Chapter 30 - Bhai Bij

Bhai Bij means the second bright day of the Kartak month. On this day, the brother goes to dine at sister’s house. If any brother has, no real blood related sister related then he goes for lunch at cousin sister’s house. Even if he has no cousin sister then he religiously considers any neighbor’s daughter as sister. If he does not find any neighborly sister then he can treat a cow or a river as a sister. If that is also not possible; then he can treat tree as sister.

As mythology goes, on the day of Bhai Bij, Yamunaji invited her brother Yam at her home for dinner. Both the brother and sister made pooja of each other. After relishing yummy dinner, Yam asked Yamuna, ‘Sister Yamuna, what gift shall I give you?’ O brother as a younger sister I ask you to give me promise that; this day must be known as Bhai Bij; you will not go to give end of life by taking out the soul of that person who has taken bath in my river on the day of Bhai bij. Moreover, as you came to dine at my home on this day, similarly on this day please, allow all the prisoners of states to go to their sisters‘home for dinner.‖

Yamraj gave promise for Bhai Bij to his sister; from that day, onwards the vow of Bhai Bij is observed.