वट सावित्री व्रत कथा
सावित्री ने यमराज से सत्यवान के प्राण कैसे लौटाए — वट वृक्ष की कथा
वट सावित्री अमावस्या (तथा कुछ क्षेत्रों में वट पूर्णिमा) पर सुहागिन स्त्रियाँ व्रत रखकर वट (बरगद) वृक्ष की पूजा करती हैं, उसमें सूत लपेटकर अपने पति की दीर्घायु व कल्याण की कामना करती हैं। यह व्रत सावित्री की स्मृति में है — आदर्श पतिव्रता, जिसने अपने ज्ञान और अटल प्रेम से यमराज से अपने पति के प्राण लौटा लिए। यह उन्हीं की कथा है, महाभारत से।
सावित्री का वरण
Savitri was the noble and beautiful daughter of King Ashwapati. When the time came for her marriage, she herself set out and chose Satyavan, the son of a blind king who had lost his kingdom and lived in the forest as a hermit. The sage Narada warned her father that, though Satyavan was virtuous in every way, he was fated to die exactly one year from that day. But Savitri replied firmly, 'A woman of noble heart chooses her husband but once.' She would not change her mind, and the marriage took place.
Savitri laid aside her royal robes, dressed in bark and went to live in the forest, serving her husband and his aged parents with perfect devotion. Yet she never forgot Narada's prophecy. As the year drew to its close, she undertook a severe three-day fast and vigil to strengthen herself for what was to come.
सावित्री और यमराज
On the fated day, Satyavan went into the forest to gather wood, and Savitri, sensing danger, went with him. As he swung his axe he grew faint and lay down with his head in her lap. Then Savitri beheld Yama himself, dark and majestic, come to draw out Satyavan's soul and depart toward the south.
Without fear Savitri followed. Yama bade her turn back, for the living may not follow the dead — but moved by her wisdom and devotion, he offered her any boon except her husband's life. She asked first that her blind father-in-law regain his sight and kingdom; Yama granted it. As she still followed, he granted her father a hundred sons. Still she walked on, speaking such words of dharma and truth that Yama, delighted, offered one boon more — 'anything save Satyavan's life.' Savitri asked, 'Grant that I may be the mother of a hundred sons.' 'So be it,' said Yama — and only then realised that, bound to a faithful wife, this boon could not be fulfilled without restoring her husband. Caught by her cleverness and won by her virtue, Yama released Satyavan's soul. Savitri returned to the banyan tree; Satyavan awoke as if from sleep, and they lived long in happiness. Since then married women worship the vat tree, praying for the same blessing of an unbroken marriage.
व्रत का फल
वट सावित्री व्रत सुहागिन स्त्रियाँ पति की दीर्घायु, आरोग्य व समृद्धि तथा अखंड सौभाग्य के लिए रखती हैं। सदियों तक जीवित रहने वाले वट वृक्ष की पूजा अटूट दांपत्य-बंधन की कामना का प्रतीक है, जो सावित्री के भक्ति व साहस के आदर्श से अनुगृहीत है।
इस पूजा के मंत्र व आरती
सामान्य प्रश्न
When is the Vat Savitri vrat observed?
It is observed on the Amavasya (new moon) of the month of Jyeshtha in North India (Vat Savitri Amavasya), and on Jyeshtha Purnima (Vat Purnima) in Maharashtra, Gujarat and the south — about a fortnight apart, both celebrating the same Savitri-Satyavan story.
Why is the banyan (vat) tree worshipped?
The banyan lives for hundreds of years and is regarded as imperishable, sheltering the Trimurti. Married women circle it with a sacred thread while praying for the long life of their husbands, just as Savitri won Satyavan's life back beneath it.
Who can keep the Vat Savitri vrat?
It is traditionally kept by married women (suhagins) for the welfare and longevity of their husbands; in many families newly married women begin it and continue every year.