'Hukumdar!'

"HUKUMDAR!"Hukumdar? well, no one really remembers about this anymore.
This was an Indian sentry's call and challenge to the shadows in the night, as they patrolled.
What an odd word! Is it really? Well, not really.
It is an aberration of the very British "Who come thar?!" to unknown people encountered in poorly lit places. The Indian sentry perhaps not understanding the English words or perhaps for the ease of utterance, came up with this aberration.
     A few weeks after Durga Puja, comes a beautiful full moon night. This is a very special full moon night because who should come calling on her faithful, than Ma Laxmi herself, fondly called Ma Lokkhi in Bangla! Ma Lokkhi is the Goddess of Wealth and Prosperity. She is also the bestower of Graces and and Beauty. Unlike her somewhat quarrelsome and sometimes uppity sister Ma Saraswati, Lokkhi is the modest, pleasantly mannered spouse of Lord Vishnu. Her visit is enthusiastically celebrated with all things that are symbols of wealth. The big account ledgers are closed for a day dedicated to Her for the day. People buy gold, give gifts of money and cereals. Housewives make special dishes such as coconut fudge called 'narkeler naru', a rice pudding called 'payesh' and a fry bread called 'luchi'. The front steps of the houses are decorated with rice flour paintings called 'Alpona' with motifs of sheaves of rice, conch shells, lotuses, flowering creepers and the most endearing little footprints of Ma Lokkhi (always pointing to enter the abode; never, never, leaving).
     Comes the night and if the skies are not overcast, there rises a huge full moon, bathing the earth in a benign silver light! As She travels from door to door, only those who are awake are blessed. So, lest She come, all struggle to stay awake, playing cards and eating, reluctant to pass up such a sure shot for good fortunes.
     And how does She know who is awake? Only the faithful will hear her call," Ko Jagori?" ('Who is awake?'). Hence, this special full moon night is called Kojagori Purnima.
What one does not know, is whether her measure of blessings would be the same if She asked, "Ko Jagori?" and someone rudely answered "Hukumdar!"
Posted by LinaS at 12:39 AM

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