One of the important rituals of the day is tying threads on a banyan tree. This year, the date of Vat Savitri Purnima (full moon) puja is June 2. Those observing it on Amavasya day (new moon) it was on May 17 — Vat Amavasi.
The fasting takes its name from Vat Vriksha (Banyan Tree) and Savitri. The Banayan Tree is symbolically represented as Lord Brahma (Creator), Vishnu (Sustainer) and Shiva (Destroyer). The root of Vat Vriksha is Brahma, the stem is Vishnu and the upper part is Shiva. On the puja day, the Banyan tree also symbolically represents Savitri and the incident mentioned in the Mahabharata (one of the two major Sanskrit epics of ancient India).
The celebration is derived from the story of Savitri and Satyavan.
Legend has it that Princess Savitri, the daughter of King Ashwapati of Bhadra Kingdom, fell in love with Satyavan, a woodcutter. It had been foretold that Satyavan would not live for long. One day, Satyavan suddenly died. The messenger of Yama; the God of death came to take Satyavan. But Savitri refused to give her beloved husband. Messenger after messenger tried to take Satyavan away, but in vain. Finally, Yama himself appeared in front of Savitri and insisted to give her husband.
Since, she was still adamant, he offered her a boon. She asked for the well being of her in-laws. He granted it to her. She then followed him as he took Satyavan’s body away. He offered her another boon. She now asked for the well being of her parents. This boon, too, was granted. But she was relentless and continued to follow him.
As they approached Yama’s abode, he offered her a final boon. She asked for a son. He granted it. But there was a conflict with this boon. She asked him how it would be possible for her to beget sons without her husband. Yama was stumped and realized the great devotion Savitri had for her husband. Lord Yama was impressed with her determination, and had to return the soul of her husband to his body. Henceforth, the world recognized her as the great “Sati Savitri”. On the day of Vat Savitri, women hold a fast and pray for their husband’s safety in the same way Savitri did.
It is believed that Satyavan spent his last moments under a Vat or Banyan tree on the full moon day in month of Jyeshtha (May to June). And Yamraj appeared here and Savitri pleaded with Yamraj under the Banyan tree. In memory of this event, women go round the Banyan tree for 108 times tying threads and fast for the health and longevity of their husbands.
Dr. Aparna Chawla is a licensed dentist practicing in New Jersey. She is a member of the Franklin Township Interfaith Council & Somerset County Cultural Diversity Coalition.