Blog · Literatureनेपाली चाडपर्व तथा विशेष दिनहरू
The 31 chapters of Swasthani Bratakatha, which started on Poush Shukla Purnima, will end on Magh Shukla Purnima next month. Men and women alike can fast for a month by listening to this story in the same way. In this way, one satvik meal is eaten and fruits as other meal.
From today, many families abstain from fish and meat, may the welfare of all be ensured in this special month of Shri Swasthani Mata. The story begins with the mantra 'Yan Brahma Varunerudramarut' and ends with the hymn 'Upanayatu Mangalam'.
The glory of Swasthani mother, who lives among the eight goddesses, is very significant. Swasthani has four hands and in her hands are the chakra, Trishul, sword, and lotus flower.
It is important to link the Vedic Sanatan rites with civilization rather than religion. There is evidence and documents that Sindhu was Hindu by using the word 'H' instead of 'S' as there is no easy availability and easy pronunciation of the word 'S' in the Farsi language. Thus, the civilization on the banks of the river Indus happened.
These Ashta Matrikas are very important in Nepali life, as the eight knots of our Daura Suruwal are taken as a symbol of these Ashta Matrikas, we all know that the eight numbers are taken as auspicious numbers.
In the Vedic Sanatan Hindu rites, most of the Puranas are recited by one character as the narrator.
The Bhagavad Gita is a dialogue between Krishna and Arjuna, while the Swasthani Vratakatha is a dialogue between Shivaji's eldest son Kumarji and Agastyamuni.
From today, the Shali River in Sakhu, Kathmandu will be flooded, but this year, due to the Corona terror, there has been a decrease in the number of pilgrimages and crowds. The power of Goddess Swasthani is evident when one sees the courage and faith of those who return in the middle of winter and dive into the cold river water with reverence and faith.
The story of Goma Brahmani has spread public awareness about child marriage by presenting the bad effects of child marriage even in ancient times. Explaining sexual and reproductive health with examples, the story also advocates for gender equality between men and women in many places through Ganesha's beheading, the creation of the world, and the relationship between Shiva and Parvati.
May the banks of the rivers worshiped in winter protect everyone in the rain, may the waves of sexual equality spread in the society in real life, may the Ashta Matrikas, including Mata Swasthani, have immense compassion for us. Hail, Swasthani!
Magh bathing ritual started/ Magh Snan Suru
Although it is difficult to take a heavy bath in the winter month of Magh, bathing with reverence only on the first day, i.e. the day of the full moon, can become the heir of heaven. According to the resolution of Magh Snan and Prarambha Shastra, Swasthani Bratakatha should be taken from the day of the full moon.
Donations have a special significance in January. Sesame, Chaku, ghee, and blankets are considered as special virtues in charity.
Bathing in the holy rivers in the month of Magh gives one special energy. Similarly, it is described in the scriptures and Puranas that bathing, charity, religion, virtue, worship, and devotion in the month of Magh, all kinds of happiness can be obtained and in the end, Lord Narayana can be achieved.
Nepal Nursing Day/ Nepal Nursing Diwas
Outside, the fires of World War II were raging, people were being killed and injured every day, and Florence Nightingale, a small lamp, was always at the service of the wounded. Let's talk about nurses who have been highly respected by people all over the world in the last century.
This year, the significance of this day is increased immensely. As the terror of COVID is prevalent, the role of the white coat is considered equal as combatants for national security and public health.
The nurse reminds me of the hospital and the main thing is health care and loving care. Nurses' Day is celebrated in Nepal on the 15th of Magh every year. After the establishment of Bir Hospital in 1947, there were only a handful of compounders and a handful of people trained in India as health assistants.
The Nepali history of nursing seems to have started in 2013 BS when some Nepali students including housewives were formally trained as nurses during the Rana regime.
During the Rana period, four Nepali disciples, Bidhavati Kansakar, Radha Devi Malakar, Dharmadevi Kansakar, and Bishnu Devi Rai, have a history of training as health assistants from Allahabad, India. After that, the trend of Nepali women coming to India after 4 years and 9 months long nursing courses has increased.
What is surprising about nursing is that there are only a small number of men in this business. Some time ago, some nursing colleges also gave nursing training to men, and later men were not attracted to this profession.
In the beginning, nursing was not seen as a pleasant profession, it was a night duty, it was necessary to work with the sick and wounded. Now the whole dimension of nursing has transformed in Nepal, nurses are taken as a great profession and persona in Nepal. Happy National Nurses Day of Nepal.
Suyog Dhakal
