नवीनतम
Hal Shashti-Balaram Jayanti today
Lord Balaram, the elder brother of Shri Krishna, is also known as Balbhadra or Halayudha. This is because he epitomises strength, and hence the name Balaram. Moreover, he is seen carrying a plough and a pestle in his hands. Therefore, he is also associated with agriculture.
Balaramji's main weapon is plow and pestle. Therefore, he is also called Haladhar. The name of this festival is called Hal Shashti after him. In the eastern districts of our country, it is also called Lalai Chhath.
As per certain sects, he is believed to be the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. However, according to another belief system, he is an avatar of Shesh Nag, the five/seven-headed serpent of Shri Vishnu.
On Sashti Tithi, Krishna Paksha Bhadrapada (sixth day during the waning phase of the Lunar cycle in Bhadrapada month), devotees shall celebrate Balaram Jayanti (the birth anniversary of Balaram). Hence, as celebrations begin today.
On this day, there is a law to make mahue tooth. In this fast, the use of fruits and grains mixed by plow is forbidden. Use of cow's milk curd is also prohibited on this day. Buffalo milk and yogurt are used.
The Sashti Tithi began at around 6:48 PM on August 27 and shall end at 8:56 PM on August 28.
Know more about Lord Balaram
The story of the birth of Lord Balaram is a fascinating tale. He was conceived by Devaki (Vasudev's second wife), held captive in prison by her cousin and the tyrant ruler of Mathura, Kansa. A divine prophecy had cautioned Kansa about the cause of his death. It had revealed that Devaki's eighth child would be the cause of his death. Therefore, to escape death, Kansa killed all of Devaki's six babies soon after they were born. Finally, however, the divine powers intervened and transferred the seventh foetus from Devaki's womb to Rohini's womb. (For the unversed, Rohini was Vasudev's first Queen). Meanwhile, Rohini had found a safe shelter in Nanda and Yashoda's house in Gokul.
Law of worship
In the morning, after bathing in the morning, a small pond is made by leaping the earth in which strawberry, palash, bunches are tied to each branch and every chhath made by it is buried and worshiped. In worship, roasted lava of satanja (wheat, gram, paddy, maize, sorghum, millet, barley) etc. is offered. Turmeric is also dyed and suhag material is dyed.
After the worship, the following mantra is prayed -
Neel Parvate of Kushavate Vilva at the gate of Ganga |
Sanyatya Kankhale Devi Haran Sandhavati Patim ||
Llithe subhage devi sukh saubhagya daayini |
Anant Dehi Saubhagya Mahman Tubhyam Namo Namah ||
Meaning - O Goddess! Taking a bath in Gangadwar, Kushavarta, Vilvak, Neel Parvat and Kanakhal Tirtha, Lord Shankar is attained as a husband. Lalita Devi, who gives happiness and good luck, is a very good greeting to you, please give me a steady honeymoon.
The story of Hal Sasthi (Hal Sasthi Katha)
The delivery time of a pregnant Gwlynn was near. She was suffering from childbirth. His curd-butter was kept for sale. He thought that if delivery was done, curd-butter would not be sold.
Thinking this, he put milk and yogurt pot on his head and went to sell, but on reaching some distance, he suffered unbearable labor. She went to a strawberry tree and gave birth to a child there.
She left the child there and went to sell milk and curd in the nearby villages. Incidentally, that day was Hull Shashthi. He sold the mixed milk of cow and buffalo only to the villagers by referring to buffalo milk.
On the other hand, a farmer was plowing the field near the strawberry under which he had left the child. Suddenly his oxen erupted and the child died due to plowing fruit into the body.
The farmer was very sad due to this incident, yet he acted with courage and patience. He put stitches in the child's clenched stomach with strawberry thorns and left him there. After some time Gwaleen arrived there after selling milk. Seeing such a child's condition, it did not take him long to understand that all this is a punishment for his sin.
She started thinking that if I had not sold cow's milk in lieu and had not corrupted the religion of the women of the village, my child would not have this condition. Therefore, I should return and tell all things to the villagers and make atonement.
Having decided this, she reached the village where she had sold milk and curd. He went around the street and told about his milk and curd and also about the punishment he received as a result. The women then forgave and blessed him with self-defense and taking pity on him.
When she reached the bottom of the strawberry after taking blessings from many women, she was surprised to see that her son was lying there in a living state. Then he considered lying for selfishness as a Brahman murder and vowed never to lie.
