Gauri Vrat - Five Days Fasting Festival For Girls And Ladies In Gujarat In Memory of The Eternal Love of Shiva-Paarvati

 

Aashaadhh - The Rainy Month of Festivals

The month of Aashaadhh, as per the Hindu (Lunar) calendar, falling in the rainy season, during the months of June-July, brings along festivals and celebrations.

On the second day of the Shukla Paksha (the fortnight from Amaavasya - New Moon to Poornima - Full Moon), called Dwitiya in Sanskrit and other Indian languages, or Dooj in Hindi (Beej in Gujarati), the Chariot Festival, called Ratha Yaatraa is celebrated. The idols of Shree Krishna as Lord Jagannath, along with those of sister Subhadra and elder brother Balaram or Balabhadra from the famous Jagannath Temple of Puri in Odisha are taken for a ride around the city in specially decorated chariots on this day. The Deities visit the Temples of their maternal relatives and return to their majestic Abode at the Jagannath Temple. Special Pooja and rituals take place and hymns and other artistic offerings are presented to Lord Jagannath with great enthusiasm and devotion, filling the atmosphere with joy, festivities and devotion. The traditions of these celebrations have spread beyond Odisha, into different places all across India and abroad, like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Kolkata, Dharmai (Bangladesh), different parts of the USA and so on.

Jagannath Rath Yatra ....

Gauri Vrat

When is Gauri Vrat celebrated ?

Eleven days after the Ratha Yaatraa Festival, on the Trayodashi or thirteenth day of the Shukla Paksha of the same month, a Five Days Fasting Festival called the Gauri Vrat is celebrated in Gujarat, in memory of the Eternal Love of Lord Shiva and Goddess Paarvati.

Little girls, sometimes as young as four or five years old girls very enthusiastically observe fasts for five days, perform pooja and enjoy the celebrations especially meant for them during the festival.

The Eternal Love Story of Shiva and Paarvati ....

Gauri or Gaur Maa ....

Gauri or Gaur Maa - another name of Maa Paarvati - is worshipped as Jawaaraa or saplings of (seven) grains grown in a small bamboo basket. The seven grains are - Paddy, Wheat, Barley, Sorghum, Bean, Pigeon Pea and Sesame. These grains, considered as auspicious, are sown in a tiny bamboo basket about seven days before the commencement of the festival in cow-dung manure and nurtured to grow into beautiful saplings.

How is Gaur Maa worshipped ?

The Gaur Maa is worshipped everyday in the morning and evening by lighting lamps and incense sticks and offering Kumkum, Abir, Gulaal, Turmeric Powder, flowers and other auspicious pooja material, singing songs and hymns while performing the Pooja and offering Prasaad.

Gauri or Gaur Maa ....

How are the fasts observed ?

During the Gauri Vrat the girls observe fasts, eating selected food, which does not contain salt.

Fruits, pure juices, dry fruits, milk and curd preparations, such as Shreekhand and other sweets can be taken.

During the first four days, once in a day, something prepared from wheat can be taken, such as roti or puri or pancakes or bhajia. Specially during these days, a salty green leafy vegetable is available which is allowed to be eaten along with the wheat meal.

On the last day, no wheat item or salty vegetable is allowed - only fruits and milk can be taken.

Little Girls enjoying their Prasaad with Gaur Maa ....

Jaagaran on the Fifth Day ....

On the last and fifth day, there is Jaagaran during night, which means the girls remain awake for the whole night. They play, sing and dance, go to nearby places like gardens, temples, etc.

Now a days, watching movies has become popular.

Video games, mobile games are also available to spend time.

Family members also remain awake with the girls and it turns out to be a great fun and merriment time.

Celebrations ....

Gauri Vrat is a festival of happiness. The girls decorate their hands with Mehndi, wear colourful clothes and jewelry, sing and dance, and play games, go to parks and gardens and so on ....

During Gauri Vrat days, special arrangements are made in the public places to ensure that the girls get to enjoy without hassles.

In gardens and parks and cinema halls, only girls and ladies are allowed.

Gardens, cinema halls, and other such places of entertainment and infotainment are kept open till late hours and all through the night on the Jaagaran day for them to enjoy without restrictions.

Special arrangements for free fruits, dry fruits, juices and sweets are made by various institutions and reputed families in the village / town / localities for the girls observing the Gauri Vrat fasts.

My mother tells about and sings special Garba and Folk songs on Gaur Maa. Now a days, we don't get to hear those songs ....

