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{{short description|Regional Hindu | {{short description|Regional Hindu God}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}} | {{Use Indian English|date=May 2019}} | ||
'''Bir Kuar''' or '''Birkuar''' ([[IAST]]: Bir-kuār), also known as '''Birnath''', is a [[Hindu]] | '''Bir Kuar''' or '''Birkuar''' ([[IAST]]: Bir-kuār), also known as '''Birnath''', is a [[Hindu]] god worshipped by [[Yadav|Yadavs]] of western [[Bihar]] in India.<ref name = "Tagare">{{cite book|last=Tagare|first=Dr. G. V.|title=Stories of Indian saints|editor=Justin E. Abbott, Narhar R. Godbole|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|page=xxxiv|chapter=Mahipati - A General Survey|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EQDyZA1y2nMC&dq=Vitthala&pg=PP42 | isbn=978-81-208-0469-2|year=1988}}</ref> He is considered to be a form of god [[Krishna]] and was born in [[Krishnaut]] clan of Ahir.<ref name = "Tagare"/> He is worshipped in form of wooden posts that depict him standing arms-akimbo. Bir Kuar is honoured as the protector of cattle. | ||
==Legend== | ==Legend== | ||
Bir Kuar's legend deals with the opposition between the cattle and the tiger and also [[impalement]] themes. | Bir Kuar's legend deals with the opposition between the cattle and the tiger and also [[impalement]] themes. Bir Kuar is also called to as "Lord of the Forest".<ref>Starza p. 108</ref> | ||
The legend of Bir Kuar says that he was an Ahir youth, who used to go deep in the forest to graze his cattle, even at night. | The legend of Bir Kuar says that he was an Ahir youth, who used to go deep in the forest to graze his cattle, even at night. He killed a tiger and hence became known as Baghaut baba. As a tiger-ghost or tiger-god, Bir Kuar protects the cattle, grazing in the forests. | ||
Ballads narrate the story of Bir Kuar or Birnath, who rescued the princess Madhumati from [[Mughal Empire]] soldiers. Madhumati was on her way to a pilgrimage to the Hindu holy city of [[Benaras]], when she saw Mughal soldiers and cried. She requested a female-kite to inform her father that she was in danger, through a letter she wrote. When kite delivered the letter to the king - father of Madhumati, the king sent Madhumati's husband Birnath with his soldiers. Birnath rode a tiger and saved the princess.<ref>Karan pp. 62-64</ref> Ballads also narrate that Bir Kuar was born in the Hindu holy city of [[Ayodhya]] and reared in [[Palamau]].<ref>Karan p. 65</ref> | Ballads narrate the story of Bir Kuar or Birnath, who rescued the princess Madhumati from [[Mughal Empire]] soldiers. Madhumati was on her way to a pilgrimage to the Hindu holy city of [[Benaras]], when she saw Mughal soldiers and cried. She requested a female-kite to inform her father that she was in danger, through a letter she wrote. When kite delivered the letter to the king - father of Madhumati, the king sent Madhumati's husband Birnath with his soldiers. Birnath rode a tiger and saved the princess.<ref>Karan pp. 62-64</ref> Ballads also narrate that Bir Kuar was born in the Hindu holy city of [[Ayodhya]] and reared in [[Palamau]].<ref>Karan p. 65</ref> | ||
==Worship== | ==Worship== | ||
Bir Kuar is often worshipped in form of wooden posts, made by carpenters from the mixed Ahir-[[Brahmin]] class. This wooden post is erected in open field to "fertilize she-buffaloes".<ref name="H126"/><ref>Starza p. 107, for images of wooden post of Bir Kuar.</ref> In these posts, he is depicted in standing arms-akimbo.<ref name = "Tagare"/> Bir Kuar is offered goat sacrifices. He is also offered clay horses, on the fulfilment of a vow.<ref name="H126"/> Bir Kuar is also worshipped in times of distress.<ref name = "K67">Karan p. 67</ref> | Bir Kuar is often worshipped in form of wooden posts, made by carpenters from the mixed Ahir-[[Brahmin]] class. This wooden post is erected in open field to "fertilize she-buffaloes".<ref name="H126">{{cite book|last=Hiltebeitel|first=Alf|authorlink=Alf Hiltebeitel|title=The Cult of Draupadī: On Hindu ritual and the goddess |publisher=University of Chicago Press|year=1991|series=The Cult of Draupadī|volume=2|pages=126|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=ZmWLsI7gbI0C&dq=Bir+Kuar&pg=PA126 | isbn=978-0-226-34048-7}}</ref><ref>Starza p. 107, for images of wooden post of Bir Kuar.</ref> In these posts, he is depicted in standing arms-akimbo.<ref name = "Tagare"/> Bir Kuar is offered goat sacrifices. He is also offered clay horses, on the fulfilment of a vow.<ref name="H126"/> Bir Kuar is also worshipped in times of distress.<ref name = "K67">Karan p. 67</ref> | ||
