The True Significance of Dahi Handi: The Infinite Self

Bhaarat has many such festivals, wherein every single person extracts the fullest joy from, irrespective of background, no? Every Indian Festival is celebrated with great fervour and its related activities, yet how much of the celebration is really understood? With men (and women) making tall pyramids to reach out to the Dahi Handi suspended at great heights, the sight is popular not just amongst the participants, but equally amongst the viewers. A beautifully decorated pot filled with curd, milk, ghee and dry fruit is hung at a height with the help of a rope and is the target of several sporty groups who train to perform this arduous task.

Reaching this pot is a big challenge, especially with the viewers spraying water on the face and body of these participants, distracting them from their goal of reaching the Dahi Handi. And yet, the participants revel in being teased with water, water balloons and colour. Dahi Handi evolved into a spectator sport and is also competitive, with many rewards for winners - those who break the pot at the largest heights... but what was this activity truly meant for?

The Legend:

As we know, Sri Krishn, as a child, loved eating butter and curd, and would gather his friends to mischievously “steal” the Maakhan from the Handi at various homes. They would make small pyramids to reach the maakhan/ dahi handi, suspended at a height, inside the kitchen (away from the reach of children assumedly), and then enjoy eating the tasty curd and butter. This is the story behind celebrating Gopal Kala, which depicts the mischievous acts of Lord Krishna. But what could this signify? Lots!

The Real Dahi Handi

In our eternal Bhartiya Shaastra, there is the gross (Sthool) and the Subtle (Sookshm). In fact, this is a scientific fact: The subtle is always more important than the gross and the subtle controls the gross. For instance, electricity drives appliances, breath sustains humans, microbes cause disease.

The Dahi Handi is a beautiful Symbol (The Gross). The ropes holding the pot signify the material world (visible). The pot represents the human ego (subtle, not visible), the content of the Handi is the human consciousness Atma, part of the universal consciousness (subtlest, not visible). This universal consciousness is termed “Krishn”, the spark of which, lies within us. To reach our own consciousness, the Self, is discovering the eternal Sri Krishn – The Bliss within!

Reaching our own being (subtle) is held back by dangles of Samsara, viz material world (gross). When we break the pot, we release the real content from the shackles of Samsara. In this way, we reveal the real bliss of life, introducing one to his/ her own true self. Our eagerness to savour the butter or curd is symbolic of the bliss that one would enjoy on realising the true essence or the self, Krishn within. The pot thus represents attachment to the body, which is simply the container for Atma. The reason for having the pot is merely to hold the real content. Breaking the pot can be taken as the Divine urging to break the body - mind complex to attain true bliss, portrayed as the contents of the pot. This is the real wealth, not the money, which are competition stakes. Also as long as the pot is there, the space within is limited. But when the pot is broken, notice what happens – the space now becomes unlimited. What we are supposed to learn is that our bodies are finite, our consciousness is infinite.

Sri Krishn is Yogeshwar

There are several names for Sri Krishn. One of them is Gopal. Gopal means both cowherd as well as protector of earth. Consciousness within is the eternal, indestructible shield. Krishn avatar in our legends is synonymous with self-realization. Is that even possible for the average human? Yes, and there is a process for it.

Krishn, born, as the eighth child of Devaki, represents the intense Eight limbs of yog (Samadhi of Ashtaang Yog). Self-realization can occur only after the seven steps are successfully negotiated and the mind-body complex is purified in the process. The eight spiritual steps as described by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are Yam (self-control); Niyam (self-discipline), Aasan (bodily postures); Pranayam (control of breath), Pratyahar (one pointedness), Dharana (concentration), Dhyan (contemplation) and Samadhi (self-realization). In the state of Samadhi, there is spontaneous birth of Yogeshwar Krishn, the true SELF. Another meaning of killing the first six children is of ending the Shadripu – the six enemies of human virtue.

The Festival of Bliss

To break the illusion of the body mind complex is not an easy task, as one will have to focus steadfastly on realizing the essence or the ultimate with devotion and self-submission, whilst still being surrounded by the din of day-to-day life. This endeavor is represented by the pyramid of humans rising together in joyous collaboration! Krishn, that is Universal consciousness, is Bliss. And seeking bliss itself is blissful. So, when we celebrate Janmashtami, ie the birth of Lord Krishn, we celebrate the discovery of the ‘True Self” within – the Krishn within. That which is material is only a means to seek the eternal within….

Shubh Janmashtami and Gopalkala to you and your families! May eternal bliss be yours ????????