I could locate the video of an old song - Gaur Maa No Var Kesariyo Ne .... from the famous Gujarati film Sonbai Nee Chundadee, showing celebrations of Gauri Vrat in a village ....

Gaur Maa No Var Kesariyo ....

Singing and dancing ....

Bidding Farewell to Gaur Maa ....

The day after the Jaagaran day, that is on the sixth day, the Gaur Maa is given a festive farewell. The final pooja is performed. Traditionally, a group of all girls in a village or locality and their family members join together to form a farewell procession for their Gaur Maa to be taken to the nearby water source, like lake or river, with singing, dancing and merriments. Finally, in a ceremony called Visarjan, the Gaur Maa is reverentially immersed in the lake or river water.

After returning home, the girls are served special delicacies of their choice to open their fasts and return back to usual routine.

Gauri Pooja ....

Gauri Vrat Udyaapan Ceremony ....

The Gauri Vrat is done for minimum five and maximum any further odd number of years.

On the last year of the Gauri Vrat, special Udyaapan Ceremony (ritualistic ending of the Vrat) is performed, in which at least five or more odd number of girls doing Gauri Vrat are invited for opening their fasts. The girls are served delicious feast of their choice and given gifts as memories.

The Divine Couple - Shiva and Paarvati ....

The Jayaa Paarvati Vrat after Gauri Vrat ....

Grown up girls who are through with their Gauri Vrat, having performed the Udyaapan Ceremony, observe the Jayaa Paarvati Vrat.

The procedure is same, except that the Gaur Maa or Jawaaraa - the seven grain saplings are not grown.

The girls go every morning to the nearby Shiva Temple and worship Shiva and Paarvati there. They hear the Kathaa or the Tale of the Divine Love of Shiva and Paarvati at the temple.

After minimum five years or further any number of odd years, such as seven or nine or eleven years, the Udyaapan Ceremony of Jayaa Paarvati Vrat is celebrated in the same way as it is done for the Gauri Vrat.

Significance of Gauri Vrat ....

In the Hindu traditions, fasts are observed to develop the quality called Samyam (most closely translated to English as tolerance or patience or a combination of both).

The girls, and along with them their families get to learn family and social values through the example of Shiva and Paarvati. The Shiva family is an ideal family. Shiva is known as Mahadev - the God of Gods. Shiva is the first Guru - the Aadi Guru and the first Yogi - the Aadi Yogi. Paarvati is the manifestation of Aadyashakti - Mother of the Universe. Their elder son Kartikeya is the commander of the Army of Gods and younger son Ganesha is the God of Knowledge and Wisdom, the God of Beginnings, Leadership and Collectivity, the Remover of obstacles.

It is believed that the girls are blessed with success in their future family lives in the form of a life-partner of their dreams and choice and a happy marriage by observing the Gauri Vrat and the Jayaa Paarvati Vrat.

The Shiva Family ....

Guru Poornima ....

During Gauri Vrat, the third day is the Full Moon day - the Poornima - which is celebrated as Guru Poornima - a festival for expressing gratitude, reverence and devotion to the Guru - the (Spiritual) Mentor or Guide or Teacher, who imparts knowledge and dispels darkness of ignorance.

The Award : A Short Story

Vipraa came to know that Dr. Yashwant Patel – the well-known, veteran Gujarati writer-thinker-philosopher had received one of the highest Civilian Awards of the country. Wow !! Great !! Vipraa was acquainted to Dr. Patel. She had attended one of his lectures, more than three decades back and later got the opportunity to meet him. He was a renowned orator as well and Vipraa – a second year college student then, was impressed by his ability to hold the attention of his audience. How she had wished her professors would have at least a few percentage of that ability !! ….

The trail of other memories followed and she recalled her interactions with the renowned, as also controversial personality …. Yashwantbhai (that is what Dr. Yashwant Patel was addressed as) spoke with jesting nonchalance, with traces of pride in it – on all the opposition he was facing – all the letters that he was receiving against his writings ….

A Queer Comment ....

