The story of the couple Satyavan and Savitri speaks the power of persistence and belief. The story is associated with a fasting ritual called "Karadayan Nonbu" in Tamil. Today, marks the transition of Tamil month Masi to Panguni and people celebrate it as "Karadayan Nonbu". Eager to know the story behind it!! Continue reading below..
King Ashvapati had no children and prayed towards Sun God "Savitr" (another name for Sun God) to bless him with a progeny for his lineage (a son). Soon his prayer was answered and he was blessed with a daughter. He named her "Savitri".
Savitri was very wise and beautiful. When she attained marriage age, her father asked her to choose her husband. She went in search out to woods and found Satyavan serving his parents with utmost dedication. Even before she knew that Satyavan was a Prince with his parents being thrown out of their kingdom, she fell in love with him and decided to marry him. Satyavan's parents & Satyavan also accepted her proposal. On her way back to her kingdom, Narada told her that Satyavan has limited lifespan of one year from now and it would be better if she change her mind about the marriage. Savitri did not pay importance to Narada's words and replied that she has decided to spend her life serving Satyavan and his parents.
Later, she went and informed her father Ashvapati about her choice of Satyavan and he consented to it as well. Narada again came to his father and briefed him about Satyavan's lifespan. The news made Ashvapari worrisome and he talked to his daughter and told not to marry Satyavan. But Savitri was persistent in her decision and replied the same way as she did to Narada.
Soon the marriage of Satyavan and Savitri took place and Savitri accompanied her husband and in-laws to the forest.
When she knew that Satyavan's lifespan is going to end, three days before the destined death date, she started her fasting and prayer. Though her in-laws were hesitant initially, later they supported her vratam (fasting). On the destined day, she decided to accompany Satyavan wherever he go. Satyavan went to the forest to cut trees and Savitri accompanied him. Suddenly, Satyavan felt dizzy and fell down. Savitri knew that he is going to die, laid him to her lap. Satyavan died the very next moment. Savitri could see that Lord YamaDharma is approaching Satyavan's body with a rope. She went towards him and bowed down.
At first YamaDharma was surprised to know that he was recognized by a human. Because, YamaDharma cannot be perceived through human eyes. He enquired about her and she being a Pativrata (noble wife), begged and prayed to Him to give back life to her husband, so that they can live together and serve their parents. But YamaDharma denied saying its impossible for him to give life back to a mortal and also it is against nature laws. Savitri kept on saying verses from literature in praise of belief, obedience and noble conduct and presented her request again. YamaDharma pleased with her approach and her choice of marrying Satyavan even after knowing his limited lifespan, offered her 3 boons to make except the life of Satyavan.
Wise Savitri proceeded asking him, "May my in-laws be blessed with eye vision and kingdom they lost! May my parents are blessed with hundred sons to continue their lineage! May I be blessed with hundred sons as well!"
YamaDharma replied, "Dadastu (Done)" and later realized the trick in her boon, that she wanted hundred sons for herself, which would mean Satyavan to be alive.
YamaDharma then replied her that he was impressed with her persistence and Pativratvam (noble chastity) and he would give life back to Satyavan. Savitri paid her obeisance to YamaDharma and was happy to see his husband waking up from his drowsy state. On return to her in-laws, she was happy to see them with eye vision and a news that they got their kingdom back.
People in South India (especially Tamil Nadu) observe this time of the year (when the month transition from Masi to Panguni) as "Karadayan Nonbu", the same way as Savitri did her 3 days pooja and fasting. They make sweet adai made of rice and offer it to Goddess Shakti, Durga or Ambal and draw inspiration from Savitri's belief and persistence. Married women pray for their husband's long life and unmarried women pray for a good devoted husband.
