2rd June, 2015 is vat poornima which is a celebration observed in the Western India. Purnima means "full moon" and is celebrated on the full moon day (the
15th) of the month of Jyeshtha on the Hindu calendar, which falls in June on the Gregorian calendar. Women pray for the
prosperity and longevity of their husbands by tying threads around a banyan tree or waṭ,
which is called "pipal puja", on this day. It honours Savitri, the legendary wife who rescued her husband's soul
from the ruler of the departed, Yama.
I did Wat pooja in the morning and went for
work. Everyone around me in office, society was surprised that I am still
following the ritual. It made me think, is it really regressive or just a
ritual without glamour. To be honest, before marriage it all seemed foolish to
take rounds of a tree to save your husbands life. Oh common, how is it possible
to save anyone. Plus there was no one around me who followed it and could
actually tell the real story.
That’s when I started to ask questions as to
why should new age career women should follow this? What is the real essence of
the ritual?
Let me tell you my interpretation of the
story.
1.
It is
story of Savitri and Satyavan. Savitri married woodcutter Satyavan against her
dad’s wish. It means it was love marriage. Pretty modern right?. Basically, she was ready to leave all the wealthy
pleasure for love. She was strong lady who could take decisions on her
own.
2.
At the time when yama was taking away her husband, she
followed yama to the end. She was determined to get the life of her husband
back. It was very gutsy move on the her part.
3.
At the end, when yama granted her 3 wishes, one of her wish
was to be mother of satyavan’s son. This was not possible as he was dead. Yama
realized that savitri has outwitted him. Eventually, granted her wish.
I think savitri
represents free spirited, strong woman. We should celebrate it.
Hope you do the pooja next
year.
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