“Chhaayaa looks like a shelly cow ….” Yashwantbhai had commented about a common acquaintance, hearing which Vipraa was taken a back. The phrase “shelly cow” (called “vasuki gayeli gaay” in Gujarati) was new to Vipraa, but she could grasp the feel of what it meant. Later, she found out that it apparently means an old cow, usually in poor condition and found “useless” as she cannot be milked …. What Yashwantbhai said about Chhaayaa did not sound good at all. Not that Vipraa and Chhaayaa were great friends. Perhaps Yashwantbhai could know that they are too different to be friends. However, for some time, Vipraa and Chhaayaa were friends – if not good friends. At least that is what Vipraa thought. Chhaayaa was a professional and Vipraa was a college student then – more than three decades ago. They knew each other and had worked together for a couple of months, in a Youth Organization, to which Yashwantbhai was the mentor. Yashwantbhai, in his fifties then, enjoyed good influence on the founder of the Youth Organization, Rajiv, though behind his back, Rajiv openly and clearly expressed his reservations on Yashwantbhai’s “limitations” that Vipraa found difficult to understand. Rajiv was under some stress, perhaps, to maintain his hold on his group members. There were questions being raised on the vision and objectives as well as on the ways of functioning of the organization. Vipraa, a teenager at that time, could sense that there was something wrong somewhere and tried to see if there could be a change for good …. It couldn’t work. Perhaps she was too small, too simple, too naive …. Whatever !! Vipraa was sure of what she thought was right and good for herself. She distanced herself from the organization and its hassles, wishing and praying for the good of All …. Chhaayaa was close to Rajiv and perhaps had gone closer than what could be expected of a decent relationship …. Vipraa wondered as to how that was possible ??!! And if they are so close, why do they not get married ??!! ….

I am an anti-marriage person ….

And Yashwantbhai – he is known for his views against marriage. He himself told Vipraa that he is against marriage – “I am an anti-marriage person ….” Much later, Vipraa came to know that he had even initiated a campaign against marriage … !! ?? What for ? He himself is happily married !! His kids also got married later !! And as far as can be known – they are quite happy !! Still he spoke with such confidence and pride that he is anti-marriage – against marriage !! Why ??!! This is where Vipraa could not agree with Yashwantbhai. She never spoke to him about it directly. She treated Yashwantbhai with great respect – as a good writer and orator and an elderly renowned personality ….

How and why does such a great thinker and writer take pride in speaking against, even running a campaign against marriage – a relationship that is the basis of a healthy family life in a healthy, strong society …. !!??

Did he not give a thought to the option of understanding and talking about the essence of, the importance of, the dignity of that relationship …. Does he not owe anything of his achievements to his parents and their relationship; to his family life, to his marriage and to his wife …. ??!! ….

Before turning against any tradition, especially publicly, is it not wise to understand what it stands for, what are the misconceptions prevailing about it and how they can be overcome, to ensure that the essential auspicious thought and conviction behind its evolution are upheld …. ??!!

In a lighter vein, Vipraa observed that the fashion of running away from marriage and blaming marriage has never got old among men for ages !!

Feminism .... ??!!

Some other aspects of Yashwantbhai’s views also puzzled Vipraa. While speaking to Vipraa during their telephonic conversations on the Raamaayana and his own writings on the great scripture, Yashwantbhai more than once emphasized on focusing on the characters of Taadakaa and Shoorpanakhaa – the two Rakshashis or demonesses – saying they turned bad due to the atrocities they faced and due to curses of sages …. Vipraa felt puzzled when she heard that for the first time and more so on its repetition for the second time …. Then, the next time, she gave her reply to the advice – “It is better to focus on Shabari.” (In Raamaayana, Shabari is a tribal lady, an ardent devotee of Lord Raama and a disciple of the great Sage Matanga, who tells Lord Raama about Hanumanji and where he can be located).

Yashwantbhai had written in one of his articles that Shoorpanakhaa had done nothing wrong by flirting with Raama and Laxamana and that she should not have been punished for doing so …. was she punished for “flirting” with Raama and Lakshamana or for trying to harm Sitaa ? Vipraa had asked about this, but she did not get any reply ….

Well, is such a stance – of favouring vamp-like characters – called feminism ? Or is that being kind to ladies ? What type of feminism is it – women have the right to be wrong and bad ??!! ….

Vipraa found Yashwantbhai cautioning her against various evils prevailing in the society, especially against women, many of which were undoubtedly genuine – but he never talked of solutions, or efforts / attempts being made towards seeking the right solutions or attempts being made towards overcoming them. He sounded neither optimistic nor solution-oriented, in spite of his known associations with social works and social reforms. Was he so much taken to the awe of magnitude and complexities of the problems that he had lost sight and track of solutions …. ?

