life and the environment in the world.

Underneath this tree, Satyavan, the husband of Savitri, had sacrificed his life, and through the grace of this tree, Savitri had the divine vision of Yama (the Lord of Death) and succeeded in bringing back Satyavan's life. Because of this, worshipping and conserving the banyan tree is considered a paramount duty in the Sanatan Dharma.

In Sanatan Dharma, it is understood that the reverence and protection of the banyan tree are among the highest responsibilities of a human being.