Savitri: The Embodiment of Feminine Strength and Devotion

 

Savitri: The Embodiment of Feminine Strength and Devotion

In our Puranas  the Mahabharata and Ramayana, we find numerous stories of women who exemplify the maturity of feminine power, determination, and penance. Among them, Savitri stands out as a prominent figure—renowned for her penance that brought back her husband from death. The famous vrata  that she observed is known as the Vata Savitri Vrata.

Here, "Vata" refers to the banyan tree.

Although the episode of Savitri in the Mahabharata does not specifically mention the banyan tree, various Puranas such as the Skanda Purana describe the connection between the story and the banyan tree. The essence of this beautiful story is as follows:

Once, in the land of Madra, there lived a king named Ashwapati. Though he had been married for many years, he remained childless. Wishing to have children, he undertook rigorous penance. He practiced recited the Gayatri Mantra, and offered ten thousand Ahutis into the sacrificial fire.

In this manner, he performed penance for eighteen years. Pleased by his austerity, the goddess Savitri (or Saraswati) appeared and granted him a boon:

"A brilliant and virtuous daughter shall be born to you."

As per this divine boon, a daughter was born to his senior queen. Since the child was born due to the blessing of Savitri, she was named Savitri.

When she reached her youth, her beauty was so extraordinary that no prince dared propose marriage to her, thinking she was beyond their reach. This troubled the king, and he said to his daughter:

 "Putri pradānakālaste | 

na ca kaścit vṛṇoti mām||

Svayam anviṣya bhartāraṁ |

 guṇaiḥ sadṛśam ātmanaḥ"*

(Mahabharata – Vana Parva 282.33) 

 “Daughter, the time has come for your marriage, yet no one is coming forward to seek your hand. Therefore, go forth yourself and find a husband who matches your virtues.”

He further said, “But inform me of the one you choose. I shall investigate his background and arrange the marriage accordingly.” Saying so, he sent her off with soldiers to find a suitable groom.

Savitri visited many regions and eventually returned to the palace. At that time, the sage Narada was present. She announced that she had chosen Satyavan, the son of Dyumatsena.

Dyumatsena was once a powerful king. However, due to the effects of past karma, he became blind, and his minister betrayed him, usurping the kingdom. Now he lived in the forest with his son. Satyavan, though raised in such adversity, was deeply religious and virtuous.

Savitri expressed her wish to marry him. However, Narada warned:

“Though Satyavan is virtuous, he is short-lived—he has only one year left to live.”

Despite this grave warning, Savitri remained unshaken. Even when her father objected, she firmly declared that she would marry no one but Satyavan. Her decision was final and unchanging.

The king, seeing his daughter’s resolve, consented and arranged the marriage.

After marrying the man she chose, Savitri lived happily. But she never forgot Narada’s prophecy.

Four days before the predicted death of her husband, she took a vow to observe a three-night penance for his well-being. She remained awake throughout the nights, continuously worshipping the gods and maintaining her fast.

On the full moon day of the Jyeshtha month, Satyavan went into the forest to gather firewood. Savitri followed him. As he was cutting wood, he suddenly fell ill and laid his head on her lap to rest.

At that moment, Yama, the god of death, appeared to take away Satyavan’s soul.

Savitri, determined to protect her husband, followed Yama. She engaged him in deep philosophical discussions and prayed with great devotion. Pleased by her wisdom and steadfastness, Yama offered her three boons—except for her husband’s life.

Savitri requested:

1. That her father-in-law, Dyumatsena, regain his eyesight.

2. That her father, Ashwapati, be blessed with a hundred sons.

3. That her husband, Satyavan, be granted a lifespan of 400 years.

Thus, moved by her loyalty and righteousness, Yama granted all three boons.

However, what is especially noteworthy here is the order of her boons:

The first boon was for her husband’s lineage, The second was for her own birth family, And only the third boon was for her husband’s life.

This reveals her thoughtful and dharmic approach to duty—first honoring her husband’s family, then her father’s family, and lastly, her own love and desire.

Hence, Madhvacharya remarked: "*Kanyā bata kuladvayatāriṇī*

“A daughter redeems both her natal and marital families.”

In today’s times, when feminism is often viewed through the lens of breaking traditional family systems, Savitri stands as a beacon of integration, harmony, and strength. She is an ideal example for everyone—combining the best of resolve, wisdom, and dharmic values.

The vrata she undertook for her husband’s life is today observed by countless women as the Savitri Vrata, symbolizing love, commitment, and the power of feminine determination.

Dr.Shrinidhi Pyati

P.P.S.M Bangalore .