Vat Savitri, also known as Vat Purnima, is dedicated to legendary Savitri who with her severe penance succeeded in conquering the life of her dead husband Satyavan. Hence the name ‘Vat Savitri Puja’. Women celebrate the festival for longevity, well-being, and prosperity of their husbands. The festival is considered as a symbol of love and devotion of a wife to her husband. There are several tales associated with Savitri and Satyvan.
Savitri’s birth
King Aswapati of Madra Kingdom was childless for many years. After his severe penance to Sun God Savitri, she grants him a boon that he will be blessed with a daughter soon. A daughter is born and the king names her Savitri in honour of the goddess. Savitri was a beautiful and charming princess but when she reaches the age of marriage, no man asks her hand. Later, her father tells her to find a life partner on her own.
Savitri meets Satyavan
Savitri in search of her soulmate sets out on a pilgrimage and comes across Satyavan, the son of blind King Dyumatsena of Salwa Kingdom. The royal family after losing everything starts living in exile as forest-dwellers. Savitri tells her father about Satyavan but Sage Narada warns the king that Satyawan is destined to die exact a year later. But Savitri insists that she would only marry him and Ashwapati acquiesces. The couple gets married, Savitri leaves all her dignitaries and starts living with her husband and in-laws in the forest.
Savitri impresses Yama
Exact three days before the predicted death of Satyawan, Savitri starts fasting and vigil. On the fourth day, Savitri with her in-laws’ permission accompanies her husband into the forest. While splitting wood Satyavan falls down from a tree and breathes his last on the lap of his wife. When the god of death Yama comes to claim his soul Savitri offers successive formulas of wisdom. She starts praising obedience to Dharma and then praises Yama for being a King of Dharma and for his just rule and ends her speech explaining about noble deeds without any expectation. Impressed by her speech, Yama blesses her with three boons except ‘the life of her husband’.
Three boons…
Savitri states her three boons – eyesight and kingdom of her father-in-law, hundred children for her father and hundred children for herself and Satyavan. The third wish creates a dilemma as it would require Satyavan to be alive. So he asks her to ask anything else as her third boon. Savitri insists on her wish and at last, Yama grants Satyavan a new life and blesses the couple with eternal happiness.
A few moments later Satyavan wakes up and feels as if he was in deep sleep. When they return to their home they find Dyumatsenahas has regained his eyesight. And then comes the news of the death of the usurper. The royal family returns to the kingdom only to live happily thereafter.
