Curious 6th Grader Asks: Why Do We Say "Bhai-Bhai" and Not "Behn-Behn"? How Would You Respond?

My neighbor's daughter, studying in the 6th class, asked the following question to her father:
"Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Esai
Aapas me hai 'bhai-bhai'"

Why is it "bhai-bhai" only?
Why not "behn-behn"?
Can anyone provide the answer?

The writer would have considered the rhyming words to meet the expectations of the country. This is my assumption only.

In my opinion, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Isa show masculinity, not femininity. For example, Indian words exhibit masculinity, while Bharat words demonstrate femininity. This is why we often refer to it as Bharat Mata and not Bharat Pita Ji.

Regarding the use of masculine and feminine nouns, that's why we say bhai-2 and not behn-2.

Hi Parasuram,

Because it's always men who quarrel and fight. Ladies don't often quarrel and fight like men. That's why :P. I hope your doubt is cleared..:)

Thank you all for sharing your view.

In case it is used to desist one from fighting within the brothers, then also I am not in a position to satisfy the student with this answer. Because we are generally using similar words in other fields also like:

a) to refer our HR site members collectively as "HR brethren,"
b) "atma-atma bhai-bhai,"
c) sometimes females also use the words "are bhai," "nahi bhai" while talking with other females. In Telugu also "na valla kadu babu" and "beyond my capacity" etc.

So, I think the fighting term is not appropriate here.

Regards,

Hi,

I think because India is a male-dominated society, it uses Bhai-Bhai instead of bhen-bhen because usually in foreign countries they use brothers and sisters for everything. That's what I think.

Regards,
Anu

Hi Anu,

Though I don't want to argue in this matter, still I think Indian culture has given more importance to females. "Vande Mataram," "Mother country," "Mother land," "Mother tongue," etc. represent a female-dominated society. "Sita-Ram," "Radhe-Shyam," "Uma-Shankar," "Gouri-Shankar," "Lakshmi-Narayana," etc. all represent females first and then males. In ancient times, the three major powers - Finance, Knowledge, and Armaments were symbolized by goddesses Sri Lakshmi, Sri Saraswati, and Sru Durga, respectively, all of whom are female.

On the other hand, foreigners say "Father Country," and the English word "History" comes from "His+story." Therefore, in my opinion, Indian culture cannot be blamed for using the term "bhai-bhai."

Regards,
Anu

Dear friends, I think that if we approach this discussion with maturity, we should focus on the objective rather than getting caught up in gender-related issues. The main goal here is to support each other and contribute to each other's growth. Regardless of gender, we should all adopt this mindset. Let's stay focused on the objective, which is simply about finding rhyming words for me. :)

I welcome your advice Vijeta. Simultaneously, I think one's mistake or false impression can be rectified only through sharing of views. We don't know under what circumstances one expresses his/her views. If suppressed, he/she may be further disappointed. Anyhow, thank you for your alert advice.

Final answer for why

"Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Esai
Aapas me hai bhai-bhai"

And why not "behn-behn"?


Though I am not aware, whether “community” is consider as male or female, as per Hindi Grammar (as posted by Abhishek), but in spiritual terms, the community and its members, irrespective of gender (soul the children of God) were considered as male.

In India as well as in most other countries, property is inherited from father to son. Son is made responsible to see that his parents, wife and children live in a healthy, wealthy and peaceful environment. He knows that God is the ultimate owner of all these possessions. With the anticipation of these properties as inheritance from God, he venerates Him as God Father / Supreme Parents.

As a physical (body) form, we have individual parents, but as souls we are the children of God. Though soul can be termed as either gender, but keeping the unlimited property as inheritance from God Father in mind, soul is termed as male and accordingly we are all brothers.

Hence it is “Bhai-Bhai”