He is worshipped in 16-day festival called ''Sohorai'' (in October), which corresponds to festival of [[Diwali]], celebrated in honour of the Hindu goddess of prosperity - [[Lakshmi]]. Ballads describing his exploits are sung during the festival. Bir Kuar is worshipped by offering of milk and erecting his icons in open fields.<ref name = "K62ff">Karan pp. 62, 65</ref> On the new moon day in the festival, first goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Following worship of Lakshmi, Bir Kuar is worshipped in a nearby field. The cows are milked by the Ahirs and a sweet called Kshir is prepared and offered to the deity. | |||
==Associations== | ==Associations== | ||
Bir Kuar is often associated with Krishna. Bir Kuar is depicted as flute-playing cowherd like Krishna. He acts like a ferryman like Krishna, helping milkmaids cross the river and having dalliance with them.<ref>Karan pp. 64-65</ref> | Bir Kuar is often associated with Krishna. Bir Kuar is depicted as flute-playing cowherd like Krishna. He acts like a ferryman like Krishna, helping milkmaids cross the river and having dalliance with them.<ref>Karan pp. 64-65</ref> | ||
Bir Kuar is sometimes associated with the god [[Vithoba]] of Maharashtra - who is believed to be a form of Krishna too and depicted in an arms-akimbo posture like Bir Kuar.<ref name = "Tagare"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/?id=DNNgdBWoYKoC | Bir Kuar is sometimes associated with the god [[Vithoba]] of Maharashtra - who is believed to be a form of Krishna too and depicted in an arms-akimbo posture like Bir Kuar.<ref name = "Tagare"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DNNgdBWoYKoC&dq=God+Pandurang+Vithoba&pg=PA139|title=A Social History of the Deccan, 1300–1761: Eight Indian Lives|author=Eaton, Richard Maxwell|page=139|year = 2005|isbn = 0-521-25484-1|publisher = Cambridge University Press|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OkKhOivXrhgC&dq=Vitthala&pg=PA223|author = Vaudeville, Charlotte|title = The Sants: Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India|editor1=Schomer, Karine |editor2=McLeod, W. H. |pages= 223–24|year= 1987|publisher = Motilal Banarsidass Publ|isbn = 81-208-0277-2|accessdate=2008-09-20}}</ref> Images similar to Bir Kuar are found in states of Maharashtra.<ref name="MahīpatiAbbott1988">{{cite book|author1=Mahīpati|author2=Justin Edwards Abbott|author3=Narhar R. Godbole|title=Stories of Indian Saints: Translation of Mahipati's Marathi Bhaktavijaya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EQDyZA1y2nMC&pg=PR34|accessdate=30 March 2018|date=November 1988|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0469-2|pages=34–}}</ref><ref name = "Tagare"/> | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
* {{cite book|last=Karan|first= Sudhir Kumar|title=Thus Flows The Ganges|publisher=Mittal Publications|date=132|url = https://books.google.com/?id=1-i-MDQGopYC | * {{cite book|last=Karan|first= Sudhir Kumar|title=Thus Flows The Ganges|publisher=Mittal Publications|date=132|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=1-i-MDQGopYC&dq=Bir+Kuar&pg=PA62 | isbn=978-81-7099-923-2}} | ||
* {{cite book|last=Starza|first=O. M.|title=The Jagannatha Temple at Puri|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]|year=1993|url = https://books.google.com/?id=v4bV3beb0n8C&pg=RA2-PA108 | * {{cite book|last=Starza|first=O. M.|title=The Jagannatha Temple at Puri|publisher=[[Brill Publishers]]|year=1993|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=v4bV3beb0n8C&dq=Bir+Kuar&pg=RA2-PA108 | isbn=978-90-04-09673-8}} | ||
* {{cite book|author1=Mahīpati|author2=Justin Edwards Abbott|author3=Narhar R. Godbole|title=Stories of Indian Saints: Translation of Mahipati's Marathi Bhaktavijaya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EQDyZA1y2nMC&pg=PR34|date=November 1988|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0469-2|pages=34–}} | * {{cite book|author1=Mahīpati|author2=Justin Edwards Abbott|author3=Narhar R. Godbole|title=Stories of Indian Saints: Translation of Mahipati's Marathi Bhaktavijaya|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EQDyZA1y2nMC&pg=PR34|date=November 1988|publisher=Motilal Banarsidass|isbn=978-81-208-0469-2|pages=34–}} | ||
Latest revision as of 15:37, 19 November 2022
Bir Kuar or Birkuar (IAST: Bir-kuār), also known as Birnath, is a Hindu god worshipped by Yadavs of western Bihar in India.[1] He is considered to be a form of god Krishna and was born in Krishnaut clan of Ahir.[1] He is worshipped in form of wooden posts that depict him standing arms-akimbo. Bir Kuar is honoured as the protector of cattle.
