In many parts of India, the fifth day of the Diwali festival is called as Bhai Beej that celebrates the unique relationship shared by a brother and his sister. On this day brothers treated to lavish feasts by their sisters. On this day, the sisters worship berry trees and wish welfare for their brothers, offer them sweets and apply tilak on their forehead.
Meaning and Significance
The majority of Hindu festivals and rituals put stress on the significance of family bonding and relationships. Although every relationship possesses its own value, but the brother-sister relationship is quite unique and unmatched. Hindu culture has manifested the greatness and glory of this relationship in many forms, out of which Bhai Beej festival is an eminent form. This auspicious occasion also reveals the importance of siblings in someone's life.
On Bhai beej, every brother visits his sister who performs aarti, wishes him a long & healthy life and offers him sweets with warmth. Brother in exchange offers a present as a token of love & affection. The sister asks the Lord for the well-being of her brother, who is her Protector.
The Legend Of Lord Vishnu
According to this legend, when Lord Vamadev was pleased with Bali maharaj and appeared in Vishnu-rupa, Bali asked a boon that Lord Vishnu would be on every door at Patalaloka. Vishnu agrees and goes to become a Dwarpalaka of Bali. When Goddess Lakshmi heard this news by Narad, she was in great distressed. Laxmi plays trick on Bali in order to make her husband return back to his original place. She went to Bali as a poor woman seeking help. She says that she doesn't have a brother and would dearly like one. Then Bali accepted her as his sister and told her to ask anything that she need. Then Laxmi replied that you have my everything in your service - please release Lord Vishnu. Thus, Lord Vishnu was released from the service of Bali.
|
|
 |
The Legend Of Yamaraj and Yamuna
According to Veda, Yamraj-God of dead is the son of Vivasvat. He had twin sisters named Yami or Yamuna. Yami, Yama’s twin sister, was transformed into the sacred river Yamuna in whose purifying waters people bathe on holy days. Yama was given an equally important role and made the god of Death, whom all fear. On Bhai beej day, Yami or Yamaraja was called to his sister’s home Yamuna, where she offered Aarti and a small gift for her brother.
Yama then told her that on this day brothers would be invited to their sisters’ home and in return the brother would bring a gift for his sister. Until today this tradition is maintained with great love. As Yama's sister is Yamuna and she fed Yama to his satisfaction he said that from now on any brother who visits the sister on Bhai Dhuj day will escape the hand of Yamaraj - the sister prays for her brother.
The Legend Of Lord Krishna
According to the legend, on the auspicious day of Bhai Dooj Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister Subhadra where she welcomes her brother with the lamp, sweets, flowers, etc and put the holy protective tilak on his forehead. Keeping this legend in mind, people celebrate the festival of Bhai Dooj with great enthusiasm and fervor.
|
