छाया भगवान सूर्यदेव की पत्नी हैं जिनकी दो संतान हुई यमराज तथा यमुना। यमुना अपने भाई यमराज से बहुत स्नेह करती थी। वह उनसे सदा यह निवेदन करती थी वे उनके घर आकर भोजन करें। लेकिन यमराज अपने काम में व्यस्त रहने के कारण यमुना की बात को टाल जाते थे।
एक बार कार्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीया को यमुना ने अपने भाई यमराज को भोजन करने के लिए बुलाया तो यमराज मना न कर सके और बहन के घर चल पड़े। रास्ते में यमराज ने नरक में रहनेवाले जीवों को मुक्त कर दिया। भाई को देखते ही यमुना ने बहुत हर्षित हुई और भाई का स्वागत सत्कार किया। यमुना के प्रेम भरा भोजन ग्रहण करने के बाद प्रसन्न होकर यमराज ने बहन से कुछ मांगने को कहा। यमुना ने उनसे मांगा कि- आप प्रतिवर्ष इस दिन मेरे यहां भोजन करने आएंगे और इस दिन जो भाई अपनी बहन से मिलेगा और बहन अपने भाई को टीका करके भोजन कराएगी उसे आपका डर न रहे।
यमराज ने यमुना की बात मानते हुए तथास्तु कहा और यमलोक चले गए। तभी से यह यह मान्यता चली आ रही है कि कार्तिक शुक्ल द्वितीय को जो भाई अपनी बहन का आतिथ्य स्वीकार करते हैं उन्हें यमराज का भय नहीं रहता।
In the tapestry of Hindu traditions, the bond between a brother and sister is held in profound reverence, often celebrated with vibrant festivals. One such beautiful tale, narrated in our sacred Puranas, reveals the divine origins of Bhai Dooj, a day dedicated to this cherished sibling love, and how it came to be blessed by none other than Lord Yamraj himself.
Devi Chhaya, the revered consort of Bhagwan Suryadev, was blessed with two divine children: Lord Yamraj and Devi Yamuna. Devi Yamuna cherished her elder brother, Lord Yamraj, with immense affection. She would always lovingly entreat him to visit her home and partake in a meal. However, Lord Yamraj, ever engrossed in his sacred duties, would often defer her invitations.
Once, on the auspicious day of Kartik Shukla Dwitiya, when Devi Yamuna extended her invitation to Lord Yamraj for a meal, he could not decline and set forth for his beloved sister’s abode. En route, Lord Yamraj, in a benevolent gesture, liberated many souls dwelling in Naraka (the nether realms). Upon seeing her brother, Devi Yamuna’s heart swelled with joy, and she lovingly welcomed him with great reverence. After partaking in the meal, prepared with immense love by Devi Yamuna, Lord Yamraj was exceedingly pleased and asked his sister to express a wish. Devi Yamuna, with a heart full of devotion, requested, “May you grace my home with your presence for a meal every year on this very day. And furthermore, on this sacred day, may any brother who visits his sister, and any sister who applies a sacred Tilak to her brother and offers him a meal, be freed from the fear of Your divine judgment.”
Lord Yamraj, honoring his sister’s heartfelt plea, pronounced ‘Tathastu’ (So be it) and returned to his abode in Yamlok. From that day onwards, this sacred tradition has been observed: brothers who accept their sister’s loving hospitality on Kartik Shukla Dwitiya are believed to be blessed with freedom from the fear of Lord Yamraj.
