King Ashwapati had no children. After years of penance and by the grace of Goddess Savitri, an extremely beautiful and virtuous daughter was born to him. She was named ‘Savitri’ after the Goddess. As Savitri grew up, her radiance and beauty blossomed further. When she came of marriageable age, her divine beauty was such that no prince dared to propose marriage to her. Concerned, King Ashwapati asked Savitri to choose her own groom. Savitri traveled across the kingdom and the hermitages (Tapovans), and finally, her search ended. She chose Satyavan as her husband. Satyavan was the son of King Dyumatsen, who had lost his kingdom and was now living an ascetic’s life in the forest with his wife, having lost his eyesight. Satyavan chopped wood to feed his parents.
When Savitri told her father about her choice, Sage Narada happened to be present there. Sage Narada praised Savitri’s choice but also revealed a terrible truth, “Satyavan is virtuous, but his lifespan is very short. Exactly one year from today, his death is certain.” Hearing this, King Ashwapati panicked and asked Savitri to change her decision. But Savitri remained firm in her resolve. She said, “Father, a daughter is given away in marriage only once. I have accepted Satyavan as my husband in my heart. Now whatever happens, he will be my life partner.” Everyone had to bow down before Savitri’s firm determination, and her marriage with Satyavan was solemnized.
Leaving the comforts of the royal palace, Savitri came to the forest. She dedicated her entire life to serving her blind parents-in-law and her husband. Time passed, but Narada’s words constantly echoed in Savitri’s mind. As the day of Satyavan’s death approached, Savitri’s anxiety grew. Three days before the destined day, she took a vow to fast without food or water. She prayed to God day and night and continued to serve her parents-in-law.
Finally, that day arrived. Satyavan started leaving for the forest to chop wood as usual. Savitri also insisted on going with him. Despite Satyavan’s refusal, she did not agree and set off towards the forest with him. Reaching the forest, Satyavan started chopping wood. Suddenly, he developed a severe headache. Groaning in pain, he lay down resting his head in Savitri’s lap. Savitri understood that the time had come. In a few moments, Satyavan passed away.
Just then, Savitri saw Yamraj (the God of Death) himself standing there. Yamraj bound Satyavan’s soul in his noose and started walking towards the south. Savitri also silently started following him. When Yamraj saw her following him, he turned around and said, “O Goddess, you should return from here. Satyavan’s time is over. The duty you had, you have fulfilled.” Savitri humbly replied, “Maharaj, wherever my husband goes, I will also go. This is a wife’s dharma.”
Yamraj was very pleased with Savitri’s knowledge of Dharma and her words. He asked her to ask for any boon other than Satyavan’s life. Savitri asked for her blind parents-in-law’s eyesight and their lost kingdom back. Yamraj granted the boon saying ‘Tathastu’ (so be it) and asked her to go back, but Savitri still kept walking behind him. She discussed many profound subjects of Dharma, Karma, and life with Yamraj. Impressed by her words, Yamraj asked her to ask for a boon again. This time Savitri asked for the boon of a hundred sons for her father, as he had no son. Yamraj granted this boon too.
Yamraj once again asked her to return, but Savitri did not give up. She said, “O Dharmaraj, you are the lord of the three worlds. You are the knower of Dharma. Can a wife live without her husband? If you are pleased with me, then grant me the boon of getting a hundred sons from Satyavan.” Yamraj was so engrossed in Savitri’s words that he inadvertently said ‘Tathastu’.
As soon as he granted the boon, Yamraj realized his mistake. How was it possible for Savitri to have sons without Satyavan? Yamraj had to bow down before Savitri’s incredible intelligence and devotion to her husband. He released Satyavan’s life. Satyavan woke up as if he had awoken from a deep sleep. Meanwhile, in the forest, his parents-in-law regained their eyesight, and they also got their lost kingdom back.
All this was the result of Savitri’s unwavering faith, firm determination, and the prayer made under that banyan tree. That is why even today, women observe the ‘Vat Savitri’ fast for the long life and prosperity of their husbands and remember this immortal story of Savitri.
