Friday, August 1, 2014

523. Brother-Sister Relationship grows stronger with Nag Panchami.....

http://www.speakingtree.in/public/spiritual-blogs/seekers/faith-and-rituals/brothersister-relationship-grows-stronger-with-nag-panchami




Celebrated on the fifth day of the Hindu calendar month of Shravana is Nag Panchami the day dedicated to Snake god. On this day women take oil head bath and perform pooja to a snake carved out of stone or go to an ant hill where the snake has inhabited and offer obeisance to it. But I feel that the essence of this festival is forgotten but the practice of pouring milk into the anthill is observed. The focus should have been on the relationship between the brother and sister which is the significance of this festival. Instead of nurturing the inhuman activities of pouring milk to anthill and instigating snake catchers to catch hold the hundreds of snakes and defang them in a most cruel way for the devout to worship in the name of tradition.

What does the tradition say??? it says to revere the snake and not to harm it and cause problem for its peaceful existence. Snakes are good friends to farmer they would not let the rats eat away the crops.


Women offer milk, cotton garland, turmeric powder, vermillion, flowers and soaked till seeds and sugar to the stone image of a snake that is ok, the same should not be done to the anthill. Anthills are places where snakes take shelter, would it be comfortable if our shelter is splashed with milk and sticky sugar syrup.

On this day a very few ignorants pour milk in the anthill, while some women pray for the well being and for the prosperity of their brothers. Some even observe fast on this day for the sake of their brothers. They strongly believe that by doing so, brothers are protected from all kinds of dangers and troubles. Brothers in turn lavish their sisters with beautiful gifts. This festival also strengthens the bond of love and affection between sisters and brothers.

Why was the worship of Snakes traditionally made relevant to strengthen the Brother-Sister Relationship?? I do not know but I think the ancient seers could have visualized the DNA double helix structure which resembles the Cosmic Serpent and made it a symbol for the relationship. Amazingly science also agrees that I share my DNA with my sister and not my wife.

It is said that one can choose friends but not relatives. As relatives are not chosen but they happen, but then there is a twist to this statement. In any relationship we can always choose to be friends with our relatives also and most suited for this is the Brother-Sister relationship. This is a very complex relationship which includes in it an amalgamation of compassion, competition, benevolence, and jealousy. All these emotions overlaying each other and hence the parents are usually sandwiched and do not often realize what is happening. They are amazed and unable to comprehend how when the two fight each other, in a short time will get together to fight with parents. It is a unique relationship which lasts for a long period and should last for a long period.

Nag Panchami is one such festivals which bring the siblings together, even if the sister is been married and is with her in-laws and make them remember those funny events when they spent together. 

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