Vat Purnima fast is considered to have special significance in Hindu religion. This festival is celebrated on the full moon day of Jyeshtha month and is also known as Vat Savitri Purnima or Snan Purnima. On this day, married women worship the Banyan tree and pray for the long life and happy married life of their husbands.
According to religious beliefs, the most important part of Vat Purnima Vrat is its narrative, which is heard or read in the form of the mythological story of Savitri and Satyavan. It is believed that listening to this story brings unbroken good fortune and removes obstacles in marital life.
The story of Savitri and Satyavan
In ancient times, there was a king named Ashwapati, whose daughter’s name was Savitri. Savitri was extremely intelligent, pious and beautiful. She herself chose a forest prince named Satyavan as her husband. The sages had already predicted that Satyavan’s life would be very short.
After marriage, Savitri started living in the forest with her husband. As fate would have it, one day when Satyavan went to the forest to cut wood, the time of his death came. At the same time Yamraj came to take his life. Savitri followed Yamraj on the strength of her devotion to her husband and kept requesting him to give back her husband’s life.
Pleased with Savitri’s devotion, intelligence and determination, Yamraj gave her many boons, but in the end Savitri cleverly obtained the boon of her husband’s resurrection. Ultimately, Satyavan was given life and Savitri’s marriage remained unbroken.
Importance of worshiping banyan tree
According to the legend, the banyan tree under which Savitri got her husband back is still considered a symbol of life, longevity and stability. Therefore, on this day, women worship the banyan tree, circumambulate it and tie a thread on its trunk and pray for the protection of their husbands.
religious message of fasting
Vat Purnima fast is not just a religious ritual, but it is considered a symbol of women power, dedication and unbreakable love. It is believed that by observing this fast with devotion and regularly, the life of the husband increases, marital life becomes happy and happiness and prosperity reside in the house.
In this way, the story of Vat Purnima fast presents a wonderful example of sacrifice, courage and devotion of women in Indian culture, which inspires people even today.