Dear Editor,
Banwahree also spelt Banvari/Banwari (Sanskrit), is one of the numerous names given to a most celebrated Hindu avatar, Lord Krisna (closest parallel to the Western mind is Christ, the Saviour). ‘Banvari’ means ‘the one living in the groves of Vrindavan,’ where Lord Krisna grew up as a youth (at least 1500 years before Jesus. Note the etymological similarity between Krisna and Christ).
In the Guyanese/Caribbean context of ‘Bear yo’ chafe like Banwahree’ it likely refers to Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan Hill above a flood so as to save the local residents, their livestock and so, their livelihood. As Lord Krishna was holding up the weighty land mass until the flood subsided, so one is expected ‘Bear one’s chafe like Banwari.’
For this function, Lord Krishna is actually referred to as Govardhanchalo Dhartreya; but for ease and simplicity in the Guyanese/ Caribbean setting He is referred to simply as ‘Banwahree (Banwari).’
Please see link below for the latter and dozens of other names for Lord Krishna.
http://www.krishnajanmashtami.com/different-names-krishna.html
Now, the question would likely arise as to why there are so many names for a person. Sanskrit is a very precise language (Bill Gates noted it could be a computer language), so the names are context-specific as a perusal of the names and meanings will bear out. Similarly, the sun has dozens of names, depending on its function in the context. Note, as well, where in the West we speak of grandfather and grandmother, whether maternal or paternal, in Hindi (patterned after Sanskrit) we have (paternal) ‘Aja’ and ‘Ajee’ and (maternal) ‘Nana’ and ‘Nanee.’
Yours faithfully,
Veda Nath Mohabir
