Word

Savitri

Sanskrit

सावित्री

IAST

sāvitrī

In General

Savitri is a goddess. Savitur, Gayatri are same deity. The story of savitri told in purana as an example of love, affection and conjugal fidelity

Veda

The philosophical aspect of the story of Savitri is best told by Sri Aurobindo in this epic poem Savitri.

Purana

King Aswapathi who do not have any children decided to do tapa in forest for 18 years as per the tradition. At the end of the tapa, the divine mother Gayatri appeared before him and gives him a boon that she would be born to him. The King went back to his kingdom and a daughter is duly born. This child is named as savitri. The divine child grow with all the good qualities. As time passed she met Satyavan in forest and fell in love. Satyavan was a prince driven out of his country. The father Aswapathi obliged to accept her choice of a groom. But the celestial sage Narada came to the palace gave her a warning that her groom would die in 12 month. Savitri was in no mood to change her decision and married her loved heart, Satyavan. To ward of the misfortune she did intense tapa prayers and fasting. The fateful day arrived and Yama came to take the soul of Satyavan. Savitri followed him. Yama did not liked it very much. With the strength of her penance she even crossed the Vaitarani, the river separating heaven from earth. Yama was surprised and advised her to go back. But she argued with all the emotional feelings and logic. Yama admired her devotion love, skill of logical arguments and gives her several boons one of which is to return her husband to life.