The mysterious Hijras

 

The mysterious Hijras

 

On their way from Bangladesh to Myanmar, Mr. Agudenba and the girl Dawa came to a strange village where some of the "mysterious" Hijra people of Bangladesh lived.

Bangladesh, located in the eastern part of the South Asian subcontinent, is a country full of mystery and diversity. In this country, there is one group that has aroused widespread interest and curiosity: the Hijra people of Bangladesh. The Hijra people have a special social status and cultural background in Bangladesh. They are neither identified as men nor women, but are regarded as a unique third gender.

At this time, a transport team organized by merchants passed by and was resting by the river. Ragiz, the leader of the group, told Mr. Agudumba: The Hijras here are messengers of God and will bless the newcomers with many children and good fortune.

Ragiz told Mr. Agudemba and the girl Dawa:

The origin of the Hijras can be found in Ramayana, one of the two great epics of India. "Ramayana" was completed around the 5th century BC. It is said that Prince Rama, a god in the hearts of Indians, gave up the throne, left his wife and brother, and went into self-exile for 14 years. In the forest he practiced hard and gained divine power. During the years of Prince Rama's cultivation, all the male and female servants left Rama, except for one castrated servant who waited for 14 years until his master returned. This servant became the ancestor of the Hijra people.

Another theory comes from another Indian epic "Mahabharata".

Legend has it that two factions of Saawali's descendants competed for the throne. During the war, due to military needs, they had to find a human sacrifice. As a result, Alafan was chosen. Although he only had one day left to live, Alafan asked for a wedding, but no woman was willing. She became a widow, so the male god Krishna descended from the sky in the form of a woman and spent one night as husband and wife with Aravan. Therefore, Hijra praises Arafan partly because one party in the marriage is a man and one party is a woman transformed into a man. In addition, Hijra praises Arafan because he is a victim and victim of society. Hijras all over India will participate in the celebration at a place called Kuvagan (the only place where Aravān is worshiped), marry Aravān, and become a widow the next day.

The existence of the Hijras can be traced back thousands of years to the Indian subcontinent. According to ancient Hindu mythology, the god Ganesha had his genitals cut off and then used it to give certain people in Bangladesh a special gender identity. Therefore, Hijras are considered to be beings associated with the divine and mystical in Bangladesh.

The so-called Hijra group in India has a long history and was recorded as early as in the Kama Sutra. All castrated men, transvestites, intersex people, and transsexuals are considered hijras. They have to go through the most brutal challenge, to remove all male characteristics and undergo an operation called nirvana, which means rebirth. The entire process of gender reassignment includes preparation, surgery and recovery. They pray to Bahuchara Mata and wait for a positive sign - a coconut shell to crack. If there is no cleft, it means that you are not ready for gender reassignment.

Because the Hijras have been blessed by Rama from the beginning, Indian tradition believes that the Hijras have magical powers and are auspicious people who can bring good luck and drive away bad luck, and those who are cursed by them are Will lose sexual ability. Those who join the ranks of the Hijras believe that they are women, so people call these people "Hijras" and refer to them as "she" or "they".

Ragiz said:

"Hijras" have a relatively high status in Indian religion. In the past, they mainly danced and prayed for the royal family, nobles and the army. In places such as Rajasthan and Gujarat in northern India, "Hijras" are indispensable at weddings, because people believe that they are messengers of God and will bless the couple with many children and good fortune. They can also be seen dancing at the place where babies are born. I once saw the scene of Hijras blessing newborn babies. The boy was only a few days old and his family held a celebration ceremony for him. Relatives and friends sat around the courtyard, clapping their hands and singing songs to bless the newborn. Then a Hijras picked up the baby, put her hands on his head and said: "This child will live a long life and have many descendants in the future. He will be blessed by God." After that, she jumped up holding the baby in her arms. A strange dance. The child's grandmother said: "The blessings of Hijras are auspicious. I received their blessings when I got married, so I gave birth to many sons." A Hijras said to me: In this land, We preach the gospel of God to all people, and we are happy to bless those who invite us, whether rich or poor. In rural areas, they are paid in “sari”, sugar and wheat flour.

Ragiz continued:

In India, Hijras are a group that has existed since ancient times. The male-male combination of Shiva, the main god in Hinduism, and Parvati, the snow-capped mountain goddess, is called Hijra and has always been regarded as the most ideal gender. Many hijras were once highly respected figures locally and even nationally. In ancient India, many castrated men held prominent positions in the court, similar to the prevalence of eunuchs in ancient China.

Mr. Agudumba and the Dawa girl were very surprised when they heard what Rajiz told about Hijra.

Rajiz told Agudenba: Hijras would often recite the "Double Mantra". The "Double Mantra" was derived from "The Sayings of the Kadam Patriarch" and was passed down to Atisha by Tara. Its merits can make people chant... The chanting increases ten million times. When you wake up in the morning and recite this day, all your wishes will come true. If you recite it before going to bed, you will see good dreams. If you recite it during war, you will be victorious in all directions. If you recite it beforehand, all your wishes will be fulfilled. If you recite it regularly, you will be blessed with longevity, virtue, wealth, and good fortune. All your wishes come true.

Rajiz began to close his eyes and recite the "Ode to the Auspicious Eight Saints":

 

Buzz

The present self-nature is pure and allowed to be fulfilled, and it dwells in the auspicious lands of the ten directions.

All Buddhas, Dharma, Sangha and saints, bow to all and wish us good luck.

Buddha, the King of Damps, a virtuous, brave and accomplished Buddha, a compassionate, strict and virtuous Buddha.

All meanings hold the vast name of Buddha, such as the holy power of Mount Sumeru and the name of virtue.

I cherish the memory of all sentient beings named Virtuous Buddha, and the mighty and auspicious name of the Wishful Buddha

Just hearing the holy name increases virtue and auspiciousness, and the eight auspicious virtues of good deeds are saluted

Manjushri, the virtuous Vajrapani, the holy Avalokitesvara, Lord Cishi

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva removes obstacles, and the Holy Samantabhadra Bodhisattva hides in the void.

Green Lotus Vajra White Lotus Naga Tree, Ruyi Mani Sword Sun Moon Wheel

Holding the sign of good auspiciousness and supreme virtue, the eight great Bodhisattva warriors salute

The auspicious golden fish with the special umbrella, the happy lotus in the wishful vase

The joyful sound of the conch completes the auspicious knot, and the immortal and triumphant building is the golden wheel of freedom.

The special symbol of the eight auspicious treasures, offering to all the Buddhas in the ten directions and three generations.

Merely reciting the words of the Holy Women of Joy will increase your auspiciousness, and the eight auspicious goddesses will bow to you.

The Great Brahma and the Great Self-Heaven pervade the heavens, the Thousand-Eyed Emperor Sakyamuni and the Heavenly King Shiguo

The King of Growth, the Dragon King, has a wide eye in the sky, and the King of Hearing, each holds a treasure in the sky.

Trident, short spear, vajra, lute, sword, pagoda and tower.

The three realms are enriched with goodness and auspiciousness. The eight great protectors of the world salute.

With all the undertakings we have done now, all obstacles, troubles and annoyances have been eliminated.

May all your wishes come true, may all your wishes come true, and may all your wishes be fulfilled.