The theatre of religious rituals and observations are a dramatic representation of a morality tale of virtue finally triumphing over adversities and faith winning the bliss of everlasting love and happiness. ‘Sabitri brata’ is an episode in that fight of the triumph of love over death, and the eternal fruit of husbandly affection
and togetherness, writes Himanshu Sekhar Guru
There could never be a fate so cruel as death
That could wrestle with love and faith.
Orissa’s culture and tradition is rich in many ways. The depth of literary and cultural products of the Oriya people is a great insight into the characteristics of the tradition of the linguistic community. Its festivals and the character of religious rituals, too, offer a great insight into the fundamental nature of the people of the state and their culture. Among festivals ‘Savitri brata’ is one related to conjugal relationships. Married Hindu women of the state observe a fast on the day for the general welfare of their husbands. The day falls on an ‘Amabashya’ day in the Hindu month of Jyestha.
Conjugal relationship, its essence and role in society, has been a subject of perennial discussion in the Indian classics; hence the Upanishadic classification of the stages of human life from innocence to a domestic being to a sanyasi. And the issues related to conjugal happiness and bliss as well as tension and strife are part and parcel of the picture of human social life. Even in a peaceful state like Orissa we daily come across reports of episodes related to familial strife, torture cases, dowry-related deaths, etc. However, it is essential to mention that the festivals are linked to society in such a way as to deal, collectively, with the problems that people face in daily life. When it comes to sustaining a conjugal relationship, ‘Savitri brata’ has a positive role to play.
As per the mythological literature related to the observance of the festival, married women observe a fast on the day and worship Goddess Savitri who would help her get back her husband from the clutches of the God of Death, Yama. This establishes that the ‘brata’ is observed for the long life of husbands.
Stuff of Legend
The ‘brata’ is named after Savitri who was the beautiful daughter of King Aswapati of Madra Desa. When she attained the age of marriage, many proposals came. Her father arranged a ‘Swayambar’ to allow her daughter to choose a perfect life partner. But before that happened she had already had selected Satyavan as her life partner, a prince in exile who was living in the forest with his blind father Dyumatsen. Knowing Satyavan is her destiny, her parents allowed her to marry Satyavan.
The princess started living in the forest with her husband and father- and mother-in-law. She had the information (from Debarshee Narada) that her husband’s lifespan was only a yearlong from the date of marriage. Accordingly on the day, she requested her hubby to take her along to the dark forest to collect wood for fuel. While cutting wood in the jungle, Satyavan’s head started reeling and he fell down from a tree. Then Yamraj, God of Death, appeared to take away Satyavan’s soul. Deeply hurt, Savitri pleaded Yamraj not to be separated from her husband. But Yamraj explained that her husband’s actual lifespan had come to an end. But Savitri managed to trick the God of Death with her virginity and devotion into restoring to Satyavan his life and to Savitri her husband. Savitri also managed to earn bliss by which her father- and mother-in-law got back their vision as well as lost kingdom.
The Last Wish
The last wish of Savitri to Yama as described in the Savitri bratakatha is an interesting episode. It is also the basic element of the ‘brata’. Till now, Savitri has already earned the blessing of vision and kingdom for her in-laws. The God of Death asked Savitri to convey her final wish to which she said, “I wish to have children, and to see their children grow” and the God granted it. Soon, Yama was about to finally go on his way with the soul of Satyavan when Savitri called him back and asked, “Yama you are God of Truth as well as God of Death. How can a Hindu woman like me have children without a living husband? I am a chaste woman of immaculate moral principles, and can only marry once. You are taking away my husband, the father of my children-to-be.” Yama analysed the argument and found it true and had to return her husband’s soul.
Observation
Women take a purifying bath early in the morning, and put on new clothes and jewellery; apply vermilion on the forehead. Nine types of fruits and nine types of flowers are offered to the Goddess. Wet pulses, rice, mango, jackfruit, palm fruit, kendu, banana and several other fruits are offered as ‘bhoga’ (offerings). A Brahmin is invited to read out the Savitri bratakatha. After the fast for the whole day women survive only on the offerings to the Goddess. In the afternoon, when the formalities of worship are over, they bow before their respective husbands.
Scientific Angle
The mythological prescriptions of most of the Hindu festivals are set keeping in view certain scientific reasons. In summer, the state of Orissa witnesses high temperatures, and to face this heatwave one needs to eat nutritious food rich in multi-vitamins. Thus, as a prescription of the ‘brata’, women eat nine types of fresh fruits after the celebration. Without their knowledge, this keeps them healthy and away from sickness.
Cultural Melting Pot
Though ‘Savitri brata’ is observed by Oriya women, non-Oriyas living in the state also are seen observing the occasion. Especially, Bihari women are spotted observing the ‘brata’ on the same day for the same wish. However, while Oriya women together prepare a paste of turmeric and make a tiny idol of Savitri for worship, others are seen worshipping a tree.