The true devotion

The 13^th tithi (date) of the Shukla paksha of Jyeshtha month of hindu lunar calendar is very important for a married woman. From this day till poornima(Full moon day), fast is observed for the longevity of husband. The name of the fast is “Vat-Savitri vrat”. The word “Vat” means banyan tree in hindi which is considered very auspicious and “Savitri” was a woman with whom the legend is associated. During the fast there is a ritual of tying thread around banyan tree. It is believe that the banyan tree is symbolic representation of Lord Brahma,Vishnu and Mahesh. The lower part of root is abode of lord Brahma, the stem of tree is abode of Lord Vishnu and the upper part of banyan tree is representation of lord Shiva, all making the tree a sacred one. As per legend , there was a princess Savitri who wanted to marry Satyavan. But sage Narad was against this marriage because as per destiny the Satyavan had only one year of remaining life. But Savitri ignored the warning and married to Satyavan as she truly loved him. After completion of one year, when Satyavan was resting under the banyan tree, Lord Yama, the god of death appeared to take the soul of Satyavan to heaven. At that moment Savitri begged for the life of her husband from the Yama. But all went in vain. But she was determined to follow lord Yama till the end. The way to Yamlok,the abode of lord Yama was too difficult and full of miseries. Lord Yama was impressed by her determination. He granted her 3 boons, except the life of her husband. This was the testing time for Savitri. First she asked for the vision of the blind father in law. Secondly she begged for the lost empire of his family. Lastly she begged for a son. The last wish of Savitri put Lord Yama in great dilemma because it could not be fulfilled without Satyavan. Lord Yama accepted the defeat from the hands a woman who was so dedicated to her husband. He granted all the three boons . It is believed that Satyavan spend his dying moments under a Banyan tree on the full moon day in month of Jyeshtha. During this day parikrama of banyan tree for 108 times tying thread is considered very auspicious for the longevity of husband.

Legend Of Karwa Chauth

Karwa Chauth is the most important festival for a Hindu married woman. This festival falls on 4^th day of Krishna Paksha of Kaartik month. For the longevity of her husband a tough fast is observed by women.   To begin the fast one has to wake up early in the morning and after bathing the food has to be consumed before the sun rise. This food is called as “sargi”(pre dawn meal). No food and water is consumed through out the day. The fast is broken only after offering water to the reflection of moon. There are many rituals and legends associated with this fasting. Every ritual has a special meaning. One must know it before keeping fast.This fast is dedicated to Savitri who was a sati ( total devotee to her husband). The legend associated with this fast is as follows-

Savitri was a beautiful daughter of a powerful king. All the efforts of the parents of choosing a bridegroom for Savitri went in vain. One day while roaming in forest Savitri fell in love with a poor young man,Satyavan. Despite opposition she chose  Satyavan as her husband. She even ignored the warning of an astrologer that Satyavan had a very short life span and he would going to die within one year of marriage. Still Savitri was adamant on her decision.. They got married. Exactly after one year , Satyavan fainted in forest and died.Savitri saw Yamraj, the god of death came to take away the soul of Satyavan to his kingdom. Savitri was determined and followed Yamraj to his kingdom. This was against the law of nature. So Yamraj granted three wishes to Savitri. As a first wish she asked the restoration of the lost kingdom of her father in law. In lieu of second wish she asked for the  eyes for her blind parents in law. The two wishes were too easy for Yamraj to fulfill. But the real dilemma occurred when Savitri demanded third wish. She demanded to become mother of a virtuous sons. Since Savitri was a sati , so without a husband it was not possible as she can not marry second time. Yamraj was in a fix. Yamaraj had to spare the life of Satyavaan in order to keep his words. This was the power of  true devotion of a wife towards her husband.