Jaykara Sherawali da – Bol sache darwar ki jay

Baishno Devi Maa

Devotees of Baishno Mata must have heard the slogan ‘Jaykara Sherawali da’ in ‘jagaratas’, to which every one present there answer together, ‘Bol sache darwar ki jay’ in loud and clear voice. It is a popular slogan and known to most of the devotees. In case anybody stranger to it, here is the explanation.

Jaykara means praising someone for His/Her good deed in loud voice. In this contest the ‘jaykara’ is meant for Durga Maa, who use to sit on a lion (lion is called sher in Hindi and Sherawali means the lady, who is the mistress of lion). The word ‘da’ in punjabi means ‘ka’ in Hindi which means ‘of’ in English. The slogan is heard in Baishno Devi, the abode of Baishno Mata. And since this place is dominated by Punjabi population, the words related to the Goddess are also in their language. When someone asks the other devotees to praise the mother Goddess with ‘jaykara Sherawali da’, then others should shout ‘bol sache darwar ki jay’ raising their two hands. Raising the hands symbolizes surrender. If we will surrender ourselves completely to the God with raising hands then only She/He will take care of us. Recall, till the moment Draupadi was trying to save her covering her hands the God did not came. But once she left everything on God and prayed Lord Krishna with raising hands, at once the lord tood incarnation as sarees and the strong couldn't pull her saree with his best effort.

Now come to what ‘Bol Sache Darwar Ki jay’ means. Darwar is the court of the king where every subject gets justice. Goddess Durga or Baishno Devi, who is the mistress and ruler of the universe also provides justice in Her ‘darwar’ or court. And the worldly court of justice may punish an innocent and leave a wrongdoer, but the Goddesses’ court is always true. It always offers the deserving prize or punishment. Hence devotees love to prasie about the greatness of the mother Goddess uttering ‘Bol Sache Darwar Ki Jay’ in loud voice. I have heard, Goddess Baishno Devi loves to hear the slogan from Her devotees and in return blesses them.