Tihar: Bhai Tika, celebrating sister-and brotherhood
YamaRaj - the God of Death is praised:
O brother of yamuna, Dharmaraj I bow to you. Oh son of the sun! Protect me. You are kind to the honest and feared by the dishonest. You diminish the proud. You’re the death of death. I bow to thee!
Though I have committed many sins I am your devotee. So, forgive me.
The Kartik sukla Dwitiya is celebrated as the auspicious day of Bhai Tika wishing all the brothers a happy, healthy and prosperous life.
The worshipping of crows, Dogs, Cow, Yamaraj and Laxmi in Tihar is a metaphorical representation but the worshipping Brothers is one of the practical aspect of social harmony preached by the Hindu philosophy.
On this day sisters worship their brothers by putting five-colour Tika on their forehead and garlanding them with velvet flowers, wishing them longevity and good health.
Once a sister was worshipping her brother. But yamaraj came to take him cause his life was at the end. The sister prayed Yamaraj and asked him for a boon to grant the life of her brother till the oil on the ground of the puja Mandap the velvet garland and the pimple – a fruit dries and the water washes walnut. Yamaraj granted all the wishes and the brother got the longevity.
Till date velvet flower garland, pimple fruit, and walnuts are offered to the brothers along with various fruits and delicious sweets and Sel – a special sweet made for Tihar. Brothers offer presents in return.
Brothers, who have no sister and sisters, who have no brothers visit the Mahadev temple in the middle of Ranipokhari pond, in Kathmandu this day.
The worshipping of yamaraj – the God of death reminds all that one who is born has to die. One should not forget invincible death.
People worship Laxmi cause without money one cannot live a comfortable life.
And Mha-puja - the Self is worshipped as God - Aham Brahmhasmi.
In the social interpretation Bhai Tika symbolises sister and brotherhood.
Practical and the spiritual blends are deeply rooted in our society. Each of our festivals has spiritul, traditional and culture values.
