CHHATHI MAIYAA

CHHATHI MAIYAA

The sun is the lively god, which is the prime source of energy and life on the earth. The first man of the earth might have seen the sun. Seeing it the day maker by light, lifesaver by heat he would have started worshipping him. The festival Chhath is associated with lord Ram. When he returned from forest after conquering Lanka, after 14 years, Maa Sita and Ram, kept fast and worshipped lord sun. Since then, we are celebrating the festival.

                         The sun is the first creation in the universe. From sun all things were created. The sun is called the eye of the world. Every creature gets knowledge from him. After sun rise, every creature awakes and starts to work. From the very sun, we are able to perform our duty. The sun is called the soul of the world- ‘सूर्य आत्मा जगतस्तस्थुखश्च’. In the shaastras, the sun is called ‘Savitaa’ which means creator. The science also believes that the sun is the very origin of the creation. Mahaabharat says “ त्वं भानो जगतश्चक्षुस्त्वमात्मा सर्वदेहीनान्. त्वं योनिः सर्वभूतानां त्वमाचारः क्रियावतां.. त्वं गतिः सर्वसांख्यानां योगिनां त्वं परायणं. अनावृतार्गल द्वारं त्वं गतिस्त्वं मुमुक्षतां.. त्वया संधार्यते लोकास्त्वया लोकः प्रकाश्यते. त्वया पवित्रीक्रियते निर्व्याजं पाल्यते त्वया..—(वनपर्व 3/36-38).  “ हे सूर्य देव! आप सम्पूर्ण जगत के नेत्र तथा समस्त प्राणियों की आत्मा हैं. आप ही सब जीवों के उत्पत्ति-स्थान और कर्मानुष्ठान में लगे हुए पुरुषों के सदाचार (के प्रेरक) हैं.” “सम्पूर्ण सांख्ययोगियों के प्राप्तव्य स्थान भी आप ही हैं. आप ही सर्व कर्मयोगियों के आश्रय हैं. आप ही मोक्ष के उन्मुक्त द्वार हैं और आप ही मुमुक्षुओं की गति हैं.” “ आप ही संपूर्ण जगत को धारण करते हैं. आप से ही यह लोक प्रकाशित होता है. आप ही इसे पवित्र करते हैं और आपके ही द्वारा निःस्वार्थ भाव से इसका पालन किया जाता है.”    ‘Suryopaasanaa’ (worshiping sun) is being done from the very Vaidik period. Actually, the festival is to worship the god sun, but the female form Chhathi Maiyaa may be indicating his rays. Some people believe that Chhathi Maiyaa is the younger sister of The Sun. The sun and its rays may be treated identical like the fire and its heat. The fire without heat is only ash. Shiv without “eekaar= energy= Shati, Gauri” is only shav (dead body).

                           Worshipping this festival is to pray the nature by natural resources. The purity is given prime importance. Fruits (banana, guava etc), sugarcane, thakua (made of flour mixed with gur, the unrefined sugar obtained from raw, concentrated sugarcane juice= jaggery). Kheer made of gur (jaggery) is prepared by pabnaitin (the woman worshipper). The sun is the source of energy on the earth. The water is also of prime importance. Natural materials are our prime food. Hence, standing in water with natural materials in hands and worshiping the live god sun are the main theme to offer our salutation to the life-saver god. No other method of showing gratitude of the prime life-saver can be better than this.

                The festival may be symbolized to give importance to the female character. Hence, Chhathi Maiya (Not the sun itself) is worshiped. This is the only festival when people pray for a daughter (not son) and a qualified son-in-law (Runakee-jhunakee betee chaahee, padhal panditwaa damaad).

                    People have faith that all diseases can be cured by worshipping the sun. The result is also according to the faith. Purity, sanitation and faith are taught in this festival. The festival may be treated as to show gratefulness to the nature.   