Legend[edit | edit source]
Bir Kuar's legend deals with the opposition between the cattle and the tiger and also impalement themes. Bir Kuar is also called to as "Lord of the Forest".[2]
The legend of Bir Kuar says that he was an Ahir youth, who used to go deep in the forest to graze his cattle, even at night. He killed a tiger and hence became known as Baghaut baba. As a tiger-ghost or tiger-god, Bir Kuar protects the cattle, grazing in the forests.
Ballads narrate the story of Bir Kuar or Birnath, who rescued the princess Madhumati from Mughal Empire soldiers. Madhumati was on her way to a pilgrimage to the Hindu holy city of Benaras, when she saw Mughal soldiers and cried. She requested a female-kite to inform her father that she was in danger, through a letter she wrote. When kite delivered the letter to the king - father of Madhumati, the king sent Madhumati's husband Birnath with his soldiers. Birnath rode a tiger and saved the princess.[3] Ballads also narrate that Bir Kuar was born in the Hindu holy city of Ayodhya and reared in Palamau.[4]
Worship[edit | edit source]
Bir Kuar is often worshipped in form of wooden posts, made by carpenters from the mixed Ahir-Brahmin class. This wooden post is erected in open field to "fertilize she-buffaloes".[5][6] In these posts, he is depicted in standing arms-akimbo.[1] Bir Kuar is offered goat sacrifices. He is also offered clay horses, on the fulfilment of a vow.[5] Bir Kuar is also worshipped in times of distress.[7]
He is worshipped in 16-day festival called Sohorai (in October), which corresponds to festival of Diwali, celebrated in honour of the Hindu goddess of prosperity - Lakshmi. Ballads describing his exploits are sung during the festival. Bir Kuar is worshipped by offering of milk and erecting his icons in open fields.[8] On the new moon day in the festival, first goddess Lakshmi is worshipped. Following worship of Lakshmi, Bir Kuar is worshipped in a nearby field. The cows are milked by the Ahirs and a sweet called Kshir is prepared and offered to the deity.
Associations[edit | edit source]
Bir Kuar is often associated with Krishna. Bir Kuar is depicted as flute-playing cowherd like Krishna. He acts like a ferryman like Krishna, helping milkmaids cross the river and having dalliance with them.[9]
Bir Kuar is sometimes associated with the god Vithoba of Maharashtra - who is believed to be a form of Krishna too and depicted in an arms-akimbo posture like Bir Kuar.[1][10][11] Images similar to Bir Kuar are found in states of Maharashtra.[12][1]
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Tagare, Dr. G. V. (1988). "Mahipati - A General Survey". In Justin E. Abbott, Narhar R. Godbole (ed.). Stories of Indian saints. Motilal Banarsidass. p. xxxiv. ISBN 978-81-208-0469-2.
- ↑ Starza p. 108
- ↑ Karan pp. 62-64
- ↑ Karan p. 65
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Hiltebeitel, Alf (1991). The Cult of Draupadī: On Hindu ritual and the goddess. The Cult of Draupadī. Vol. 2. University of Chicago Press. p. 126. ISBN 978-0-226-34048-7.
- ↑ Starza p. 107, for images of wooden post of Bir Kuar.
- ↑ Karan p. 67
- ↑ Karan pp. 62, 65
- ↑ Karan pp. 64-65
- ↑ Eaton, Richard Maxwell (2005). A Social History of the Deccan, 1300–1761: Eight Indian Lives. Cambridge University Press. p. 139. ISBN 0-521-25484-1. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
- ↑ Vaudeville, Charlotte (1987). Schomer, Karine; McLeod, W. H. (eds.). The Sants: Studies in a Devotional Tradition of India. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. pp. 223–24. ISBN 81-208-0277-2. Retrieved 20 September 2008.
- ↑ Mahīpati; Justin Edwards Abbott; Narhar R. Godbole (November 1988). Stories of Indian Saints: Translation of Mahipati's Marathi Bhaktavijaya. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 34–. ISBN 978-81-208-0469-2. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
References[edit | edit source]
- Karan, Sudhir Kumar (132). Thus Flows The Ganges. Mittal Publications. ISBN 978-81-7099-923-2.
- Starza, O. M. (1993). The Jagannatha Temple at Puri. Brill Publishers. ISBN 978-90-04-09673-8.
- Mahīpati; Justin Edwards Abbott; Narhar R. Godbole (November 1988). Stories of Indian Saints: Translation of Mahipati's Marathi Bhaktavijaya. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 34–. ISBN 978-81-208-0469-2.
Further reading[edit | edit source]
- Archer, William George (1947). The vertical man: a study in primitive Indian sculpture.
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