Phagwah

PHAGWAH/HOLI SEASON IS HERE!

The word Phagwah was derived from the name of the Vedic/Hindu month Phalgun, in which Phagwah was celebrated by the Aryas, the first known civilized people who lived in a vast number of settlements in the Indus valley and had their inspirations rooted in Vedas. Holi originated from the word ‘Hola’ which means ‘to offer portions of newly harvested and roasted grains to God Almighty, and the community giving thanks for good harvest. Phagwah or Holi, predates the event of Prahalad and his father King Hiranyakashipu, Shree Krishna and the Gopees {milkmaids} as described in the Puranas. Rishi Dayananda refutes the story of the Gopees, stealing of the clothes of bathing women and the lover boy portrayal of Shree Krishna. The Rishi records that Shree Krishna was a Maha Yogeshwar, {one who has mastered the art of yoga}, a possessor of enormous wisdom which he revealed in the Gita, who lived during the period when India was at the zenith of glory, a time when peace, prosperity, enlightenment, and discipline was the order of the day. Side by side with Shree Krishna were the most disciplined archer Arjuna, best in the usage of weaponry, Bhishma Pitamaha, Dronacharya, and very many erudite Vedic Scholars. Swami Dayananda stated that Krishna had a clean character, austere personality worthy of glorification to the highest extent. And so, why are we casting aspersions on his personality? Why are we putting Shri Krishna into public contempt and ridicule?

Phagwah incorporates many purposes. It is an agricultural festival for many parts of India, celebrating and giving thanks for a good harvest. It also heralds the arrival of the spring season, a time when man and nature alike throws off the cold winter and rejoices in the illuminating multiplicity of colors, warmth and wonders of spring. It offers an opportunity to repair ruptured relationships, end conflict, and to forgive and forget. Phagwah also allows everyone an opportunity to eradicate emotional impurities of the past and look forward to renewed life.  It is definitely one of the most colorful and vibrant festivals. A happy time! Days leading up to Phagwah present evidence of the growing momentum as electrifying pre-Phagwa concerts, Pageants, the beating of drums, clinking of majeera (cymbals), singing chowtals, {Holi songs}, and festive dancing, all adding to the splendid glory of colors that represent various aspects of this festival. Many look forward to spraying abeer {colored water} and colored powder on each other. Towns and cities come alive during Phagwah celebrations, people mingle freely with each other irrespective of age, caste, creed, gender and social status. 

This sacred festival also reminds us of our origin and identity. It gives us a sense of pride and gratitude for our ancestors who brought such a rich tradition that has evolved into a festival of such great magnitude in the Indian diaspora. We should continue to add value to this rich legacy. So whether we are from Asia, the Americas, or Europe, or wherever, do enjoy this festival in a very cultured manner. New York Phagwah celebration which is one of the largest celebrations in North America, was started by Dr. Satish, Pt. Ramlall and others. Their vision was to fill us with a sense of pride and hope that the festival of the ancient Aryas who were the preservers of Vedic tradition, would be a cultured event which would enchant the non-Hindu population by a show of one of the richest cultures and tradition the world has seen. In addition, they both knew that this festival would create an impression in the minds of our children who belong to an ancient-most civilization and that the beliefs and practices of our tradition have been tested for generations and validated. This celebration also sought to unite the Hindu community culturally. However, today Pt. Ramlall is aging, and Dr. Satish has become a world renowned scholar who has a busy schedule lecturing worldwide, and the parade has fallen into the wrong hands making it into a carnival-like event. Soca music, alcohol, vulgarity and factionalism have taken over. Last year there was no parade because of in-fighting among religious leaders, this year the NY courts decided that the parade should be done collectively with stipulation. The very foundations laid by the two most respectable and learned leaders are currently being trampled upon by non-religious people who are mere wannabees. This pious Holi that existed prior to the advent of Shree Ram has now lost its pristine glory. Today our challenge is not the tyrant Hiranyakashipu. The world has come a far way and man has become enlightened, tyranny is all history now. Tyrants are dealt with by the United Nations and its member States in rare cases. Today our challenge is far greater. We as Indians are now losing our identity and our children to suicide, alcoholism, drugs etc. What changes can we make to better ourselves and others this Holi? What bad habits are we willing to avert and what goals are we willing to set for ourselves in this Vedic/Hindu New Year? How can we first make a difference in our family and community? How can we live up as children of Bheeshma Pitamaha who stood up for Dharma, {righteousness} and who made sure the Kshatriya, {ruling or military class} codes were upheld approximately 5,000 years ago during the Mahabharata period? How can we ensure that the young people today live their lives according to Vedic tradition and avoid violating moral codes?  Can their direction be changed? And if no changes are made what would society be like in the near future? These are the most challenging issues facing us this Holi. Indian martyr Bhai Parmanand about whom many Guyanese, Trinidadians, and Surinamese have little knowledge, visited Guyana and a few other countries in the Caribbean in the year 1910 and institutionalized the Arya Samaj. He wrote in his book titled “The Story OF My Life” that those who had left the shores of India and did not hold on to their culture would have been considered lost. I pondered many times trying to fully understand this statement made by Bhai Parmanand, who was an educator, a historian and above all a visionary whose statue stands tall in front of the parliament in Delhi. What was it that he foresaw that made him arrive at this conclusion? A conclusion that is evident today.  As I researched the origins of Phagwah, I recall my trip to India, the land of our forefathers, the land that was once home to the ancient Rishis, the scholars of yore, who had insights into the Vedas. Also the land where Rishi Dayananda pleaded with his countrymen to return to the Vedas, and abandon false doctrines. I am forever grateful to my sister Sunita Sukhram who accompanied me and spoke fluent Hindi making my trip as religious and informative as possible. We visited Vrindavan and Mathura. It is the place where Shree Krishna grew up. From his time until now, Holi celebrations last for 16 days. This was the most gigantic celebration I have ever seen, filled with exuberant processions and enthusiasm. The crowd comprised millions and everyone was drenched in the spirit of Holi. I was extremely over joyed knowing that after 5,000 years Shree Krishna’s memory is alive and well and Phagwah tradition, which is as old as the first civilization, was celebrated with such spirit that will continue for eternity.     

   Happy Phagwah!!! 

 

           

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