In a couple of bouts of credulity that Vipraa had witnessed during his lecture sessions, Yashwantbhai showed tendencies of trusting and committing on behalf of those who were not true enough to him – from what they spoke of him behind his back. And perhaps, as a lame excuse to the consequences of such blunders, he sometimes posed off that he enjoys being misunderstood …. Vipraa wondered if Yashwantbhai could see that his gracious servings of hot and sour spicy grey stuff to fans suffering from hyper acidity could be harmful to their health as well as his reputation.

In view of all this, Vipraa had her own doubts and concerns about how much and what type of justice Yashwantbhai was doing to all the appreciation, the respect and name he was commending in the society ….

Life takes its own course and amidst challenges of striking a balance between circumstances and priorities, acquaintance with Yashwantbhai turned into memories of appreciation and lessons from his lectures and writings and some interactions with him.

And of course, there can be no denying to the fact that Yashwantbhai speaks and writes well on a good range of topics – that include philosophy, religion, politics, nature and so on, with some traces of spiritualism …. and is much appreciated ….

A beautiful quote from Khalil Gibran brought Vipraa back to her present :

“I have learned silence from the talkative, toleration from the intolerant, and kindness from the unkind; yet strange, I am ungrateful to these teachers.”

With prayers in her heart, Vipraa got back to her work.

- Vanita Thakkar (26th August, 2020)

© 2020 Vanita Thakkar

Om Tat Sat Shree Narayan Tu .... - A Beautiful All-Faith Prayer Explained and Elaborated in English

Om Tat Sat Shree Narayan Tu ... is a beautiful all-faith prayer, which was a part of Mahatma Gandhi's prayer sessions. It is sung regularly in many schools/institutions all over India, spreading message and vibrations of harmony and peace. Here, the essence of its verses is elaborated in English.

Om Tat Sat Shree Narayan Tu .... - A Beautiful All-Faith Prayer

Om Tat Sat Shree Narayan Tu, Purushottam Guru Tu,

Siddha Buddha Tu, Skanda Vinayak Savita Paavak Tu,

Brahama Mazda Tu, Yahva Shakti Tu, Ishu Pitaa Prabhu Tu,

Rudra Vishnu Tu, Raama Krishna Tu, Rahim Tao Tu,

Vasudev Go Vishwa Roopa Tu, Chidananda Hari Tu,

Advitiya Tu, Akaala Nirbhay, Aatmalinga Shiva Tu !!

Om Tat Sat Shree Narayan Tu, Purushottam Guru Tu,

Om Tat Sat Shree Narayan Tu !!

Translation : The word Tu translates to Thou art.

The rest are different names of the Almighty - the Universe - the Omnipresent - the Absolute Truth, whatever we choose to call ....

Hence, the literal translation would be ....

Thou art THAT, Thou art TRUTH, Thou art Shree Narayan, Thou art Purushottam Guru,

Thou art Siddha Buddha, (Thou art) Skanda Vinayaka, Thou art Savita Paavak,

Thou art Brahma Mazda, Thou art Yahva Shakti, Thou art Ishu Pitaa Prabhu,

Thou art Rudra Vishnu, Thou art Raama Krishna, Thou art Rahim Tao,

Thou art Vasudev Go Vishwaroopa, Thou art Chidanada Hari,

Thou art Advitiya Akaal Nirbhay, Thou art Aatmalinga Shiva !!

Thou art THAT, Thou art TRUTH, Thou art Shree Narayan, Thou art Purushottam Guru,

Thou art THAT, Thou art TRUTH, Thou art Shree Narayan !!

Elaborations of the meanings are given below :

Elaborating the Essence of the Prayer ....

