IN Hinduism, there is a wheel of festivals, observances and seasons, which make us constantly remind ourselves of the existence of God, and which assist us very profoundly to engage in pious, positive and non-violent activities, that will carve paths for good and righteous living. They help to shape and mould our lives in such ways that will definitely make us walk on the path of God’s realization.

They create paths for spiritual elevation and solace. Indeed, Swami Sivananda was not wrong when he said: “Every day is a holy day.”

This festival is called by two names—‘Holi’ and ‘Phagwah’.

Holi derives from ‘Hola’, meaning grains. It is a time when crops are harvested and thanksgiving is done to God for providing bountiful crops and foods. Indeed from the point of view of the term Holi, it is really a thanksgiving time; a time to share and embrace each other with love and goodwill.
‘Phagwah’ derives from the Hindu month, ‘Phalgun’—the month in which the festival falls. To usher in this day, the eve before, the ‘Holika’—a huge fire is lit.

It symbolizes the power of righteousness over unrighteousness; good over evil; truth over untruth; virtues over vices.

Following the burning, the next morning the ash is taken and placed upon each other’s forehead; water is besmeared on each other; chowtaal, kabeer, baani, etc (special types of music) are sung; and the entire village despite race and colour join in the joyous festivities.

In the afternoon of the same day, everyone again joins in celebration by splashing abeer, and powder and sharing and participating in sweetmeats.

Indeed, Phagwah is a reaffirmation of hope, a renewed commitment to friendship and goodwill, and a religiously sanctioned celebration of the simple – and some not-so-simple – joys of life. It is a time of spiritual power, faith and introspection.

It is a time for us to identify the negative forces [vices; lust, greed, anger, hate, malice, jealousy, contempt, etc] in our lives and seek ways for their destruction, so that we may live a life of peace, harmony, brotherly love and truth.

We will commit fewer mistakes and seek to cultivate good habits and virtues in our lives.

Vices are the evils that sway us from the path of real and serene living. Lust, greed, anger, hate, malice, conceit, jealousy, etc, are the root causes of man’s miseries and sufferings in this world.

Swayed by them, man eats the wrong things; speaks the wrong things; spends money on non-essential things; harbours the wrong company; and does the wrong things in his life. Mistakes are therefore committed when humans allow vices to intervene and take control of their lives.

He cannot make the right decision at this stage, and as a result, he lives his life like a brute. At this stage, even religion and God become a mockery for him.

Hence the essence of Phagwah is for us to identify these vices and other weaknesses and seek corrective measures.

This occasion of Phagwah must have a positive social impact. It must bring people together, foster unity, social peace and provide an avenue for people to cast away old enmities, hatred and jealousy.

It is a time when people should look at their attitudes—whether or not they are conducive to development, both materially and spiritually. At this time people must realize and remind themselves that colour, status and creed are only artificial and that there is a greater and more sublime meaning and purpose to life.

Our behaviours  are the very things that determine our happiness, peace and prosperity and on the other hand, behaviours will also determine our pains, sufferings and unstable minds. For us therefore to live a stable life; a good life, we must always take into consideration our behaviours and attitudes.

We have to WATCH our lives. Maybe the very simple word “watch” can play very important and positive roles in our lives if we watch it properly.

The first letter, “W” means that we should watch our words, the second letter “A” means we should watch our actions, “T”—we should watch our thoughts, “C”, watch our character and “H”, we should watch our habits.

When these five: our words, actions, thoughts, character and habits are properly monitored and watched, our simple lives become filled with bliss, goodwill, and serenity. It is this stage which all men aspire to attain and reach and it is right in our hands.

In this society that we are living, we are very tired of hearing of the different types of  abuse (drugs, alcohol, spousal, etc.) and suicides. Too many young people are destroying themselves; too many young people are being carried away by the bad company (drugs, alcohol, school dropouts, etc).

Maybe they lack true enlightenment which are to come from the schools, Mandirs, Churches, Masjids, and homes (parents).

It therefore means that if there is to be any hope for peace in society; if there is to be any hope for the decline in abuse of all types; if there is to be any hope for a changed society–better youths and people in general, the very institutions listed above will have to do more. Parents may have to come to their senses.

Indeed Phagwah is not only a religious occasion, but one that calls very vehemently for universal peace and happiness.

Editor, to go on further, Phagwah is a time when we must look at the state of our fellow human beings.

We must be prepared to help each other as much as possible so that all could enjoy peace and happiness; enough to eat and wear; good health and wellbeing.

We must use our hands to serve the weak and needed ones; the poor, sick, hungry, naked and unsheltered ones. It is a call for us to foster that sense of humanity and regard for the needed. While we work and enjoy our lives to the fullest, we must also think of those in need. While we get wholesome food, some don’t; while we enjoy good places to rest, some don’t and as such we must always be inclined to help.

To give a helping hand is part of a human life. Selfishness destroys us. It destroys our human qualities and attitudes causing us to behave like brutes among our fellow humans.
As for Hindus, Phagwah is a time when we also strive for the protection, preservation and propagation of our Dharma, Hinduism. Hindus, do not allow your Hindu siblings to go astray from their Dharma, Hinduism, just because of their weaknesses and ignorance. We have to ensure that our Dharma, Hinduism grows and gets stronger and more vibrant.

Hinduism is called ‘Sanaatan Dharma’. ‘Sanaatan’ means ‘that which knows no age’/ ‘eternal’. It is eternal because its creator is God; the principles upon which it is built are eternal. Further, it is not limited by space or time for it was not started by anyone person or saint or prophet.

The principles and truths on which it  rests were there since before its discoverers. Just as how the law of gravity existed before its discoverer, Sir Issac Newton. Similarly, before our ancient and most God realized Sages discovered the truths of Hindu Dharma, they were there already. Hence, it has lasted for countless millenniums and continues to exist.

To conclude, Phagwah is not merely a simple festival, but one that calls for rejuvenation of Hinduism by Hindus and for us to share stronger unity among human beings. “Oh God, Let us be saved together; let us be raised together. Let us be united and strengthened together. May we never envy each other.”(Upanishad)