Vrat Vidhi :
The Brahma Savitri Vrat begins on Jyeshtha Shukla Ekadashi (11th day of the bright half of the Jyeshtha month) and ends on Purnima (full moon day). Many women also begin this vrat on Jyeshtha Shukla Trayodashi (13th day). On the first day, under the banyan (Vat) tree, the woman should take a vow (sankalp) as follows:
"I am undertaking the Brahma Savitri Vrat for the happiness, prosperity, and unbroken marital bliss of my family. May I receive the complete benefit of this vrat."
During the vrat period, one should observe a fruit-only fast (phalahar). Worship the banyan tree with abir (colored powder), gulal, kumkum with rice (kumkum-chokha), and flowers. Offer water to the tree.
Then, take a sacred cotton thread and wrap it around the trunk of the banyan tree 108 times, doing pradakshina (circumambulation).
While doing so, recite the mantra:
"Namo Vaivasvataya"
Also pray for your husband’s long and healthy life. While offering water to the banyan tree, recite this prayer in Sanskrit:
"वट सिंचामि ते मूलं सलिलैरमृतोपमैः।
यथा शाखाप्रशाखाभिर्वृद्धोऽसि त्वं महीतले।
तथा पुत्रैश्च पौत्रैश्च सम्पन्नं कुरु मां सदा।।"
Meaning:
"As I water your roots with nectar-like water, may you flourish on this earth with branches and sub-branches. Likewise, bless me to always be fulfilled with sons and grandsons."
Throughout the vrat days, it is auspicious to listen to or read the story of Sati Savitri.
When the vrat ends, one should apply kumkum tilak to married women (saubhagyavati strees) and only eat after doing so.
Vrat Katha:
Many years ago, there was a king named Ashwapati. He had a queen named Vaishali. The king and queen were generous and kind-hearted. They were happy in every way, except they were childless.
One day, a sage came to their palace. Seeing the sorrow of the king and queen, he felt compassion for them. He advised them to observe the vrata (vow) of Goddess Savitri to break the curse of childlessness. The king and queen began performing the vrat of Savitri Devi. After some time, the goddess was pleased with their devotion.
The king and queen said, “O Mother, we are happy in every way, but we do not have a child.”
The goddess said, “In your destiny, there is not a son, but a daughter. That daughter will be virtuous and devoted, and she will bring glory to your name.” Saying this, the goddess disappeared.
After nine months, Queen Vaishali gave birth to a daughter. Considering her as the blessing of Goddess Savitri, the child was named Savitri.
As Savitri grew older, her beauty became more radiant with each passing night. The king and queen raised her lovingly. She was very beautiful and also inherited her parents’ noble values.
As time passed, the king and queen began to worry about her marriage. They sent messengers in all directions to find a suitable groom, but no one seemed worthy of Savitri. Finally, they allowed Savitri to choose her own husband.
Savitri chose Satyavan, the son of King Dyumatsena, who lived in a hermitage in the forest. When the king and queen heard of her choice, they were happy. At that time, Sage Narada visited them. The king and queen sought his advice.
Narada said, “O King, Satyavan is indeed a worthy match for your daughter in every way, but…”
The king and queen, concerned, asked, “But what, O Sage?”
Narada replied, “Satyavan’s life span is very short. He will only live for one more year.”
Hearing this, the king and queen were deeply saddened. They tried to convince their daughter to reconsider marrying Satyavan.
Savitri told her parents, “Whatever is destined will happen. You do not need to worry. I have decided to marry Satyavan, and I will not change my decision.”
Seeing Savitri’s determination, the king and queen remained silent.
With no other option, King Ashwapati went to King Dyumatsena’s hermitage and proposed the marriage. He said, “O King, I am King Ashwapati, and I wish to marry my daughter Savitri to your son Satyavan.”
King Dyumatsena replied, “How can I compare to you? I have lost my kingdom, and I live in the forest in this humble hermitage. Why do you wish to send your daughter into such hardship?”
Ashwapati said, “O King, my daughter wishes to marry your son. Do you have any objection?”
King Dyumatsena said, “Why would I object? I gladly agree to this marriage.”
As he stood up, being blind, he stumbled upon a water pot but was saved from falling. Satyavan came over and helped his father to sit down.
