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Come late autumn
Golden heart of
the paddy field
Sways in joy
Has that moment
arrived
When the beloved
brothers
Sitting in a row
Cross-legged
Reverently receive
The sandal paste
mark
On their
forehead
By the sisters’
little fingers
Of the left hand?
Chanting of the
old rhyme
Of Yama and
Yamuna myth*
Makes a stronger
bond
Prayers of safety,
success and long life
Woven into
Mother Earth’s
Paddy grains and
grass shoots
Are showered on
their crowns
Sisters’
blessing they are
Among wisps of
fragrant smoke
From the incense
sticks
Blowing of conch
shells
Brass oil-lamp
holds
The flame of
faith
Among siblings,
cousins
Sisters hand them
the special dishes
To sweeten their
mouths
Gifts of love
are exchanged
Young ones touch
the elders’ feet
Mothers melt in
the warmth of love
Shared by their
sons and daughters
The whole day is
a celebration of love
*According to Rig Veda, Yama and
Yamuna were twins (brother and sister) born to Surya (Sun god). In their
earthly incarnations, Yamuna once longed to see her brother and invited Yama to
her house. When Yama, the god of death visited his sister, his sister prayed
for his well being. The other legends regarding the origin connect Vishnu,
Krishna and Mahavira.
However, according to
folklorist and social historians due to various societal changes with the
advent of agriculture, the sisters began to pray for their brothers’ safety,
well being, and success. The bhai phonta festival is rooted in that social
practice: Wikipedia