Bhratridwiteeya in Mithila

The festival of Bhratridwiteeyaa is celebrated between brothers and sisters mainly in Mithila region (Northern India). It is celebrated on Dwiteeyaa tithi (2^nd day after Diwalee, Amaavashyaa). This is similar to Rakshaabandhan, celebrated in another community. Brothers come to their sisters' home to have ‘Nyot= न्योत=Invitation' . Sisters remain in fast till the celebration. Sisters make rangoli (Art drawn on earth by wet grinded rice) on the floor. Brothers sit on the rangoli art wooden seat. The tilak (Red lead drawn on the forehead) is drawn on the forehead of the brother. Sisters give beetle leafs, nuts, pithar (wet powdered ground  rice) in the hands of the brothers and wash with water in the brass dish three times reciting some mantras –‘Jamunaa notalani Yam ke, ham notai chhee bhaay ke. Jahina Ganga Jamuna ke badhi badhay tahinaa hamaraa bhaiya ke auradaa badhay’. Jamuna invited her brother Yam, I invite my brother. May my brother live long like the rising flood of the Ganges and Yamuna’.

                         I remember my childhood days of my village. Every brother used to go to his sister home. I had only one sister at Maltole, Madhubani. Now she is no more. I used to go there without fail, every year. In the village the festival was very charming. Those days, there used to be common ‘Daalaan (Sitting place of guests and outsiders where male members used to take rest). So many brothers from different villages gathered on the daalaan. We enjoyed this occasion too much.

                 Now a day, brothers have become busy. They have no time for these rituals. Sisters are also residing in distant towns. Naturally, the festival is being paid less attention; thus, deteriorating the affection between brothers and sisters.    

Bhay (fear)

“Nainan chhindanti shastraani, nainan dahati paawakah.

   Nachainan kledayantyaapo, na shoshayati maarutah.” No weapon can cut it, fire cannot burn it, water cannot wet it and wind cannot dry it. Then, where the room for fear is. Fear is nothing but a false concept. Sometimes, I become so afraid that I surrender myself before the very weak enemy whom I can conquer easily in moral boosting position. It means, mind is the main thing. When mind is weak (in depressed state), one can be defeated by a very tiny object. In morally high position (morally elevated), one can defeat the enemy who is much stronger.

                     ‘Taavad bhayasya bhetavyam, yaavad bhay nanaagatah.

                       AAgatan tu bhayan veekshya, preeti kuryat yathochitam’. We should be afraid from the fear until it has not come. Seeing the fear present, one should deal it properly.

             Sometimes, I find myself surrounded by fearful things. I sit calmly for few minutes and find easy solution. I meditate on my deity and the thing of fear disappears in a moment. Fear is nothing but a false concept.

BEAUTY

There is one proverb ‘Marriages are arranged in heaven’. This is hundred percent true. Our boys wander hither and thither in search of beautiful girl. They search only facial beauty. The real beauty is internal. The internal beauty is truthfulness, kindness, politeness etc. Of course, the health should be sound and face not ugly in a girl while choosing for marriage. But thinking spiritually, these are also not of so much important as internal beauty.

SENSE OF HUMOUR

It is a great gift of God. We all should have this in full swing. Everybody has some worldly problems. But, no body is to do anything with your predicaments. Then, why should I always remember them and always remain gloomy in their memories. ‘Rahiman nij man kee vyathaa manahee raakho goy; Suni athilaihen logsab baanti na laihen koy.’ Humour is a tonic to be taken by everyone daily. When I sit with my friends and start to laugh, I forget all anxieties. Anxiety is the root of all diseases. This tonic makes us healthier and gives us long life. Now, tell me whether it is a tonic/ medicine or not.

                       Humorous persons make more friends. They share their problems with their friends and get proper solution. Thus their anxieties are lowered.

                    Bold persons have much humour. Perversely, humorous persons are bolder. Boldness comes by one’s expertise in any field. It means, humorous persons have more proficiency. Dull cannot be bold and can’t have more humor.

            Thus, we can conclude that humour gives us energy to have long life.