Raksha Bandhan | Brothers and Sisters | relationship | Festival

Raksha Bandhan

 

The Bond of Love and Protection between Brothers and Sisters

Indians have their own share of celebrations of human relationships. "Rakshabandhan" is a festival that celebrates brother-sister relationship. Rakshabandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the sacred bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. It is celebrated on the full moon day of the month of Shravan, which usually falls in the month of August. The word "Raksha" means "Protection" and "Bandhan" means "Bond". So, Rakshabandhan literally means "Bond of Protection".

Significance of Raksha Bandhan:

Raksha Bandhan is a festival of great importance in Hindu culture. It symbolizes the strong bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. The festival reinforces the values of family and togetherness. Rakshabandhan is a time to renew and strengthen the bonds of love and protection between brothers and sisters. It's a reminder that no matter how far apart they are, they'll always be there for each other.

Tying a rakhi is a symbol of love and devotion for a sister's brother. The thread is seen as a protective amulet that will protect the brother from harm. Rakshabandhan is a time for sisters to pray for the welfare of their brothers. They pray for their long life, happiness, and success. On the other hand, brothers pray for the happiness and prosperity of their sisters.

Celebration of Rakshabandhan:

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in various ways across India. However, there are some common elements that are found in most festivals. Rakhi tying is the most important aspect of the festival. Sister ties rakhi on her wrist while praying for her brother's health.

Sisters tie a thread around their brother's wrist, as a symbol of them. Out of love and in return, the brother swears to protect his sister.

The sacred thread of Raksha Bandhan is a symbol of the bond between brothers and sisters, but it also has a deeper meaning. It is a reminder that women have always looked to men for protection and help. The earliest instance of Rakhi construction occurred in 326 BC when Alexander and Porus were at war.

Alexander's wife, Roxana, used the sacred thread of Raksha Bandhan to bind Porus to her in a vow of protection. In return, the king promised not to harm her husband. Legend has it that during the battle when Porus raised his hand to give Alexander the fatal blow, he saw Rakhi and stopped.

Another famous Rakhi story in history is that of Rani Karmavati of Chittor. Faced with the threat of an invasion by Sultan Bahadur Shah of Gujarat, he asked the Mughal Emperor Humayun to send a rakhi to save his family and his kingdom. Deeply impressed, Humayun abandoned his military campaign in Bengal and rushed to her aid, but it was too late to save her. She and the women of the kingdom preferred to self-immolate rather than fall into the hands of the enemy.

The origins of Rakshabandhan are a mystery, but the festival's enduring popularity is a testament to its power to bring people together. The most famous legend concerns a war between gods and demons. The deities led by Lord Indra were on the verge of defeat.

At this time Lord Indra came to his Guru Brihaspati and sought his help. Guru Brihaspati advised tying a sacred thread infused with mantras on one's wrist on the day of Shravan Poornima. On that day Indra's wife Sachi Devi tied a thread on her wrist and the gods won the war. Since then it became customary in India for women to tie a thread around the wrists of soldiers going into battle, hoping that it would protect them and lead them to victory.

The story of Lord Vishnu and Bali is a reminder of the importance of loyalty and devotion. When one is truly loyal to their guru, even a god will come to their aid. Meanwhile, Goddess Lakshmi wanted her lord to return to her home. She went to Bali in the guise of a Brahmin and sought refuge with him saying that her husband had gone on some long errand.

Then on the day of Shravan Purnima, he tied a thread on the wrist of King Bali and wished him well. In return, he gave her a boon and the goddess asked him to return her husband. The goddess then revealed herself to the bewildered king and told him the true story. Defeated, the king asked Lord Vishnu to return to his abode with his wife. But Bhagwan could not do so despite devoting his entire life to protecting Bali. Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma were faced with a difficult decision. They had to choose between breaking their promise to Lakshmi and letting Bali be harmed. In the end, they decided to compromise. They would each guard Bali for four months so that he would always be protected.

 One of the most popular stories is about a demon named Indrajit. Who was invincible, His sister Indrani tied a rakhi on his wrist and prayed for his protection. Indrajit was so moved by her love and devotion that he promised never to harm her or her family.

It is also said that the story of Lord Yama and his sister Yamuna is also famous in the Puranas. Yamuna tied the sacred thread on Yama's wrist and granted him immortality. The story of Yama and Yamuna is a reminder of the importance of the bond between brothers and sisters. It is also a reminder that the power of love and protection can transcend even death.

Mahabharata also has a story related to Raksha Bandhan. During the Rajasuya yagna - after the death of Shishupala, Krishna's finger bled and Draupadi tore a piece of her sari and tied it to Krishna's finger to stop the flow of blood. Shri Krishna was pleased to see that Daupridi performed the timely act of any of his queens coming forward on the wound. Impressed, Krishna promised to repay her debt. It is also mentioned that Kunti tied a rakhi to her grandson Abhimanyu.

This tradition started by the gods is followed by many brothers and sisters in India. Along with the promise of love and protection, the festival has taken on rich and expensive colors, with designer rakhis becoming commonplace. Jewellery and other expensive items have replaced the more modest gifts that brothers used to give. There is evidence to suggest that this festival originated in ancient India.

The festival of Raksha Bandhan is celebrated in various ways across India. In some parts of the country, sisters tie rakhis on their brothers' wrists in the morning. Brothers then give their sisters gifts like sweets, jewelry, or money. In other parts of the country, sisters and brothers exchange gifts in the evening.

The festival is also a time for family reunions. Brothers and sisters who live far away go home to celebrate with their families. They enjoy feasting, singing, dancing, and playing games. Nevertheless, the festival retains its charm and most brothers and sisters make sure to celebrate it.

Significance of Rakshabandhan in Modern Times: Rakshabandhan is a beautiful festival that celebrates the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. It is a time for families to come together and reaffirm their relationship. The festival is a reminder of the importance of family and togetherness. Even in modern times, Rakshabandhan is an important festival in India. It is a time for families to come together and celebrate the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters. The festival is also gaining popularity in other parts of the world. In recent years, Rakshabandhan has been celebrated in countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.