Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu
festival that celebrates the love and duty between brothers and sisters; the
festival is also popularly used to celebrate any brother-sister like
relationship between men and women who are relatives or biologically unrelated. It is called Rakhi Purnima, or simplyRakhi,
in many parts of India. The
festival is observed by Hindus, Jains, and many Sikhs.Raksha Bandhan is
primarily observed in India Mauritius and parts of Nepal It is also
celebrated by Hindus and Sikhs in parts ofPakistan and by some people
of Indian origin around
the world.
Raksha
Bandhan is an ancient festival, and has many myths and historic legends linked
to it. For example, the Rajput queens practised the custom of sending rakhi threads to neighbouring
rulers as token of brotherhood.On Raksha Bandhan, sisters tie a rakhi (sacred thread) on her brother's
wrist. This symbolizes the sister's love and prayers for her brother's well-being,
and the brother's lifelong vow to protect her. The
festival falls on the full
moon day
(Shravan Poornima) of the Shravan month of the Hindu
lunisolar calendar.
Rakhi is a sacred thread embellished with
sister's love and affection for her brother. On the day of Raksha Bandhan,
sisters tie rakhi on the wrists of their brothers and express their love to
them. After receiving the rakhi from a sister, a brother sincerely takes the
responsibility of protecting her sister. In Indian tradition, the frangible
thread of rakhi is considered even stronger than an iron chain as it strongly
binds a brothers and a sisters in the circumference of mutual love and trust.
Any Indian festival seems to be incomplete
without the traditional Indian festivities, such as gathering, celebrations,
exchange of sweets and gifts, lots of noise, singing and dancing. Festivals are
the celebration of togetherness as being as a united family and the festival
"Raksha Bandhan" is not an exception of this.
The love and self
actuation towards a novel cause between a brother and his sister is the theme
of this great festivals. It is a festival that is mainly celebrated by the
people of Northern and Western part of India, but people from other parts also
celebrate this festival with same alacrity. Although, the mode of celebration
may differ from region to region, but the central theme of this great festival
remain same.
As far as the
traditions and rituals are concerned, sisters prepare the "pooja
thali" with diyas, roli, chawal and rakhis. They worship the goddesses,
ties rakhis on the wrists of their brother(s), and wishes for their well being.
On the other hand, the brothers acknowledge their love with a promise that they
will remain by their sisters' side and protect them from every fall and down
throughout the life. Brothers also give token gifts to their sisters.
From ancient period
of time, this festivals has been celebrated in the same manner and tradition.
As the lifestyle of people has been changing with passing time, therefore,
today, this festival is being celebrated elaborately. This day fosters a
undying and divine relationship among the siblings. Far off physical location
may sometime bring an abstract feeling among the siblings, and this auspicious
day provides a link to bring them together. The joyous meeting, the rare family
get- together, the erstwhile feeling of brotherhood and sisterhood call for a
massive celebration.
The sisters tie a
sacred thread of love to their brothers amongst chanting of mantras, put roli
and rice on their forehead and pray for their well being. Sisters bestow their
brothers with gifts and blessings. Brother also wish them a good life and
pledge to take care of them. Brothers give their sisters return gifts. The gift
is the acknowledgment of his love for his sister, reminder of their
togetherness and a symbol of his pledge. There are several historical
evidences, which remind us about the significance of this festival and every
time, this festival emphasizes the same values which have been mingled along
with the festival.
Myths and parables
The
scriptures, epics and ancient fiction of Hinduism is peppered with stories ofRakhi and Raksha
Bandhan. Some of these include:
Indra Dev
According
to Hindu scripture Bhavishya Purana,
in the war between Gods and demons, Indra - the deity of sky, rains and
thunderbolts - was disgraced by the powerful demon King Bali Indra’s wife Sachi consulted Vishnu, who gave her a bracelet made
of cotton thread, calling it holy. Sachi tied the holy thread around
Indra wrist, blessed with her prayers for his well being and success. Indra
successfully defeated the evil and recovered Amaravati. This story inspired the
protective power of holy thread.The story also suggests that the Raksha Bandhan
thread in ancient India were amulets
used by women as prayers and to guard men going to war, and that these threads
were not limited to sister-brother like relationships.
King Bali and Goddess Laxmi
According
to this legend, credited to Hindu scriptures Bhagavata
Purana and Vishnu Purana after
Vishnu won the three worlds from the demon King Bali, he was asked by Bali that
Vishnu live in his palace, a request Vishnu granted. Vishnu's wife, Goddess Lakshmi did not like the palace or his
new found friendship with Bali, and preferred that her husband and she return
to Vaikuntha. So she went to
Bali, tied a Rakhi and made him a brother. Bali asked her
what gift she desired. Lakshmi asked that Vishnu be freed from the request that
he live in Bali's palace. Bali consented, as well accepted her as his sister.
Santoshi Ma
Ganesh had two sons, Shubh and Labh. On
Raksha Bandhan, Ganesh's sister visited and tied a Rakhi on Ganesh's wrist. The two boys become
frustrated that they have no sister to celebrate Raksha Bandhan with. They ask
their father Ganesh for a sister, but to no avail. Finally, saint Narada
appears who persuades Ganesh that a daughter will enrich him as well as his
sons. Ganesh agreed, and created a daughter named Santoshi Ma by divine flames
that emerged from Ganesh's wives, Rddhi (Amazing) and Siddhi (Perfection). Thereafter, Shubh Labh
(literally "Holy Profit") had a sister named Santoshi Ma (literally "Goddess
of Satisfaction"), who loved and protected each other.
Krishna and Draupadi
Raksha
Bandhan is celebrated in some Hindu, Jain and Sikh communities outside India.
Above, Rakhi tied to a man's wrist in Mauritius
Krishna
considered Draupadi his sister. When Krishna cut his finger while beheading
Shishupal, Draupadi immediately tore off a piece of her sari and bandaged his
cut. Krishna said that with this loving act, she wrapped him in debt and he
would repay each “thread” when the time arrives. Indeed, whenever Draupadi
needed Krishna’s protection she fervently prayed for his help, he came to the
rescue and gave her unlimited cloth. This is one of the stories of the origin
of the Raksha Bandhan festival
In the
epic Mahabharat Draupadi tied a Rakhi to Krishna,
while Kunti tied herRakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu, before the
great war.
Yama and the Yamuna
According
to another legend, Yama the god
of Death had not visited his sisterYamuna for
12 years. Yamuna, the goddess of Yamuna river, was sad and consulted Ganga, the
goddess of Ganga river. Ganga reminded Yama of his sister, upon which Yama
visits her. Yamuna was overjoyed to see her brother, and prepared a bounty of
food for Yama. The god Yama was delighted, and asked Yamuna what she wanted for
gift. She wished that he, her brother should return and see her again soon. Yama
was moved by his sister's love, agreed and to be able to see her again, made
river Yamuna immortal. This legend is the basis for a Raksha Bandhan-like
festival called Bhai Duj in some parts of India, which also celebrates
brother-sister love, but near Diwali
Some sweet poems of rakhi
A part of my soul, a part of my heart,
Dear Brother, we are together in spirit even when apart
You guide me for every step I take,
And stop me before I make a mistake,
With my Rakhi, I send you love
that will bring you health and good luck.
******************************************
You were there for me when I was young,
You were there to protect me when I was adventurous,
You were there to guide me when I was confused,
I am what I am because of you and all I want to say
is Thank
you.
I tie this Rakhi and pray for you,
May you have good health and remain strong,
Achieve prosperity and live for long.
*************************************
|
