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History of Deusey and Bhailo on Laxmi Puja

VoiceofSikkim

History of Deusey and Bhailo in Laxmi Puja

History of Deusey and Bhailo in Laxmi Puja- The group perfoming Bhailey, Deusey

In the Nepalese tradition Nepalese community performs deusey and bhailo rituals during laxmi  puja, the female group is called ‘Bhaile’ and male group is called ‘Deusey’. Here in this  ritual they go to each house enchanting praises and cherishing the deity all about  Beautiful eve. The male and female songs are different on tone but theme of enchanting song  are similar. Let us extract a bit of notation from male verse “Jilimili , Jilimili Deu Sir  Daan, Hami tesai ayako hoyna bali maharaja ko hukum ley hunda…goes on…” it says  houses are seeing decorated in colorful and beautiful marigold flowers with distinct aroma,  oil lights in clay cups burning like stars in night making a warm welcome appearance for  deity (Bali Maharaj) tonight and goddess of wealth Laxmi. This is a verse extracted from  ‘deusey’ and ‘bhailey’ song, who is Bali Maharaja and what is the relation of ‘bhailey’ and  ‘deusey’ with Laxmi Puja?
Once in Hindu myth there was a very good king whose name was Bali, he was a very social and  generous. The king was highly praised by the loyal people because he never said no for  those who come for a need. The lord Vishnu in heaven came to know about this famous king,  the lord Vishnu disguised in Brahmin came to the king’s palace. ‘The king said O holy  Brahmin how come you are here, what can I do for you please let me know’, Vishnu knew that  King is very generous and the king would certainly not deny for whatever he will ask for. Brahmin replied, O majesty I need to ask you something I ensure you will not deny my  prayer,  the king said no way ask anything you want or even my life I shall not deny or let  you off without giving.  The Brahmin said, ‘all I need is just three steps of land that I  cover with my foot’, the king said that is very small need you have anyways go on I give  you now. Since the Brahmin is none other than a lord Vishnu, king did not know about it at  all.  The Brahmin grew up like a massive giant and put one foot on ground covering whole land on earth and another foot  on the sky, Brahmin said where do I keep my last foot O majesty! The king said bowed and  put his forehead before and said please keep your foot on my head.
Unveiled his disguise Brahmin said to the king he was a Vishnu, he was tricking to see how much generous the majesty was. Lord Vishnu was very much impressed to see the king’s loyalty and generosity, Vishnu said ask a boon what can I give you? The king said once in a year  I want to visit my people and see how much happy they are ?
This ends to the clue why people cherish during the tihar (laxmi puja) and wanders all way one house to another enchanting the generosity of the great king and welcome him once in a year with lighting and marigold. Eventually ‘deusey’ and ‘bhailey’ is mimicking a Brahmin in the story and visiting each and every house to envisage if people are generous like that of Bali Maharaja!

The familiy member of the house  with generosity welcomes the group performing ‘deusey’ and ‘bhailey’ , family offers groups with gifts and money (Daan , Dakshina)  on a beautifully decorated ‘Nanglo’ with burning oil light on clay cups, smeared with marigold flowers, fox bread etc.  The group happily leaves the house blessing with prosperity, health and lucks in coming days towards the family living in the house.

It is often said in blessing let the family members of house heart be big as Nanglo.  ‘Nanglo’ is a type of big round plate hand made traditional bamboo craft which Nepalese Hindu family uses while skimming rice grains.

- Jilimili, Jilimili
Deu Sir* Daan

*Sir is head in nepali language

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