On an auspicious day, Ashwapati joyfully married Savitri to Satyavan. Though the king and queen appeared happy, they were deeply sorrowful inside, as they knew their daughter would become a widow within a year.
After marriage, Satyavan and Savitri lived happily together. They loved each other dearly. Ever since Savitri had heard from Narada about her husband’s short lifespan, she began worshipping Goddess Savitri with great devotion.
As time passed, the one year was nearly complete. The day of Satyavan’s death arrived. That morning, Satyavan was preparing to go into the forest to gather firewood. Savitri also got ready to accompany him.
In the forest, Satyavan saw a dry tree and began cutting it. After a while, he felt pain in his stomach and collapsed unconscious to the ground.
Savitri stood by his side. Seeing this scene, she began to cry and gently stroked Satyavan’s forehead.
Just then, a large man arrived riding a buffalo. Savitri asked, "Who are you? And why have you come here?"
The person who arrived was none other than Yamaraj himself. He replied, "I am Yamaraj, and your husband's life span has come to an end. I have come to take him with me."
Saying this, Yamaraj used the noose in his hand to pull out Satyavan’s soul from his body. Satyavan’s body became lifeless. The moment his life left him, Savitri was deeply shocked and heartbroken. Crying and trembling, she began to follow Yamaraj.
Yamaraj turned around and asked, "Why are you following me? What is written on the forehead (destiny) never turns false. Your husband’s fate does not have a long life. Forget everything and return."
Savitri replied, "Where my husband is, there I shall be. I cannot return. I have walked seven steps with you, which in our tradition forms a bond of friendship. So, as a friend, I plead — allow me to fulfill my duty as a devoted wife."
Yamaraj said, "Daughter, I tell you again, you may ask for any boon other than your husband's life, and I shall grant it. But you must now return."
Savitri said, "Please grant sight to my father-in-law so he may see again."
Yamaraj said, "So be it. Now you may go back."
Savitri said, "Returning is impossible for me. Where my husband is, there I belong — that is the dharma of a wife. Moreover, the company of the righteous is never in vain. Then how can your company go in vain?"
Yamaraj said, "Daughter, truly, you have enlightened me about dharma. I am pleased with you. Ask for any boon other than your husband’s life, and I shall happily grant it."
Savitri said, "You gave my father-in-law the ability to see, now kindly return his lost kingdom too."
Yamaraj said, "So be it. But the path ahead is tough, so now go back."
Savitri said, "You are the one who governs all beings with rules, and hence your name is Yama. Having compassion for all creatures and protecting those who seek refuge — this too is dharma. Now that I am at your door seeking shelter, will you not protect me?"
Yamaraj said, "Daughter, I am truly pleased with you. Ask for anything other than your husband’s life, and I shall give it."
Savitri said, "My parents do not have any sons. Please bless them with a hundred sons, so their lineage may continue."
Yamaraj said, "So be it."
And then he proceeded ahead, with Savitri still following behind.
Yamaraj asked, "Daughter, what else remains? Ask for what you desire."
Savitri said, "I want a hundred sons myself."
Yamaraj said, "So be it. Now return and let me go."
Savitri said, "You’ve blessed me with the boon of having a hundred sons, but how can a devoted wife like me have sons without her husband? Have you thought of that? So please return my husband to me."
Impressed by Savitri’s cleverness, Yamaraj was deeply moved. To fulfill the boons he had granted, he had no choice but to return Satyavan’s soul to her. He was bound by his own words.
Yamaraj said, "Daughter, I am very pleased with your devotion to your husband. I grant your husband life again and extend his lifespan to four hundred years. Go, take your husband with joy."
With blessings, Yamaraj departed.
Savitri went back to the place where her husband’s lifeless body lay and placed his head in her lap. Within a short while, Satyavan stirred and woke up.
Seeing Satyavan alive, Savitri’s eyes filled with tears. Satyavan shared the details of the dream-like experience he had. In return, Savitri told him the entire truth of what had happened.
Due to Yamaraj’s boons, Satyavan’s father regained his vision, his lost kingdom was restored, Savitri’s mother gave birth to a hundred sons, and Savitri herself became the mother of a hundred strong sons. Joy and celebration spread all around.
O Mother Savitri! Just as your devotion bore fruit and brought back Satyavan, may your vow and story bless all those who perform this vrata and listen to this tale.