What is the science behind Sarhul? you also know

Dr. Abhaysagar Minj

Sirhul: Many such activities are seen in tribal culture which shows that they are very close to their nature. Sarhul is one of the many nature loving activities of the tribals. The rituals performed in this festival are very interesting and meaningful in themselves. When we look at them closely, we come to know about the science and concepts hidden behind them.

New life is possible only through water and sun

Talking about the faith of Sarhul, the tribals see this natural festival as the marriage of Sun and Earth. There are various tribes in Jharkhand and when we look at their beliefs and creation, the legends of all of them appear to be similar. Where the earth or Prithvi has been seen as a mother and the Sun has been seen as a father. Marriage means new creation of life. Tribal society understands from its thousands of years of experience that if there is life on Earth then the Sun plays an essential role in it. Before Sarhul in Jharkhand, the whole earth starts looking red with Palash and Sember flowers. This red color is a symbol of youth. This is a sign that now the time has come for the marriage of Sun and Earth, then just as the yellow color of turmeric is important at the time of marriage, similarly yellow flowers of Sakhuva start appearing all around. With the arrival of Sarhul, flowers appear in the branches of Sakhuva tree, new buds and new leaves appear. After autumn, new life begins to flow into the environment. Just as marriage is the beginning of a new life, similarly in Sarhul also the energy of the sun infuses new life into the earth. The tribal society may not be familiar with the technical chemical process of ‘photosynthesis’ or photosynthesis, but within their indigenous knowledge they knew very well that new life is possible only through soil (earth), water and sun.

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Nature worship in Sarhul is not limited to marriage only.

Nature worship in Sarhul is not limited to marriage only. When you celebrate traditional Sarhul in any village, you get to see a different process. A day before Sarhul, Pahan or Baiga keep water in an earthen pot at the Sarna site and leave it there overnight. The next day, during the fast, go to the Sarna place and check the water level in the pitcher. The level of water in the pitcher is used to determine how much rainfall will occur that year. Pahan makes predictions about rain. If the water level in the pitcher is low then it indicates that there will be less rainfall that year. If the water level remains the same or falls to some extent then it indicates that the rainfall will be fine. He doesn’t make this prediction just like that, there is science behind it too. Religious leaders understand the level of humidity in the air by looking at the level of the pot. If the air is dry, it will absorb more water and the water level in the pitcher will go down. Due to dry air and lack of humidity, rainfall will be limited. If there is more humidity in the air then it will absorb less water from the pitcher. This is a simple observation based science but is very logical.

Not praying for any particular person or for oneself

What the religious leaders then say to the ancestors is a good example of ‘live and let live’. They ‘roar’ for all the living and non-living beings of the earth in anti-clockwise direction in a circular sequence at one place in Sarna with the power of Sun, Earth and Nature etc. In this sequence the religious leaders complete 360 ​​degrees. Remembering their ancestors and the Adi Shakti in every direction, they pray with love for the fields, barns, cows, trees, plants, rivers, streams, forests, mountains, rain, animals, birds, moon, stars, etc. Tribal society is such where there is no prayer for any particular person or for oneself. He prays for everyone beyond selfishness.

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Hunting and eating forest fruits and flowers are forbidden.

Hunting and eating forest fruits and flowers are prohibited for some time before Sarhul. Even breaking ‘Datun-Patai’ is prohibited. There is a very simple science behind this – at this time the living beings are in the process of reproduction and conception. Datun-Patai, fruits and flowers of the forest are still in bud stage. Therefore they are left to develop fully.

Sacrifice of chicken during Sarhul festival

Hen is sacrificed during Sarhul festival. There is a strong tribal knowledge behind this process too. In ancient times, when a part of the forest was chosen to establish a village, the tribal societies were apprehensive about the man-eating animals in that unknown area. Therefore, a chicken was tied and kept in that forest. The next day, when people went to that part of the forest and the cock was found intact, it was believed that the area was safe and a new village could be established there. Following the same procedure, even today a chicken is sacrificed at the time of Sarhul and the ancestors are thanked.

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In the course of construction of the village, elections for Sarna site also

During the construction of the village, selection was also made for the Sarna site. It was a common practice among the tribals that when they made the forests near the village suitable for farming, a part of the same forest was left intact. Scientifically, this holy site which was located near the village, actually met the ecological needs of the society. The trees and other objects at this site were considered sacred and any kind of daily work was prohibited in this area. Due to this, the existence of micro organisms continues.

Crab and fishing process in Sarhul

Crab and fishing process can also be seen in Sarhul. Religious leaders catch crabs and fish only during fasting. Then they are kept with other seeds right on the stove in the kitchen of the house. Before paddy is planted, these are mixed with manure and put back into the field. Crab has an important place in tribal belief. Crabs and fish are such creatures which have innumerable offspring. It is believed that just as crabs and fish have innumerable offspring, similarly the crops planted should also be in abundance. From a scientific point of view, it is an established fact that crabs and fish maintain the fertility of the field. The paddy field in which there are fish will be healthy. Fish present in the fields feed on parasites that are harmful to paddy.

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what happens after sarhul

Right after Sarhul, people plant paddy seeds in a small part of their fields. This indicates that now the permission to use the plow and bull has been approved by the Adi Shakti and the ancestors. Through this small farm, the society also signals the coming weather and rain. For them, this is the tool and method to study weather and climate.

Apart from natural and religious importance, Sarhul is a symbol of social unity.

Apart from the natural and religious importance of Sarhul, it is also a symbol of social unity. This is a time when social bonds are deepened again. People go from one village to another to visit their relatives and make it with full enthusiasm. But today changes are taking place rapidly in villages also. Where this great festival was celebrated on different days in different villages, now it has started being celebrated on the same day. This has an adverse effect on mutual relations. Now society is becoming individual. This great festival has become limited to cooking and eating at one’s own home. Not only this, traditional musical instruments and songs are also becoming mechanized. When people do not play music and sing songs, a “silent” society will be created.