Religion is a constellation of culture, system and beliefs which explains the cause, nature and purpose of the universe. It is also a guiding principle to run the society and life in meaningful way. It is obvious to have different schools of religion in the universe as there exists different faiths like Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and so on. Though they are different in the name, all religions are connected to the same ultimate goal that is no other than wellbeing of all the creatures of the universe.
Among them, Hinduism has been considered as the oldest school of religion in the world. Hinduism is the principal religion of the Indian sub-continent, particularly in India and Nepal. It consists of intellectual or philosophical point of view, rather than common beliefs. Hindu mythology is a huge constellation of narratives like epics, purans and Vedas, mostly written in Sanskrit language. Swosthani Brata Katha is one of the sacred scriptures of Hindus. It is an indubitable mosaic of eternal wisdom shedding light on the morality of human life, both in spiritual and physical dimension. It is suggested to go through Swosthani Brata Katha to be aware of practical part of the life along with higher truths of philosophy.
Nepalese people firmly believe that reciting and listening to Swosthani Brata Katha helps them in keeping away all evil spirits and things from their home. At the same time, in the wake of people and the world being more mechanical and materialistic, we are forgetting the insight values and self awareness of our life. In order to make people aware about these fundamentals, Swostahni Brata Katha should be recited and listened by people in each house during the specific month of the year.
Swosthani Brata Katha begins on the full moon day called Mila Punhi (mid January) and ends on the next full moon day called Si Punhi (mid February). Hindu devotees including women observe fasting for the entire month taking one meal in a day. Some devotees take fasting on the beginning day and concluding day. They believe that such devotion pleases Goddess Swosthani and accomplishes all the wishes. Hindu married women take fasting for the wellbeing of their husbands and sons and un married women to get ideal husband. To elucidate scientifically, fasting cleanses our body toxins and forces cell into process. Sali river, the sacred river in Sankhu , mentioned in the Swosthani Brata Katha is a prime holy location of devotees during this Swosthani Brata period. Devotees throng to this river through out the month.
Swosthani Brata Katha roams around on the devotees who conduct sins because of their ignorance and later being rescued by Goddess Swosthani. The main focuses of the story are Lord Shiva and Goddess Parbati. Swosthani Brata Katha has thirty-one chapters. Generally, each chapter is recited on each day of the month. Before and after the recitation of the story, sacred hymns are to be performed with worship to Goddess Swosthani.
First few chapters of the story are on the creation of the universe, battle between God and demons, suffering of Sati Devi, the first wife of Lord Shiva. The Hindu belief of rebirth or reincarnation is also reflected in the story. After the death of Sati Devi, she was born as Parbati, the daughter of king Himalaya. Parbati, who was a diehard devotee of Shiva since her childhood, got married with Shiva because of her profound devotion to Goddess Swosthani. The story also explains on punitiveness, that is, any body committing unjustly act can not be escaped of punishment. Lord Vishnu, who did some tricky acts because of some reasons, had to face the curse of Jalandhar’s wife Brinda. It also shows that even God is not exempted of punishment.
In the middle part of the story, there is an interesting scenario on how respectful the parents are. As the story goes, once, Shiva and Parbati told their sons Kumar and Ganesh that it is time to give boon to one person who comes first after making round of Sumeru parbat, the central world mountain. Kumar, having peacock as his steed (transporter), departed immediately to get the boon. But poor Ganesh was extremely discouraged, as his steed was a rat. Seeing Ganesh in a worried mood, the rat advised his master Ganesh to take three rounds of the parents and prostrate at their feet and tell them you are my Sumeru. Ganesh followed his steed’s advice. Shiva and Parbati, who felt very happy with Ganesh’s act, granted the boon that Ganesh will be offered the first offering by humans before offering other deities. So, this was the main reason we worship Ganesh before worshipping other deities.
When Kumar came back after making the round of Sumeru and saw the boon was already given to Ganesh, he made emotional appeal to Shiva and Parbati for the boon. As the boon was already granted to Ganesh, Shiva and Parbati could not take back. But Kumar was given another boon that he will receive first offering than Ganesh, which will not be a full offering, rather half offering. That is the reason we make small offering to Kumar, who sits at the main entrance of each house in the form of eight petal lotus carved stone (Pikhalakhu). Newah community still follow this tradition.
The last part of the story is about Gomaya, her son Nabaraj and daughter in law Chandrabati. Nabaraj, who was in the city to watch king selecting ceremony, luckily chosen as a king by an elephant. Chandrawati, Nabaraj’s wife, who became so arrogant because of her husband’s designation as the king, refused the food and flower blessing of Goddess Swosthani brought by her porters. On the way to the city, when the porters were crossing swollen Sali river with Chandrwati on the palanquin, slipped and fell down. Chandrawati was swept away to other side and suffered a lot for long time and became victim of leprosy too. But because of the advice given by passer by devotees, she started worshipping Goddess Swosthani and conducted the Brata Katha. Soon after completion of Brata Katha, she revived all her strengths including her beauty. After that she was reunited with her family. This section tells us that if we confess our misdeeds to the Almighty and became true devotee, God will excuse us and makes our life smooth and happy. So, the message of Swosthani Brata katha is to reveal the harmony and identity of soul with God and the nature.
Religion and culture being deep rooted in our heart, some Nepali families along with Nepalese community temples in Greater Toronto Area still recite the Swosthani Brat Katha every year in time honoured fashion. Let’s try to preserve our culture, tradition and religion.
Sources: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Siddhi Ranjit, Kathmandumetro.com
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