We celebrated the coveted festival of Karwa Chauth a few
days ago. My wife has always been very enthusiastic for this one day and does
everything to make the day special for both of us. Over the years we have got
connected with the world through the social media and many other means.
Interestingly, the social media has opened us to a wider horizon and scads of
ideas and opinions. One such opinion (and quite popular one0 piqued our
interest – “Karwa Chauth has become regressive, and is still being used to bind
women in a golden cage!”
Both of us brainstormed, discussed and debated at many a
points to understand the meaning of the opinion and the festival itself. And
then we realized that we need to understand a bit more prior to passing our own
opinion on the subject. Per my understanding, opinions cloud your ability to see
clearly. We must try to stay away from them. It is on my wife's insistence that I chose to write on this topic. Please allow me to present my not so contiguous thoughts, that may make sense by the end.
While growing up we all listen to stories and think about
those as well. However, when we feel we are grown up – we want to listen only
to philosophies and leave the stories to our children. What we forget is that
every story is laced with the important lessons from philosophy and teaches one
to understand the meaning in their own context! Stories are powerful messengers.
To understand the festival, let’s listen to a couple of stories.
In the great epic Mahabharata, there is a time when Arjun
has to leave his brothers and wife – Draupadi in the forest and go to a hill
performing penance. As per the rules of the penance, he is supposed to spend a
year away. At the same time, this happened to be the year when he was to be the
husband for Draupadi. Draupadi starts missing Arjun. The rest of the four
pandavas and Draupadi suffer troublesome circumstances and misfortunes.
Draupadi calls for Sri Krishna and expresses her grief. Sri Krishna suggests
her of a ritual suggested by Lord Shiva to Parvati. This ritual was to be
observed on an auspicious day known as Karwa Chauth to keep the issues away
from the martial life. Sri Krishna recommends Draupadi to follow the same ritual
to rejuvenate her marriage and pray for victory for Pandavas in the upcoming
war.
In another story, the Karwa Chauth was mostly celebrated in
the regions that have been prone to wars or attacks from outsiders. In many
scenarios, the men would leave the old, children and women back in the security
of the fort, while they go out into the battlefield to face the enemy. Due to
the resources being scarce, the women in the fort started the tradition to
observe fast to save the food for the men fighting for the security and
independence. This action became a tradition over the period of time and became
the festival as we know today.
In yet other retellings, Karwa Chauth became a festival in
the middle ages, for the married women to bond with other married girls by
celebrating it together in masses. This helped them to recreate their marriage
scenes for their amusement. While enjoying so, they wish to meet again and
hence wish to remain married further and praying for a long life for their
spouses. This developed a romance between them and their spouses.
Perhaps, the most prominent story that helps understand the
meaning of long life of the husband is that of Satyavan and Savitri. Savitri
followed Lord Yama who came to take the life of Satyavan away. Yama could
neither take Savitri with himself, and could neither leave her behind. Through
her devotion for her husband and sharp wittedness, Savitri made Yama to agree
to giver herself a boon to bear children. Yama agreed to her demand. And then realized
the wit of Savitri, since she could not bear children as Yama was taking away
Satyavan. Yama finally had to return Satyavan back to life.
In many parts of India – particularly north, the Kartik
month of the Hindu lunar calendar is celebrated with the sowing of the Rabi
crop or the winter crop. This crop is sown after the monsoon season is over. During
this time, the fields are often filled with insects and reptiles of all sorts.
While the farmers are out in the field working, their wives back home celebrate
this festival with earthen pot known as “Karva” on the fourth day of the dark
fortnight. Thus giving the name – Karwa Chauth.
All the stories hint towards the purpose of the festival
which hasn’t changed – happiness and wellness in one’s life. In none of the
stories, the women were forced to observe the ritual or the fast. They did what
the felt right at the moment. The stories do make a point of wishing for a long
life of a husband through the deeds of the woman. Yet, the undelying tone is
for the general good for the community and the social fabric. At the same time, the stories emphasize on the role of women in the society. They are seen as the preservers, protectors and guardians of resources and most importantly taking the onus of the family when the male is not around. The women are not subservient to the male, but have a parity.
People today argue the relevance of the stories and how could a simple ritual extend their spouses life? We do agree that fasting or praying on this particular day would not help increase the spouse’s life. Had this been the case, the insurance companies would have lobbied around to exercise a ban on the celebration! But this is a festival that brings them together for a happy life. A life that they can enjoy and cherish for longer time. This makes them remember the facets of their married life even longer.
Over the years, the observation reveals both the partners –
bride and bridegroom – observing the fast for each other. While growing up, we
have seen numerous couples getting ready on this day and enjoying each other’s
company as if their married life starts now. This is a great feeling for them
as it rekindles the feeling of joy and romance in their hearts, which is
usually lost in the mundane tasks of the life all year long. This is a day for
them to remind of themselves as being together and working as a couple for
every situation, rather than being an individual that they always are in their
profession. This has given an altogether a new meaning to a festival that has
been around for ages.
The meanings, motives and the methods may have changed over
the period of time. But the festival even today serves the purpose of bliss in
martial life. It is up to oneself to see the rituals as regressive or oppressive,
but for me it has become a symbol of love and devotion to my spouse without
whom the journey of life is incomplete.
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