Hindi	English	Word Meanings / Explanations / References
Om Tat Sat Shree Narayan Tu	Thou art THAT, Thou art TRUTH, Thou art Shree Narayan	Shree : represents Goddess Lakshmi, the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity, prefixed as a symbol of honour before the names of respectable / revered men; Narayan : The Omnipresent God
Purushottam Guru Tu	Thou art Purushottam Guru	Purushottam : The best among men
Siddha Buddha Tu	Thou art Siddha Buddha	Siddha : An accomplished / enlightened seeker - in Hindu and Jain philosophies
Skanda Vinayak	(Thou art) Skanda Vinayaka	Skanda : literally means, the Leaper / the Attacker - Lord Kartikeya - the Warrior God, the first son of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, the destroyer of evil; Vinayak : literally means one who bestows Vinaya, i.e. courtesy / discretion / wisdom, refers to Lord Ganesha - the second son of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, the Hindu Deity of Wisdom, Pure Intelligence and Collectivity, the Remover of obstacles
Savita Paavak Tu	Thou art Savita Paavak	Savita : literally means, the best in the universe, refers to the energy of the Sun; Paavak : that which nurtures and nourishes
Brahma Mazda Tu	Thou art Brahma Mazda	Brahma : as per the Hindu philosophy, highest Universal Principle of Existence - the Ultimate Truth; Mazda : comes from Ahura Mazda - the name of the Zoroastrian God and stands for the God of Harmony, Intelligence and Wisdom
Yahva Shakti Tu	Thou art Yahva Shakti	Yahva : youngest, newest, always young or fresh; Shakti : Energy
Ishu Pitaa Prabhu Tu	Thou art Ishu Pitaa Prabhu	Isha : One who Protects - in the Hindu philosophy; Ishu - comes from Yeshu meaning Jesus Christ; Pitaa : Father; Prabhu : Lord / God
Rudra Vishnu Tu	Thou art Rudra Vishnu	Rudra : literally means "the roarer" or the "howler", a name of Lord Shiva in the Hindu philosophy, meaning the mighty God of storm, lightning and thunder, the Purifier; Vishnu : the Omnipresent - the all-pervasive, the Protector and the Preserver of Universe, the Hindu Deity of Sustainability of Universe
Raama Krishna Tu	Thou art Raama Krishna	Raama and Krishna are incarnations of Lord Vishnu - the Hindu Deity of Protection and Sustainability
Rahim Tao Tu	Thou art Rahim Tao	Rahim : one of the names of Allah in Islam, meaning "Merciful"; Tao : literally means "way", in Chinese philosophy, refers to the Absolute Principle underlying the Universe, combining within itself the principles of Yin (the Feminine power) and Yang (the Masculine power) and signifying the way, or code of behaviour, that is in harmony with the natural order.
Vasude Go Vishwaroopa Tu	Thou art Vasudev Go Vishwaroopa	Vasudev : Shree Krishna - the Universal Divinity; Go Vishwaroopa : the Almighty God - Lord Krishna - who has the universe as His body.
Chidananda Hari Tu	Thou art Chidanada Hari	Chidananda : one with a conscious mind immersed in total bliss; Hari : the Savior, a name of Lord Vishnu, the one who removes darkness and illusion.
Advitiya Tu Akaal Nirbhay	Thou art Advitiya Akaal Nirbhay	Advitiya : one without a second, unparalleled, only One; Akaal : beyond Time; Nirbhay : Fearless
Aatmalinga Shiva Tu	Thou art Aatmalinga Shiva	Aatmalinga : pure soul manifesting the formless as a form; Shiva : literally means "the Auspicious one", referring to Lord Shiva

Several recorded versions of this prayer are available online.

A couple of links are given below.

I had learnt this prayer during my childhood, regularly sung in the beginning of my dance class sessions. It has remained in my heart ever since. I can still see Ms. Hazarika, our beautiful, elegant dance teacher standing with her hands folded with us, singing this prayer, in the beginning of our sessions.

 

Was / is this or any other All-Faith Prayer regularly sung in your School / Institute / Organization ?

• 85% Yes
• 0% No
• 15% I would love to have it

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© 2020 Vanita Thakkar

Consolations - Poem

Plight Of Womanhood .... Continued Refusal To Learn From Past, To Change For Good ....How Long, How Far .... ??!!

CONSOLATIONS

“Well, well, dear !!

This world didn’t spare

The divine Sita,

Purity embodied

And the dazzling Draupadi,

Blazing Womanhood,

Who are you and I ? ….”

Thus go consolations,

Sometimes soothing,

While at times piercing

The perpetually bleeding

Sores of Time,

Wailing wordlessly

At stagnated sensitivity

And vicious wiliness,

Regressing Manliness.

- Vanita Thakkar (17-03-2015)

We often hear such gratifications / consolations when there are talks about injustice to women ....

Sometimes, they are also used to caution / discourage a successful lady, steadily progressing on her chosen path, urging her to be "satisfied" with her share of achievements .... The reasons behind such discouragements can be very many that may even be too difficult to decipher immediately, but there is a clear, definite oversight to the sense of duty, commitment or necessity that prompts the lady to work towards perfection / excellence and resulting success ....

Plight Of Womanhood ....

Continued Refusal To Learn From Past,

To Change For Good ....

How Long, How Far .... ??!!

The Plight Of Sita .... ".... Prove Yourself ...."

Draupadi's Ordeal .... The Worst Insult Of Womanhood Right In Front Of Elders And Distinguished, Respected Courtiers ....

 

© 2020 Vanita Thakkar