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Every festival has some legends attached to it. The famous legends attached to bhai dooj are as follows -
The Legend Of Yamaraj and Yamuna
In the Vedas Yama is god of the dead, with whom the spirits of the departed dwell. He was the son of Vivasvat, the Sun and had a twin-sister named Yami or Yamuna. Yami, Yama’s twin sister, was transformed into the sacred river Yamuna in whose purifying waters people bathe on holy days. Yama was given an equally important role and made the god of Death, whom all fear. On Bhai Dooj day, Yami or Yamaraja was called to his sister’s home Yamuna, where she offered Aarti and a small gift for her brother.
Yama then told her that on this day brothers would be invited to their sisters’ home and in return the brother would bring a gift for his sister. Until today this tradition is maintained with great love. As Yama's sister is Yamuna and she fed Yama to his satisfaction he said that from now on any brother who visits the sister on Bhai Dhuj day will escape the hand of Yamaraj - the sister prays for her brother.
The Legend Of Lord Vishnu
When Lord Vamandev was pleased with Bali maharaj and appeared in Vishnu-rupa, Bali asked a boon that Lord Vishnu would be on every door at Patalaloka. Lord Vishnu agrees and goes to become a Dwarpalaka of Bali. When this news was reached to Goddess Lakshmi by Narad, she was in great distressed. In order to make her husband return back to his original place, Laxmi plays trick on Bali.
She goes to Bali as a poor woman seeking help. She says to Bali that she doesn't have a brother and would dearly like one. When Bali accepted that he will now onwards be her brother and told her to ask anything that she needs. Bali asked Laxmi what he can give her, Laxmi replied that you have my everything in your service - please release Lord Vishnu. Thus, Lord Vishnu was released from the service of Bali.
The Legend Of Lord Krishna
According to one legend, on the day of Bhai Dooj, Lord Krishna, after slaying the Narakasura demon, goes to his sister Subhadra. She welcomes her brother with the lamp, flowers and sweets, and puts the holy protective spot on her brother's forehead.
The Legend Of Lord Mahavir
Yet another story behind the origin of Bhai Dooj says that when Mahavir, the founder of Jainism, attained nirvana, his brother King Nandivardhan was distressed because he missed him and was comforted by his sister Sudarshana. Since then, women have been revered during Bhai Dooj. |
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