Vat Savitri Purnima Vrat: Symbolizing Love, Devotion, and Ideals

The Vat Purnima Vrat is renowned among young girls and married women. Married women especially observe this fast for their husbands.

Observed either on Full Moon Day or New Moon Day in the month of Jyestha, Vat Purnima Vrat holds a special significance in the hearts of the women who follow it.

The vrat rituals usually begin on Trayodashi (the 13th day) and end on either Purnima or Amavasya. Narada Purana states that the vrat can be observed either on Jyestha Purnima or Jyestha Amavasya.

Vat Savitri Vrat is just celebrated before the onset of the rainy season.

The Banyan tree is also called the Vat Vriksha. Because of the pivotal role the Banyan tree plays in this vrat, this vrat is popularly known as Vat Savitri Vrat.

Let’s dive into the story, the significance and the prime benefits of this auspicious Vrat.

Ashvapati, a famous king, ruled the kingdom of Madra. His wife was Malati.

The couple were childless and grew old. They wanted to beget a child, so they retired to the forests and constantly prayed to Devi Savitri for eighteen years. Devi Savitri is the consort of Brahma.

After eighteen years, pleased with the couple's devotion and prayers, Devi Savitri appeared and granted a boon. When Ashvapati and Malati returned to the palace, Malati soon conceived and bore a daughter. They named their daughter Savitri.

Savitri was married to Satyavan. Satyavan was the son of the King of Salva- Dyumatsena. Dyumatsena, his wife and Satyavan were forced to live in the forests by the machinations of the Dyumatsena’s kinsmen. During this time, Savitri married Satyavan, who was earning as a wood-cutter.

Once while cutting the wood, Satyavan fell unconscious with a headache. Satyavan had a short life.

The God of Death, Lord Yama, emerged on the scene. Savitri noticed him and pleaded to spare her husband’s life. But Yamaraj would not yield.

In return, he asked Savitri to ask for a boon.

To this Savitri first asked for her father-in-law’s eyesight and lost kingdom. Yamaraj agreed and asked her to return. But Savitri continued to pursue the God of death. On seeing her relentlessly pleading, he granted Savitri another boon for her husband’s life.

In reply to the second boon, Savitri asked that her father be blessed with sons. Yamaraj agreed again and commanded Savitri to return.

Savitri, again relentless in her fight to get her husband back, pursued Yamaraj. To chase her away, Yamaraj agreed to grant her the third boon in turn for her husband’s life.

This time, Savitri asked that she be blessed with a hundred sons.

Yamaraj, without a forethought, agreed again. In this way, Savitri tricked the God of Death into saving her husband’s life.

Savitri thus represents the ultimate epitome of matrimonial fidelity. Using her power of dedication, she saved her short-lived husband. This story dates back to the times of Mahabharat and signifies the human ability to fulfil desires with the right intention.

1. Wake up early, preferably before sunrise and finish your cleansing rituals.

2. After bathing, it's preferable to wear a red saree. Offer arghya to Surya Deva and worship Him by chanting his 12 names.

3. Young girls wear yellow robes before they begin the rituals.

4. Avoid wearing colours like grey, white, blue and black.

5. The Banyan tree has a special significance on this day. This tree holds the essence of all three gods - Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. So choose a banyan tree and clean the place under the tree with Gangajal. If Gangajal is not available, then you may use normal pure water to purify the place of worship.

6. Take two bamboo baskets and fill them both with the Saptadhanya. In the first basket to your left, place the idols/pictures of Satyavan, Savitri and Yama. In the second basket filled with the Saptadhanya, place the idol/picture of Shri Brahma.

7. If you are unable to place the idol or pictures, then you may mentally worship them.

8. Now place both baskets under the tree.

9. Prepare rice flour pitha and apply it to the tree.

10. Offer water at the roots of the Banyan tree.

11. After offering the water at the roots of the Banyan tree, wrap the sacred thread around the bark of the tree seven times. While wrapping the raw yarn, you have to circumambulate the tree seven times. Wrapping the thread and circumambulating the tree seven times has a special meaning on this day. It signifies that the thread will protect your relationship (with your husband) for seven births.

12. After you finish wrapping the thread seven times, offer fruits, flowers, grains, incense, and clothes at the root of the tree.

13. Make the garland of the leaves. Wear the garland and listen to the Vat Savitri Vrat story.

14. Prepare a dish of grams (this is usually done before you begin the vrat). Along with some money, offer it to your mother-in-law and seek her blessings.

15. In the end, offer the fruits, grains and clothes to a Brahmin.

16. You can also offer dakshina to young girls and seek blessings from other married women.

17. You can break the fast first by eating the sap of the Banyan tree, followed by satvik food. You may also eat 11 soaked grams to break the fast.

Vat Savitri Vrat is especially observed by married women. This Vrat has various benefits, and we mention a few here.

Bringing luck and prosperity to your husband is the prime significance of Vat Savitri Vrat. But besides the benedictions brought about by this vrat, observing it whole-heartedly can brighten up your life, remove hurdles in your marriage and bless you with a healthy marital life.

It is through the observance of this vrat that unmarried girls, too, can auspiciously remove hurdles in their marriage.

Savitri is a brilliant example of devotion and dedication. Worshipping her on this auspicious occasion brings not only marital prosperity but also grants married women with overall health.