[a] She was the granddaughter of Swami Shraddhanand, and the daughter of advocate Dhani Ram and Ved Kumari.
Aruna Asaf Ali credits Satyavati with motivating her to join the nationalist movement.
[4] While at jail, despite being very ill, she refused to give a bond of good behaviour and assurance that she would desist from political activity, that could have secured her release and hope for treatment.
Jailed women political freedom fighters composed poems and nationalist tracts, which were smuggled out and published.
One of the pieces written by Satyavati Devi, titled ‘Bahin Satyavati Ka Jail Sandesh’ (Sister Satyavati's Prison Message) goes as follows:[6] This is a message from your jailed sister Sister Satyavati appeals to you Do not slacken from your work Jump, if required, into the burning flames The sacred battle should be full of strength Once you have stepped forward, never retreat Die before the men in the battlefield Do not fear bullets or sticks Put your head forward before the men Once lit, the fire should never go out I have full faith now Because the women have prepared themselves[b] This and other writings and prison songs seemed to be aimed at motivating and mobilising women to enter India's independence movement.